The Environment Agency West Thames Fisheries team have been carrying out surveys along the river Thames, the TAC captured some of the results on the final day at Molesey.

Fisheries officer Stuart Keable with a Thames Common Carp

The fish survey is carried by out using a specially designed boat which has two arms extending from the front passing an electric current through the water. The current runs from an anode to a cathode which attracts the fish and momentarily stuns them. Once the fish are stunned, the fisheries team net and place the fish in a holding tank. The electro fishing is done over a timed period, on average it was around 30 minutes. The time coupled with the number and size of fish caught will give an eventual result of the survey.

In 2012 the The Hull International Fisheries Institute Thames Juvenile Fish Survey showed a drop in numbers due to high flows and lack of spawning habitat. The results of the 2013 surveys will be known in early 2014 but first impressions are good.

Below are some photos of the final day.

The 'Boom Boat' in action

All fish are measured and recorded for the survey including this Pike

A 20lb Pike being carefully lifted out for recording

Fisheries specialist Adrian Bicknell with a large Thames Pike

The EA team caught an series of Barbel which are a favourites of many Thames Anglers, sizes ranged from a few ounces up to fish over 10lb showing the population is healthy and naturally expanding.

One of the Juvenile Barbel

Barbel of around 7lb

Remarkable capture of one of a few young Zander

All larger fish have a scale sample taken which is sent away for analysis, including this Chub

A migratory Sea Trout

Thanks again to the West Thames Fisheries team for sharing their day with the TAC.