17. City of London Thames Fishery Research Experiment, 8 October 2022




 

The Thames Fishery Research Experiment started in 1967 and has been held every year from 1972.  The objective is to establish the environmental condition of the Thames through determining the number and size of fish species returning to the river at Gravesend, during a four-hour period on an incoming tide.  

73 anglers representing eleven teams took part this year - eight adult teams and three teams of school-age anglers.  Anglers caught 879 fish of nine species.  This is the second highest number of fish in the event’s 50 year history (beaten only by a catch of 882 fish in 2005) and the highest number of species since 2005.  The Thames Warden Martin Bigg presented the Biodiversity Award on behalf of the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators to the Essex County Angling Team. 

It was very interesting hearing from the anglers how the variety of fish has changed due to climate change.

Support is also received from the Port of London Authority and the Fishmongers’ Company.

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