Projects supported to date:
Stocking of the River Dane
Following pollution of the river the BS made a grant to a local club to help establish barbel populations.
Stocking of the River Aire
The BS made a grant to a small club to help improve barbel populations on the river.
Stour Barbel Project
In partnership with local clubs and the EA the Society raised over five thousand pounds towards habitat improvement works on the river,involving the reintroduction of gravels and construction of fry bays.
Work on a weir at Throop was recently completed, and further works are planned.
The EA and the BS placed 9000 small barbel into the middle reaches of the river in the last three years as part of the project.
Arborfield Weir Project
The Society provided several thousand pounds worth of gravel and materials to support this EA led Award winning project on the River Loddon.
Bransford Project
The Society worked in partnership with the EA and consultants to skylight a stretch of the Teme near Worcester, bringing life-giving light to the river as well as providing improved bank stability. Unstable willows were pollarded and coppiced and woody debris placed in the river along with planting of fresh willow pollards to retain bank collapse.
St. Patrick’s Steam Project
The Society paid for a fish survey and report on this Thames tributary and will support the resulting habitat works.
Bournemouth University Research Project
The Society has funded a major piece of research work, which involves a review of all current barbel research work and tank experiments into competition between barbel and other species, both of which have now been published.
The University is also carrying out a scale reading study using scales provided by the EA and BS members. This study will be the largest of its kind and will provide information on growth rates and population structure for many UK rivers.
A database of all available barbel-related research is to be compiled over time by the University.
Barbel and gravels
The Society is helping to fund a PhD student researching the effects of barbel on gravel mobility and structure.
River Cherwell Project
The Society is working in partnership with the EA and The Wild Trout Trust, providing funding to provide instream cover for fish on this Thames tributary in the form of large tree trunks, woody debris and live hanging willows.
Hampshire Avon habitat works
Using funds raised in conjunction with the Avon Roach Project the Society has removed redundant iron pilings from the river and has several thousand pounds earmarked for further habitat improvements.
Barbel Society Handling Code
With help from film maker Hugh Miles the Society will be producing a DVD and downloadable resources to help educate anglers in the safe handling of barbel, which will be provided free to clubs, tackle shops and other outlets.
All of these activities require funding, which has been provided in the past by the generosity of major tackle manufacturers, tackle shops, fishing clubs, Barbel Society members and the angling community.
All donations for the forthcoming Research and Conservation auction are gratefully received and full details of the lots available will be published on FishingMagic shortly.
