Animating tagged fish movements

Since 2015 our research team has been involved in tagging and tracking freshwater fish species in the River Severn basin. A total of 311 individuals, across 5 species have been tagged with acoustic Vemco tags and then tracked using static receivers.

Twaite shad, Alosa fallax, was one of five species tagged and tracked for the study

We have now compiled five years of tracking data and displayed this on a digital map so users can explore the data over space and time. With selectable features based on species, date, temperature and flow, we hope this will help all types of people explore the data and understand fish movement within the Severn.

A Vemco acoustic receiver used to track fish movements in the River Severn basin

The River Severn and Teme have had many barriers installed throughout the years for navigation and flow regulation purposes; however, the Unlocking the Severn project is altering and removing weirs, where possible, to enable fish migrations.

Powick Weir before modifications, July 2016

During the time of fish tracking for this current study, Powick Weir, in the River Teme was altered to enable shad migration, so the user can watch movements before and after that weir was altered.

The study fish included two anadromous species; the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus and the twaite shad Alosa fallax, and three freshwater species; the European barbel Barbus barbus, pikeperch Sander lucioperca and Northern pike Esox lucius. Barbel are non-indigenous to western flowing British rivers while pikeperch are non-native to Britain, with both species frequently introduced for angling.

Movement patterns of the anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, was tracked during the study

CLICK HERE to view the interactive map.