Annan Fishery Management Plan - RAFTS

River Annan DSFB Fisheries Management Plan 2009 – 20145.3.4 Assessment of Water QualitySince 2006 invertebrate kick samples have been conducted in the catchment bythe RADSFB as a means of assessing water quality. The technique devised bythe Riverfly Partnership was employed. This system does not need the samelevel of expertise as the River Invertebrate Prediction and Classification System(RIVPACS) procedure and is less time-consuming so greater coverage of thecatchment can be achieved. Examples of invertebrate surveys carried out in thecatchment in 2008 are those for the Mein Water and Kirtle Water. These surveysare discussed below.The results on the Kirtle suggested that water quality is mostly poor on the lowerreaches with some improvement further upstream. Results on the Mein Waterwere better, with sites ranging from moderate to good. The scoring method forthe surveys grades sites from A1 to D6 with A1 being best. The letters A-Dassess taxonomic quality of survey samples with A showing excellent waterquality. The grades 1 to 6 classify invertebrate abundance in each sample with 1representative of high numbers. The maps in Figure 4.3.3 below display a systemwhich is graded by colour to represent classes A-D and decreasing circle sizeshowing abundance grades 6 through to 1.Action5.3.4.a5.3.4.b5.3.4.cDescriptionContinue to expand invertebrate surveyprogramme by concentrating upon one subcatchment per yearInform SEPA of any areas where surveys maysuggest pollution incidents etcEnsure all staff are trained to RiverflyPartnership standardsReactive orProactiveProactiveReactiveProactiveTimescaleOngoingOngoingOngoing47