thames estuary

Welcome back to the second part of our captivating journey beneath the surface of the Thames Estuary. In this episode, we're joined by a true guardian of these waters, Steve Colclough, Fisheries Scientist and Chair of the Estuarine & Marine Specialist Section at the Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM). We've moved our discussion from the riverbank to the riverside at Battersea Reach, where Steve provides invaluable insights into the world of marine and freshwater fisheries, as well as his extensive experience in protecting this unique ecosystem.

We pose a series of thought-provoking questions to Steve, exploring his remarkable 40 year long career and his passion for preserving the biodiversity of the Thames Estuary. We uncover the challenges he's faced while conducting fish surveys, his innovative solutions and his ability to collaborate with a diverse array of stakeholders.

From memorable discoveries to the environmental threats that fish populations face, we dive deep into the intricacies of the estuarine ecosystem. Steve shares his wisdom on sustainable fisheries management practices and the ever-evolving trends he's observed over the years.

As the conversation unfolds, we also touch on the special concerns and conservation interests associated with particular fish species and habitats in the Thames Estuary.

For those who harbour dreams of a career in marine and freshwater fisheries or environmental consultancy, Steve imparts his seasoned advice. And, as always, we conclude with a profound take-home message from our esteemed guest.

So, join us at the tranquil Riverside at Battersea Reach as we learn from the river's guardian, Steve Colclough, and continue our exploration of the hidden world beneath the tides of the Thames Estuary.

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Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/

Keep up to date with TEP on all platforms!
Twitter: @ThamesEstPart
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Produced & Presented by Chloe Russell.

Welcome to the first part of our exhilarating journey, as we delve into the thriving underwater world beneath the Thames Estuary. Our adventure begins at Battersea Reach, just east of the River Wandle's mouth, where TEP's Data and Training Manager Wanda Bodnar guides us through the essential work being carried out in this unique estuarine environment.

We start by uncovering the significance of Estuary Edges, an innovative approach to enhance biodiversity along the edges of the estuary. These man-made vegetated intertidal habitats act as crucial ecosystems for fish and other wildlife, rejuvenating the estuarine edges and promoting a healthier environment.

But why are these sites so important, you ask? Wanda delves into the historical transformations that the Thames Estuary has undergone over the past 2,000 years, leading to the loss of vital habitats. These habitats, like saltmarshes, seagrass areas and reedbeds, have a far-reaching impact, not just on the wildlife but also on our daily lives. They reduce flood risk, act as carbon sinks, and provide crucial nursery and spawning grounds for fish. In a world where the sea levels are rising, they play an indispensable role in safeguarding the environment.

The aquatic life in the Thames Estuary is as diverse as it is fascinating. From the freshwater zone upstream from Battersea to the brackish waters downstream to Greenwich and the predominantly salty waters beyond, the fish species are ever-changing, depending on weather, season and tidal cycles. In 2017, the last survey at this site revealed the presence of European seabass, common goby, and the critically endangered European eel. These species contribute to the intricate web of life within the estuary, and with our seine nets, the survey yielded a total of 54 fish comprising of eight different species, including zander, goby, seabass, dace and bream. Additionally, a single European eel was caught during the fyke net operation.

Steve Colclough, Fisheries expert, provides insights into the fish surveys and the equipment used. But it doesn't stop at just catching fish; Steve takes us through the identification process and explains the importance of the data collected. This valuable information is shared with partner organisations, including the Port of London Authority, Environment Agency and the Institute of Fisheries Management. The data helps demonstrate the ecological benefits of these habitats, underlining the significance of the Estuary Edges.

But the Thames Estuary is not just about fish; it's a bustling hub of wildlife. Over 300 species of invertebrates, 96 species of birds, three species of mammals and even sharks call this estuary home. It's a testament to the richness of this ecosystem, with species like the tope, starry smooth-hound and spurdog patrolling the outer estuary.

So, join us on this exploration of the hidden wonders of the Thames Estuary, where every dive into its waters reveals something extraordinary and where the ongoing efforts of dedicated individuals like Wanda and Steve are helping us better understand and protect this remarkable environment.

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Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/

Socials:
Twitter: @ThamesEstPart Facebook: @thamesestuarypartnership Instagram: @thamesestuarypartnership
YouTube: @thamesestuarypartnership

Produced & Presented by Chloe Russell.

Back after a short break, we bring Giles Tofield to the stage to talk to us about his work at The Cultural Engine. In this episode we explore what projects The Cultural Engine have worked on, including the North Thames Fisheries Local Action Group (NTFLAG) programme which TEP was involved in; what the future has in store; and the value of storytelling within community and local economy led projects.

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Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/

Socials:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThamesEstPart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thamesestuarypartnership/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thamesestuarypartnership/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTV3IorpF7Qb9Sp673221jg


Produced and presented by Chloe Russell.

Have you noticed people on the foreshore of the River Thames with their heads down searching for something? Have you ever wondered what they could possibly find? In this episode we address what this activity is - it is none other than mudlarking! And we have none other than River Thames mudlarking enthusiast Lara Maiklem telling us about all things mudlarking.

