Rick 67, a retired insurance broker from Benfleet in Essex, picked up the main trophy, the Fishmongers’ Cup (individual), which was presented by the Deputy Mayor of Gravesham, Clr Derek Sales for landing the largest and/or best fish – a 9lb cod.
Rick insisted he got lucky as he was fishing for whiting with lugworm and said:
“It was the biggest fish I’ve ever caught here, and I’ve been fishing here since 1973!”
The final results saw a total of one cod, two pouting, three dab, 24 flounder and 520 whiting caught by the competitors from the estuary stretch of the Thames.
John Tomlinson, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Port Health and Environmental Services committee – which runs the event, said:
“We can see a general improvement in the health of the Thames year on year, and we are looking forward to even bigger and better improvements in the future.
Although the weather was really quite atrocious the fishermen were totally brave and resolute. They caught a good quantity of fish and it was a very successful, happy day – but not for the fish I suppose!”
The Deputy Mayor of Gravesham, Clr Derek Sales, who presented the Fishmongers’ Cup trophy, said:
“I’m delighted that the health of the River Thames in the Gravesend area has continued to improve.”
The overall objective of the experiment is to establish the environmental condition of the Thames through determining the number and size of fish species returning to the river. Judging is based on the greatest number and the most diverse variety of fish caught with all but the prime specimens being returned to the river. All information gathered is shared with the Thames Angling Preservation Society, Environment Agency and members of the river community.
OTHER RESULTS
The Lady Howard Trophy – won by the Public Services Team
Eight adult teams of anglers competed for the Trophy – awarded to the team with the highest score – calculated by awarding points for fish caught against an agreed scoring system. Other angling teams that took part included the Charles Stanley team, Essex County, Kent County, the PLA, and a Thamesiders team.
PLA Schools Trophy – won by Gravesend Grammar School
The City of London School, the City of London School for Girls and Gravesend Grammar School competed for the PLA Schools Trophy – with Gravesend coming out on top. The best individual catch by a school team was won by Matthew Perry of Gravesend Grammar.
Bio-diversity award – won by the PLA Angling Team
The Bio-diversity Award – sponsored by the Worshipful (Livery) Company of Water Conservators was won by Phil Baxter for catching the widest range of species which consisted of Whiting, Pouting and Flounder.
The City of London Thames Fishery Research Experiment is organised in collaboration with the Thames Angling Preservation Society and the Environment Agency and receives additional funding from the Fishmongers’ Company and the Port of London Authority.
