Conservation

Grayling Conservation

A core aspect of Grayling Society's work revolves around conservation of Grayling and the improvement of their habitat.


This work is regarded of the utmost importance by the Committee and the membership. The appointment of a Conservation Officer to lead projects to advance Grayling conservation is a vital step in achieving these objectives. Inevitably the vast majority of the environmental prejudice caused to Grayling also affects rivers generally and therefore all those species and organisations that rely on clean river water. Hence the Society believes that collaboration with all stakeholders is essential to make effective progress. The Conservation Officer's vision for the conservation was set out in a presentation at the Grayling Society Weekend in November 2022 Grayling Conservation Blog.


The Grayling Society President, Feargal Sharkey OBE, has been at the forefront of campaigning to clean up our rivers for a number of years.  An interview with Feargal, which was published in the Spring 2023 edition of Grayling, can be read in its entirety at the Grayling Society Blog.


In the spirit of collaboration the Society has worked together with the Angling Trust in development, piloting and roll out of the Water Quality Monitoring Network. This involves a growing number of angling clubs across England and Wales testing river water and exposing the levels of pollution. Further information relating to this scheme and how to get involved can be accessed here Water Quality Monitoring Network.


The Society has instigated meetings with United Utilities to enlist collaboration in a phased clean up of the rivers of the Northwest of England. Those discussions have proved productive with constructive responses having been demonstrated. All the other water companies in England have a similar obligation to follow this example in the face of growing criticism and pressure from the Society and numerous collaborators.


The complexity of conservation and the enormity of the task to clean up our rivers for the Grayling population is obvious and extensive with substantial improvements needed from agriculture, land management, highways authorities and of course the general public.


The Society administers a grant scheme to support conservation initiatives, detailed below, and is responsible for the publication of European Grayling Conservation, Ecology & Management. The Grayling magazine has a dedicated section on conservation in each issue which deals with current initiatives.


The Society will not relax until Grayling are no longer under threat from human malpractice and can swim in clean water.


European Grayling Conservation, Ecology & Management - A Practical Conservation Guide for the United Kingdom


The Grayling Research Trust publish 'European Grayling Conservation, Ecology & Management - A Practical Conservation Guide for the United Kingdom'.


The guide has been produced with the intention of informing clubs, fisheries and conservation organisations about the need for grayling conservation as pressures increase on UK aquatic ecosystems. It describes some of the management techniques that can be adopted to protect the future of the European Grayling and its fisheries. It can be downloaded here:


European Grayling Conservation, Ecology & Management - A Practical Conservation Guide for the United Kingdom



Grayling Society Conservation Grants


The Society now provides an opportunity for its members to make a direct contribution to the conservation and sustainability of the grayling, its habitat and fisheries through the Conservation Grants.


For some years the Society has, each year, allocated a sum of money to be made available to suitable projects which will directly benefit the conservation of grayling anywhere in the world.


Such projects could range from part-financing habitat improvement works, through initiatives such as the promotion of catch-and-release of grayling, to increasing access to grayling anglers on the riverbank.


Case Studies


River Ewenny


Making an application


An application form is available from the Society and is downloadable here . The Area Secretary (AS) will receive applications for grants in the first instance and make an assessment of suitability based on merit and cost, the AS can assist in the completion of the application if required.  This will take into account such things as value for money, match funding, conservation benefit, impact on grayling stocks, sustainability, etc. The Area Secretary will then make recommendations to the Grayling Society Committee. The Committee will make the final decision as to which projects are funded in the current year. The AS will follow the progress of projects making interim reports to the Committee and again on completion. There is an expectation that applicants will write an article on the work undertaken for the Grayling magazine.

Rules of Application

 

  1. Application for a Grayling Society conservation grant is open to any adult  (18 years and over) with an interest in grayling conservation. You do not need to be a member of The Grayling Society.
  2. Applicants must send a completed proposal form to their Area Secretary. The Area secretary can help you with your application should you wish.
  3. The total available funds will be £6,000.00 in each financial year (1st July to 30th June).
  4. The project will be undertaken in the same financial year as your application.
  5. Conservation grant money cannot be deferred from one year without the express permission of the Grayling Society Committee.
  6. Applicants should follow the procurement guidelines. You will find these with the Application Form.
  7. Applicants should note the release of retention requirements.
  8. Unsuccessful applicants may re-submit their grant bid in the following financial year.

Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme


Plastic pollution in our rivers continues to escalate and the dangers to grayling, and human health for that matter, are yet to be exposed.


The Grayling Society takes the view that responsible angling organisations ought to be making arrangements to encourage their members to not contribute to that pollution. We are also passionate that fishing line must never be discarded on the banks of the places we fish.


Therefore we are supporting the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme which recycles used mono-filament, fly lines and plastic spools either by post, courier or in one of their bins at tackle shops or fisheries.  The plastic will be used to make fishing products rather than leave it to take decades to degrade in land fill.


The scheme gives us all a convenient way to dispose of the plastic waste inevitably generated by our sport.  Have a look at their web site for more details:


Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme website


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