Lara is a British author, editor and publishing consultant known for her writing and speaking on mudlarking, she is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. One of her books, 'Mudlarking Lost and Found In The River Thames' was awarded Sunday Times Bestseller, an Observer Book Of The Year, Radio 4 Book Of The Week and Winner of the 2020 Indie Book Award for Non-Fiction.

Join us as we dig and delve into the world of mudlarking and Lara's personal anecdotes on how she fell in love it!

Correction at 26:00: There is no known colony of seahorses near the Greenwich Peninsula. It is most likely, however, that seahorses live in the part of the Thames Estuary where there are flooded areas of saltmarsh and seagrass meadows. The one’s seen in the river or on the foreshore in the city are those that get washed upstream with the incoming tide. 

This episode was recorded in February 2022. 

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Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/

Socials:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThamesEstPart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thamesestuarypartnership/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thamesestuarypartnership/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTV3IorpF7Qb9Sp673221jg

Produced and Presented by Chloe Russell.

Join us for a special episode released on World Fish Migration Day about The Thames Catchment Community Eels Project. We are joined by six organisations in total, Thames Rivers Trust who led the project, Action for the River Kennet, South East Rivers Trust, Thames21, Zoological Society of London and Thames Estuary Partnership. 

This huge collaboration was driven to aid the long-term survival of the European eel. The result of this two year project has been useful for opening up dialogue with the Environment Agency (EA) when prioritising barriers; useful for collecting citizen science data for discovering unrecorded barriers; and for bringing in a sense of community and camaraderie within local areas including school workshops. 

With special thanks to our guests speakers, listed in chronological order of speaking in the episode, Anna Forbes at Thames Rivers Trust, Jess Mead at The South East Rivers Trust, Philly Nicholls at Thames21, Mia Riddler at Action for the River Kennet, Azra Glover at Zoological Society of London, and Wanda Bodnar at Thames Estuary Partnership. 

To find out more information about the project, visit https://www.thamesriverstrust.org.uk/thames-catchment-community-eels-project/ 

To see the Fish Migration Map and gif, visit https://fishroadmap.london/ 

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Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/

Socials:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThamesEstPart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thamesestuarypartnership/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thamesestuarypartnership/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTV3IorpF7Qb9Sp673221jg

Produced and Presented by Chloe Russell.

On today’s episode we’re joined by Jesse Seaward, Partner at Band Agency and Ollie Jackson, Co-Founder of 100 Tons of Plastic and son of ex-fisherman Merlin Jackson, as they discuss their recent project of promoting a local fish species as part of Fish Local. This discussion includes all the project’s processes including the selection process, finding the most sustainable and highest yield species, finding the fitting name the 'Silver Shore Herring', and what this project means for the fishing industry.

The core working group for promoting the local species include -
Jesse Seaward - Project Leader/ Band Agency, marketing and strategy
Amy Pryor - Project Leader/ Thames Estuary Partnership
Merlin Jackson - Ex Fisherman, FLO on multiple offshore projects across the estuary
Will Wright - Chief IFC Officer at Kent & Essex IFCA
Dave Ferris - Kent based fisherman
Fran French - Runs the West Mersey Fisherman’s association, Essex based fisher
John McGinn - Chapmans Fish - Seafood Distributor
Neil Auchterlonie - Seafood 2040 campaign and technical specialist in fisheries and sustainable seafood
Jack Clark - Marine Conservation Society
Shepherd Neame - Hospitality  

Fish Local has been developed to support the Kent and Essex fishing industry, working together to deliver its world-class seafood to the public and trade. Buying locally caught seafood from a fishmonger, fish stall, restaurant or even direct from the fisher is more sustainable and supports an industry we can be proud to have on our doorstep.

Fish Local is an initiative by Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA). Follow #FishLocalFB Use #FishLocalFB on social media posts to join with the community 

To find out more about Fish Local, visit https://fishlocal.org/

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Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/

Socials:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThamesEstPart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thamesestuarypartnership/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thamesestuarypartnership/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTV3IorpF7Qb9Sp673221jg

Produced and Presented by Chloe Russell.

What lives in the Thames? From the things we can see like seals and crabs to the invisible elements like oxygen and nitrate. Find out why the Thames has that signature brown colour and why it is actually a good thing! This episode is all about the recently published State of the Thames Report 2021 by the Zoological Society of London and we are greeted with the lovely and knowledgeable Alison Debney, ZSL's Senior Conservation Programme Manager to tell us all about it. Hosted by our new podcast producer Chloe Russell.

To read the State of the Thames Report 2021, visit: https://www.zsl.org/sites/default/files/ZSL_TheStateoftheThamesReport_Nov2021.pdf 
____________________

Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/

Socials:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThamesEstPart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thamesestuarypartnership/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thamesestuarypartnership/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTV3IorpF7Qb9Sp673221jg

Well hello! This week I chat to singer-songwriter Willy Mason (and producer Noel Heroux) about his excellent new album “Already Dead”, his first album for 9 years.

My other guest is artist Miles Taverner, who makes stunning works of art from wood and other materials the tide happens to bring in. He has an exhibition in London in September 2021 as part of the Totally Thames Festival.

Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @wwilly.masonn / @milestavernerart

Twitter: @signalspodcast / @wwilly_masonn 

willymasonmusic.com

milestavernerart.co.uk

thamesfestivaltrust.org

seareconnection.co.uk