Eel Trap results 2012

Chaps

Went down today during a break in the weather and checked the trap but was empty, early days though.

The key to the gate is on the same ring as the trap key, so if you are driving down just pull up and go and get it. Solves the parking nightmare

Its needs two people down there at each time but if that is not possible, I am sure the lock keeper will be ok to keep an eye on what you are doing and should only be quick.

The trap needs to be checked at least twice a week or more, next time will be Saturday so from the trained, people who can do it. I am around midweek next week.

Me and mike will do it Saturday as we have a training course to attend both days next weekend and are away the weekend after. Looking forward to it.

That great news Colin, cheers

Post up on here whatever you find and we will feed it back to the ZSL

Colin I have dropped you a PM.

Joe from the ZSL has been in contact and said due to the high water levels over Molesey we should not check the trap tomorrow. Simply put, as I saw it last night, it is up around 14 + inches at least and more coming down from the tribs so could be very dangerous. Needless to say we fully concur with his views.

We will keep an eye on it and make a call when is best

Cheers

Ok I will not check it tomorrow.

Went down there today and the water is only a ft or so below the trap and you cant see any of the steps. Have let Joe at the ZSL know. Needless top say didnt make any attempt to check it.

Update from Joe:

Morning Everyone

The heavy rains over the last two weeks are causing problems at a number of our trap sites. If you are at a site where trap access is from the river please can you remind your volunteers to check depths before they enter the river and make sure they don't go in if its unsafe.

The eel monitoring project is now on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ZSLMarineAndFreshwaterConservation .Please could you send the link out to all volunteers so they can add it to their likes ( don't be deceived, I have no idea what that means!).

Chinese Mitten crabs have been turning up in large numbers in the trap at Allington Lock on the Medway which has pleased researchers at the Natural History Museum (NHM) and Rohampton University. They have been collecting them and at this rate will have to buy a larger chest freezer before to long. This is a note from them about how the crabs are helping with various projects:

"The crabs collected at Allington are of interest primarily because to date we haven't had access to such a regular supply of crabs in this size range and which, in theory, we can maintain in culture for a matter of years (if necessary) unlike the larger migrating individuals that are likely to die post-breeding. We hope to look at the size distribution of the samples I have been collecting from Allington and compare these with previous collections which may give us a handle on whether the Allington crabs are part of a resident population or part of a larger migration up the Medway past Allington Lock. The samples may potentially contribute to a future Masters research programme. In addtion we are also planning to do some work with colleagues at Newcastle and St Andrews (the latter are involved with the EU Vectors programme) on the effects of mitten crabs on sediment stability - for this they require live animals in the size range we collect from Allington for use in experimental mesocosms. Finally Mary and I have been in correpondence with a PhD student from Leeds who is looking at interaction between invasive crayfish and mitten crabs and, when we met her at a recent aquatic invasives meeting at QMUL, we agreed to liaise in order to provide her with live specimens for her work when she was ready"


Please do mention mitten crab sightings in the notes section when you upload eel data and I will forward onto the NHM.

Many thanks for your continued efforts.

Hi when we mention mitten crabs do we need to report the size of them and if we do , how do you measure them (and dont say with a ruler)lol. eg length, width, diameter

Glyn Jones wrote:

Hi when we mention mitten crabs do we need to report the size of them and if we do , how do you measure them (and dont say with a ruler)lol. eg length, width, diameter

Crabs are always measured widthways at the widest part of their shell Glyn.

See pic for clarification

Took a bit of a flyer this morning as thought the levels had dropped and they have, so got the trap checked.

First captures and the score is Eels 0, Mittens 5

David Harvey wrote:

Eels 0, Mittens 5

5 mittens is a lot. I wonder if like eels then, mittens leave a scent/hormone trail behind for all the others to follow. Or are they just choosing the part of the weir with least amount of flow? Anyone know?

Did you manage to measure the critters before dispatching?
( And did you dispatch by post or under foot? )

I,m free to help out now, so if anyone goes there and needs a eel budy, lets us know, will take me 3/4hr to get there by bush bike, 55mins if head wind

Hands up for a Sat/Sun from those trained, cheers folks.

Sorry cant do this weekend we are away Friday to Sunday wedding in isle of wight.

No probs Colin, are you ok for the following weekend

If no one else is around I will get down Sat or Sun but think it maybe a wash out..

http://riverconditions.environment-agency.gov.uk//

Joe from the ZSL has been in contact and says he checked the trap, nothing found, so no need again this weekend.

Hands up for midweek chaps

Although there were no elvers, we did catch a specimen Bullhead! (I was working at Molesey and played lifeguard while Joe checked the trap.)

I know haha

Hi Dave, yes we will do Saturday 18th probably around lunchtime

Thanks Colin. Take a pair of waders as it may be a bit wet, but all likleyhood nothing unless we get more lots rain

Is there a prize for the first person to find an eel?

Maybe

Hi Dave, me and Michael checked the eel trap at 3pm today, no eels just two mitten crabs, 20mm widest point on their back, tiny. Weather was cloudy but hot, sun was shining through. There was a cormorant sitting on the concrete behind the lock keepers hut. Let me know when u next want us to go. :o

Cheers Colin

So it's Mittens 7, Eels 0 so far, early days though.

I will pop down there midweek after work one morning if no one else is up for it.

Happy of you want to do next weekend mate unless anyone else fancies a go.

Cheers

Strangely enough I was plagued by eels last season. I caught them at multiple places on the Thames. I even made a special trip to the Royalty to catch one

Now if I could just be plagued with barbel this season