What all the recent reports on the state of the River Sid have looked at is the need to have an accurate idea of how many fish there are – which needs all sorts of measuring and monitoring along the Sid, something which has been taken up in earnest these last two years.
The 2024 River Sid Engagement Report from the River Sid Catchment Group is the latest report – and it too considers the importance of measuring and monitoring the waters, including ‘counting fish’ on the Sid.
Back in 2022, the idea of reinstating surveying fish with electro-fishing was explored, as it “tells us a whole host of information about the fish” – and last year and again this year, surveying fish along the Sid with electro-fishing resumed.
“Electro-fishing this morning on the main river and tributaries as part of the assessment of the whole catchment of the Sid.” More species monitoring on the Sid,… – River Sid Catchment Group | Facebook
Ed Dolphin of the River Sid Catchment Group gave an excellent overview of these surveys in the latest SVA magazine. The opening to his piece is provided here with permission of both the author and the publisher, gratefully received.
But do click on the link Electro-fishing, who lives in our river? for the full piece on the SVA website!
The River Sid Catchment Group is working to improve the catchment of the River Sid, its biodiversity and its impact on the landscape. Volunteers are collaborating with local organisations including the SVA, other landowners around the valley, and professional organisations such as the Westcountry Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency. The Catchment Group’s early work is mainly investigating and recording what we have, including nature surveys such as monitoring river invertebrates, and assessments of run off and erosion caused by heavy rain. As part of this, the group commissioned a survey of the fish populations using electrofishing at various points on the river including the SVA’s stretch beside Gilchrist Field. The first assessment was in September 2023 and there was a follow up session in mid-September 2024.
The overall outcome so far is that the Sid catchment has many sites that could be a good home for healthy fish, but the actual fish population is well below its potential. This echoes the outcome of the 2013-14 Living River Project, a collaboration between SVA, Devon Biological Records Centre and Devon Wildlife Trust
Electro-fishing, who lives in our river?
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