Joe PecorelliCitizen Science Project Manager

The Zoological Society of London working with Citizen Scientists in the

Thames region.

eels, and smelt

Eel monitoring started in 2005

• Gather long term eel recruitment data into the Thames catchment to show trends.

• Identify restrictions to eel dispersal

The eel trap (2005 to 2010)Naismith , I and Knights, B. (1988) Migrations of elvers and juvenile European eels, Anguilla anguilla L., in the River Thames

And now the eel is……

• A BAP priority species.• Listed as Critically Endangered on the

IUCN Red List, 2008• The subject of EU eel regulations,

2009.

Citizen Science eel monitoring launched in 2011

Citizen science eel monitoring

0.006% (518) of the population

of London trained in 5

years.

Eel monitoring sites 2015

Citizen science traps

ZSL• Monitoring protocols (RA) • Training, equipment• Insurance• Reports• Trap/ pass maintenance

Environment Agency • License, FDC• Strategic advice and support

Site Partner • Volunteer coordination

Improving eel passage

6 passes installed

21ha of freshwater habitat

Working together for eels within catchment partnerships

Supporting Partners

Smelt Project

• To better understand the reproductive behaviour of smelt in the Tidal Thames in order to inform conservation management

• To gain a wider understanding of the ecology of fishes in the Tidal Thames

Two linked surveys

ZSL staffCitizen Science

Citizen science forums

Helping create community and encouraging dialogue between volunteers and professionals

Locally focussed decision making and positive community action are at the heart of the

catchment based approach

Well designed citizen science projects can help provide the evidence needed to underpin this local decision making and will strengthen relationships

between the statutory agencies and trained volunteer groups within catchment partnerships

Made possible with thanks to our citizen scientists, partnership organisations, associated experts

Joe.pecorelli@zsl.org

Supported by ..