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Obstructions

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Obstruction weir

Another complication in the management of a migratory fishery is the degree to which the fish can reach all of the potential breeding habitat in the catchment and so boost the recruitment of adults to catch.

Whilst it is a popular site on the Tyne to watch fish jumping up weirs, bridge aprons and other structures there are many obstructions which debar even the strongest swimmer.

The Trust seeks, in partnership with owners and operators of river structures, to modify the flow at these sites, remove the barrier permanently (not so easy!) or equip the structure with a fish pass.

To date the Trust has completed fish passage easements on the Newbrough Burn and the Gill Sike tributary of the Otterburn. We are in the process of planning improvements for 2012 on the March Burn and the Stocksfield Burn. We are also proposing a major engineering project at Hexham bridge to improve aceess for all fish species. 

The Trust utilises electrofishing surveys to investigate the impact of obstructions on fish populations, be they permanent structures such as weirs or impassable log jams. We have a database of mapped obstructions, but we are interested in reports from the public to keep us informed of remote or new obstructions.