The Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum (SARF) is pleased to announce a call for proposals for research and development projects in the following areas:

• SARF098: PAMP Refreshment Study
• SARF099: Survey of Pacific oyster in Scotland
• SARF100: Novel Treatments for Freshwater Aquaculture
• SARFSP001: Assessment of the viability of the different life stages of Lepeophtheirus salmonis following exposure to hydrogen peroxide
• SARFSP005: Assessment of the viability of Neoparamoeba perurans following exposure to hydrogen peroxide
• SARFSP006: Availability and use of freshwater resources in Scotland
• SARFSP007: Fish Oil / Fishmeal / Marine Ingredients / Plant Oil / Lap Issues
• SARFSP008: Modelling of the Potential fo

Early July, under cover of darkness, fish are being counted on the Thames from Oxford to Henley. Using an electric fishing boat, affectionately known as the ‘boom boat’, Environment Agency Fisheries and Sampling teams are taking part in an annual national fish survey.

On this part of the Thames the water is deep, making the normal wading technique for sampling fish out of the question and so the ‘boom boat’ is used instead.

Anode in water - boom boat fish survey, photo courtesy of John Sutton EA

In this month's bulletin we have news from the UK River Restoration Centre workshop in the Netherlands about the importance of understanding river characteristics (sediment, hydrology and vegetation); SMART objective setting and how to monitor your project. Of course, updated information on the 5th European River Restoration Conference in Vienna 11 - 13 September 2013 & on the first European River Prize.

RESTORE July bulletin

Ulrika Åberg from the RRC writes about the field visit.

In May 2013 the UK River Restoration Centre and the Finish Environment Institute organised a joint RESTORE field visit to Germany and Switzerland. 28 participants from ten different European countries took part.

Particpants on field trip to River Isar

In 2010 Thames 21 visited the Cody Dock Reedbed, close to the mouth of the River Lea (UK), it was instantly clear what a wonderful place it was and how damaged it had become. In amongst the reeds it was beautiful and peaceful, but it was calf-deep in rubbish and Japanese Knotweed had grown across the reedbed, eating out its heart.

As part of the Love the Lea campaign,  Thames 21  commissioned a study into the use of  reedbeds along the Lee (or Lea) Navigation to improve water quality, boost the biodiversity value of the area and improve green space.