LR-24 Used To Teach Electrofishing In The UK

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Bill Beaumont, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) UK

As part of its advisory and education role the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) runs various training courses. Since taking on the salmon research group at East Stoke this training has included Electric Fishing training. The courses are led by Bill Beaumont who has over 37 years experience of electric fishing in habitats ranging from mountain tops to lowland rivers. He has authored 4 scientific papers on electric fishing theory, is the author of the UK Environment Agency “Guidelines for Electric Fishing Best Practice” and has just published the book “Electric Fishing: a complete guide to theory and practice” (available from http://www.gwctshop.org.uk).

GWCT run Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced level Electric Fishing courses.

The Elementary course is designed for those with little or no experience of electric fishing. The course covers basic theory of electric fishing, Health and Safety and setting up equipment for differing conditions. A considerable part of the course is practical hands-on using the equipment. Attendees get a certificate of attendance.

The Intermediate course is designed for those who have some practical experience of electric fishing. It covers in more depth the theory of electric fishing, basic circuit theory, how to optimise settings for differing water conductivities and fish welfare. The course includes two written exams giving the attendees a certificate of competence.

The Advanced course is for those who have a good understanding of setting up electric fishing equipment in different water types. It covers the reasons behind the need to use different settings in different water types, advanced electrical circuit theory, how to calculate voltages actually produced at the anode and cathode and how to calculate power demand for different equipment set-ups. Attendees need to complete a calculation exercise to determine power demand for particular anode, cathode configuration and get a certificate for successful completion of the course.

Courses have been attended by private individuals, Fishing Associations, Freshwater consultants, RSPB, Rivers Trusts, and the Environment Agency and for staff working for Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Backpack equipment for the course has been provided by Smith-Root lending GWCT a LR-24 unit. This is an excellent tool for the students to use as they can try a wide variety of output settings.

Photos show students from Birmingham University and Sparsholt College using the LR- 24 during courses run specifically for those groups.

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About Smith-Root

Founded in 1964, Smith-Root has long been a respected member of the aquatic resource conservation community. We have supplied fish researchers, managers and hatchery personnel with quality fisheries sampling technologies and products over several decades. With on-site manufacturing facilities, Smith-Root produces a full-line of electrofishing, fish guidance, and electroanesthesia equipment to aid in fish restoration and recovery operations in various aquatic settings.

Posted by John Gielen at 1:48 PM November 1, 2011 in Company News