Managing the risk from non-native fish
The Environment Agency’s National Fish Laboratory are undertaking investigations into the risk posed by Prussian Carp, which have been identified in a few of England’s fisheries
A day in the life of an EA fisheries enforcement officer
I am part of a team of Fishery Enforcement Officers that patrols the rivers, still waters and canals in the West Midlands ensuring anglers have a fishing licence and are complying with fishing regulations. I love what I do because …
Illegal elver fishing and how we tackle it
The elver fishery is an area of fishery enforcement that not many anglers will ever see, as it happens on tidal waters at night during the months of February – May. Elvers are juvenile eels and they are currently on …
Invasive species week: topmouth gudgeon and how we tackle them
All invasive non-native species have the capacity to disrupt the natural balance enjoyed by the UK native biodiversity. These species can reproduce faster, tolerate a wider spectrum of habitats, predate more voraciously and can carry parasites and diseases that could …
The feelings of getting hooked on fishing
Andy Taylor of the Head Office partnership team recalls the simultaneous feelings of excitement, fear and curiosity that first got him hooked on fishing. Experiences can shape lives – and even careers. For me it was a lucky sweep with …
Rain helping the environment and groundwater in the south east
Following the recent rain in the south east the soil is wetter, many reservoirs have risen and groundwater replenishment has started. This improvement is welcome because the autumn and the previous winter were dry in the south east of England. …
Meet the EA angler: Dougal Ziegler
Dougal Ziegler is an angler and environment officer who deals with pollution and water quality on the River Wye in Herefordshire, which for Dougal is “the greatest river of them all”. For 6 years now I’ve been an Environment Officer, …
Meet the EA angler: Neil Trudgill
Neil Trudgill is a Fisheries Technical Specialist. After studying fisheries at Stirling University he began working at the Environment Agency in 2000 and has worked in the fisheries department ever since. My first memory of fishing is from when …
Partnership working on an urban river: Bracknell’s River Cut
The River Cut in Bracknell is a tributary of the mighty River Thames and is, typically for a heavily urbanised catchment, challenged in many ways. At least 3 sewage treatment works discharge along its course, and historically the channel was …
Winter rain needed in the South East
If you live in the south east of England you might have noticed that there hasn’t been a lot of rain recently. Low amounts of rainfall over a prolonged period can cause problems for the environment and even future …