The Barbel Society is delighted to announce that the 2011 online auction in aid of the Research and Conservation projects undertaken by the Society, raised almost six thousand pounds, with generous donations from tackle companies and fishing days with noted anglers such as Bob Roberts, Martin James, Chris Ponsford and Ian Welch.
"This funding enables us to carry on with the valuable conservation work we are wholly or partly funding on many of the UKs barbel rivers, as well as some ground breaking research into barbel and barbel fisheries" said Pete Reading, BS Research and Conservation Officer
"We raised almost nine thousand pounds this last year, combined with the annual Barbel Society and Roach Club Fundraiser on the Hampshire Avon last autumn"
The Society would like to thank the following donors of lots to the auction
Andy Sliwa Rods
Billy Clarke Tackle, Sheffield
Bob Roberts
Coarse Angling Today
Chris Ponsford
Stephen Harper of Harper Fine Angling Books
Christchurch Angling Club
Climax Tackle, Sheffield
Dave Brown
Dave Mason
Dave Steuart
Don Caliendo
Dynamite baits
Fishing Magic
Fred Crouch
Gary Mills Mills Tackle
Gerry Higham
Glyn Gomersall, Three Rivers Baits
Graham Marsden
Ian Welch
International Centre for Birds of Prey
Kevin Clifford
Martin James
Nutrabaits
Pete Reading
Phil Buckingham
Phil Smith
Predator Publications
Rich Frampton
Richard Hewitt Fish & Fly
Ringwood and District AA
Rob Burt
Steve Derby
Steve Pope
Wickersley Angling Centre
Research and Conservation projects: Where the money goes
In the last five years, the Barbel Society has funded, or part-funded, the following projects, supporting both habitat work of real conservation value, and positive research into barbel and barbel fishery management;
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 Patricks 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 in stream 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
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All these activities require funding, which has been provided by the generosity of major tackle manufacturers, tackle shops, fishing clubs, Barbel Society members and the angling community.
