Abstract
Summary Objective: The overall aim of this project is to investigate how changes within the freshwater environment may modify the production of juvenile salmonids, influence life-history strategies and regulate the abundance of adult fish that return to spawn. This information is required to advise policy customers on the potential impact of climate change scenarios, as predicted by UKCP09, and to support the development and prioritisation of management options to conserve, restore and enhance salmonid populations. The research will also investigate whether experimental techniques routinely used to monitor and assess salmonid stocks are robust and free from bias. This information is required to validate and confirm the advice provided to Defra policy customers, other management authorities (e.g. EA), international organisations (e.g. ICES, NASCO) and stakeholders on the status of salmonid stocks in England and Wales and to deliver national management strategies, including the NASCO Implementaion Plan for Salmon Management in England and Wales. Key Customer Purpose: The information derived from this project will be used to ensure the provison of sound advice to Defra and other management authorities and stakeholders on the status of salmonid fish stocks in England and Wales. It will also used to advise on factors affecting stocks and the potential implications of climate change which will contribute to the development and delivery of management strategies for the restoration and protection of salmonid stocks in England and Wales. The information will also be used to advise policy customers on the consequences of stocking practices to enhance salmonid stocks and to support management decisions which will be required to conserve stocks in a changing aquatic environment. There are no aspects that may be considered as sensitive upon publication.
United Kingdom