Agenda item

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection on the 47th City of London Thames Fishery Research

Experiment.

The Committee was informed of the outcome of the 47th City of London Thames Fishery Research Experiment which took place on Saturday 12 October 2019 along the foreshore of the River Thames, downriver from the Port Health Lower Thames Office in Denton, Gravesend.

The purpose of the Fishery Research Experiment was to understand the conditions of the river. This year the Fishery Research Experiment experienced better conditions in comparison to the previous years. The report also sought a grant of £5,460 from City’s Cash to partially fund the Fishery Research Experiment for 2020.

A Member asked if the grant is being sought from the Local Risks fund, the Committee was assured that the budget would be coming from the City’s Cash.  

The Committee was further informed that 375 fish of 7 species were caught this year. This is 320 more than the previous year’s total catch of 55 fish. The number of species represented in the catch was also higher than last year’s 6 species. A Member asked the reasons behind the high number of catches. Officers informed the Committee that the weather and sea temperatures being on the positive side has had helped immensely. There was a discussion amongst Members on the positive impact of the Fishery Research Experiment to the City of London. Members noted that this can also help promote Tourism within London too.

Following on, another Member noted that City of London Schools were invited and asked if the academies were invited too. Members were informed that the City of London invites a range of schools, but there is not always positive uptake from schools. The Department encourages Schools to take part in the Fishery Research Experiment and where possible also works with the Schools to provide free equipment’s and tuition for the School from the Angling Societies that take part in the experiment.

The Chairman asked if the Communications team can highlight the work of the Department and the success of the Fishery Research Experiment too. The Committee took the opportunity to thank the Officers involved with the Fishery Research Experiment for their hard work.

RESOLVED – Members asked to;

·         Note the content of this report;

·         Review and approve the grant of £5,460 from City’s Cash to partially fund the 2020 event;

·         Approve the 48th City of London Thames Fishery Research Experiment to take place in 2020 (date to be confirmed).