Maintain and improve the habitats of fisheries

This standard is about maintaining and improving the habitats of fisheries. It covers maintaining aquatic and bankside plant growth in support of fisheries management and undertaking actions to improve aquatic, bankside and in-stream habitat. It includes the use of tools and equipment and working in a manner that minimises disturbance to the environment using both routine and non-routine tasks.  

This standard requires the ability to use hand tools, power tools and equipment, and also requires the ability to improve habitat characteristics by removing silt, creating aquatic structures, carrying out 
bank side repairs and the removal of obstacles. 

This standard requires that you carry out work safely, in line with relevant legal and health and safety requirements and that you work to maintain bio-security and minimise environmental disturbance at all times. 

The legislation controlling the application of this standard will vary depending on the location of the fishery – in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland.

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1. carry out all the activities required to safely maintain and improve the habitat of fisheries in line with health and safety requirements
2. select and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work required    
3. obtain consent from the relevant authorities for improvement work (if required) of the habitat of the fisheries
4. obtain fishery requirements and specifications for the fisheries habitat maintenance and improvement work
5. select, prepare, use and maintain appropriate tools, equipment and resources to the required standard of the fishery
6. maintain aquatic and riparian vegetation to meet the specified requirements of the habitat of the fisheries
7. carry out activities to improve the characteristics of the habitat of the fisheries in order to meet specified requirements
8. complete the work in a manner that causes minimal disturbance to the environment
9. resolve any difficulties experienced during maintenance, within your own levels of authority
10. resolve and manage any issues regarding invasive and protected species
11. dispose of waste according to relevant legal requirements
12. maintain the required levels of bio-security when maintaining and improving the habitat of fisheries
13. maintain accurate information to keep up-to-date records on the completed maintenance and improvement work.

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1. he health and safety requirements associated with the habitat management of fisheries
2. the importance of habitat management to fisheries
3. the biological, physical and chemical characteristics of the habitat of the fisheries being maintained and improved
4. which habitat improvements to fisheries require consent
5. why vegetation is controlled
6. the methods used to manage vegetation (e.g. cutting, natural regeneration, planting)
7. why it is important to minimise disturbance to the aquatic environment during maintenance activities
8. the effects of canopy cover on the habitats of fisheries
9. the importance of fringe vegetation to the habitats of fisheries
10. the relevant legal controls on the habitat management activities including those associated with designated sites
11. where and when chemicals can be used to manage vegetation on a fishery and the associated implications
12. the common causes of bankside damage
13. why it is important to control the erosion of riverbanks on a fishery
14. how a scour board can be used to remove silt from a river or stream
15. how to identify common plant species using identification keys
16. how to recognise common invertebrates
17. how to ensure fish passage is appropriate to allow fish to move freely without barriers
18. the types of invasive and protected species and their impact on the habitat of bankside and fisheries
19. the importance of bio-security and its role in minimising risks to the habitat of fisheries
20. riparian responsibilities for habitat management
21. the correct methods of disposing of surplus materials or waste

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Associated implications of chemical use

Reduction in food and habitat for fish and other aquatic animals.

Designation

Classifications that are applied to areas of land e.g. SSSI, SPAN.B

Riparian

Wetlands adjacent to rivers and streams

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1

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2021

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Current

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Original

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Lantra

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FiM5

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Ghillie, Angling Guide, Bailiff/Warden, Head Bailiff, Superintendent, Fishery Manager, Senior Fishery Manager

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1212

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fisheries; habitats; maintaining; improving

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