Data from trials to assess the effectiveness of management measures to control damage by fish-eating birds at inland fisheries in England and Wales, carried out between 1995 and 1997.

Data from a three year project (1995-1999) for the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The main aim was to investigate how damage to stillwater and river fisheries by fish-eating birds (cormorants and goosanders) could be managed using techniques that are humane, cost-effective and acceptable in terms of their environmental impact and their effects on recreational activities. The work was undertaken by a consortium led by Central Science Laboratory (CSL) and including the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Glasgow University and ADAS) .

The data collection includes: the full report (McKay H, Furness R, Russell I, Parrott D, Rehfisch M, Watola G, Packer J, Armitage M, Gill E and Robertson P (1999). The assessment of the effectiveness of management measures to control damage by fish-eating birds to inland fisheries in England and Wales. Central Science Laboratory, York) and datasets from field and laboratory trials assessing various management measures including shooting, laser light, Conditioned Taste Aversion (CTA) habitat management (wires), stocking control and Fish Refuges. This is one of five projects for DEFRA let by competitive tender.