Anglers help fish stock research

Anglers in the north-east of England are being asked to help research the diversity of fish in the region by recording their catches.

The Environment Agency has released a coarse angler's logbook to help them survey the current fish stocks.

Traditional survey techniques give only limited information about stocks in fast flowing rivers like the Tyne and Wear, according to the agency.

Information from the logbooks will help to identify conservation priorities.

Environment Agency Fisheries Technical Specialist Phil Rippon said: "Anglers' catches provide a wealth of information that can be missed using traditional methods. Using this data we will be able to assess fish populations much more accurately."

It is also hoped that the scheme will help to promote angling as a healthy and active pastime.