Fish and fisheries of the tidal Thames: management of the modern resource, research aims and future pressures

In recent decades, following the cleanup in the 1960s, the Thames Estuary has become a major nursery ground for economic and conservation species, and has seen the development of substantial commercial and recreational fisheries. The Environment Agency has both sea fisheries and freshwater fisheries statutory powers in the estuary. A unique and focussed survey programme has been developed to inform management policies. A Fisheries Management Action Plan has been developed to promote integrated salmonid, eel Anguilla anguilla and sea fisheries management, promote nurseries, sustainable exploitation and habitat protection and enhancement. Data are used to influence water quality, water resources and flood defence management regimes and in the planning field to influence development proposals. Consensus and collaboration have been built through the Thames Estuary Partnership. Research aims identified through the Thames Estuary Research Forum are described together with future pressures on key species. The survey rationales being developed will contribute to new standard sampling strategies and classification scheme to meet the requirements of the E.U. Water Framework Directive.