Since 1973 the Thames Fishery Research Experiment has turned a passion for angling into a citizen science exercise, using a fishing tournament to assess the health of one of the UK’s most iconic rivers. In 2019 the Fishmongers’ Company continued its long-running support for the experiment, providing grant funding and an award for the experiment’s best individual fish.
With teams from Kent, Essex and the Public Services Angling Clubs as well as Gravesham Grammar School and the City of London School for Girls, the competition records the number of fish and diversity of species caught, demonstrating the continued improvement of the river’s health. This year’s experiment, on 12 October, saw 375 fish caught consisting of 7 species including whiting, pouting, flounder, eel, bass and sole.
The Fishmongers’ Cup for the best fish caught was won by Steve Swan of the Kent Angling Team with a 34cm flounder. The Lady Howard Trophy for the team with highest number of points in the Adult Competition was won by Essex County Angling Team. The Schools Trophy was won y the City of London School for Girls.
Photos by Clive Totman.
© The Fishmongers’ Company 2024
