As part of our Anglers Against Pollution campaign, the Angling Trust has launched the Water Quality Monitoring Network (WQMN) to engage angling clubs in better understanding pollution issues on their waters.
With only 14% of rivers achieving Good Ecological Status and none meeting Good Chemical Status for substances such as phosphates and nitrates, the WQMN will also support the delivery of effective solutions that restore our rivers to a healthy state, and use the findings to help the Angling Trust hold the government to account.
Initially, the WQMN will be rolled out in the Severn catchment, but plans are already in place to extend it to other areas of England and Wales later this year.
Kris Kent, Campaigns & Advocacy Manager of the Angling Trust, said:
“Anglers are passionate about the places they fish and have long been working on the preservation and restoration of freshwater habitats. Whether it’s club work parties, volunteering on Rivers Trust projects, undertaking riverfly monitoring, litter picks or bailiffing, anglers are a potent force for good and often unsung heroes.
“The Water Quality Monitoring Network aims to harness the power of angling clubs and anglers to understand the quality of water across England and to establish a solid foundation of data which can be used to better understand the factors affecting water quality.
“This data will also aid in the development of effective solutions to improve water quality, and will provide the Angling Trust with evidence to support its campaigning.”
The WQMN will be formed from angling clubs, anglers and other volunteers who will carry out monitoring on rivers across England and Wales to gather a range of data on a regular basis.
The data will include:
• Phosphates
• Nitrates
• Electrical conductivity
• Temperature
• Water levels
• Flow rates
• Presence of algal blooms
• Presence of pollution
Angling clubs in the Severn catchment who want to join the WQMN, or clubs in other areas who are interested in joining the WQMN when it is rolled out nationally, should contact kristian.kent@anglingtrust.net