APEM provide expert advice on fish screening including physical and behavioural technologies and fish-friendly return systems, as well as advice on fish passage and bywash designs.
We help to identify potential ameliorative measures and ‘fish-friendly’ solutions and provide support during consultations.
Environmental regulations including the Water Framework Directive, Eels Regulations and the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act place obligations on organisations that take water from, or return water to, the natural environment. These regulations require that water intakes are screened where there is a risk of entraining protected species of fish. Industries such as such as hydropower developers and utility companies have called upon APEM’s expertise to consult on their requirements and obligations.
Our scientists carry out options appraisals to identify the most appropriate and cost-effective fish screening solution for individual sites. They then provide clients with outline designs and estimated costs for the preferred screening measure.
APEM’s specialist team of consultants and field scientists are experts in fish screening, entrainment and impingement. They are experienced in intake and outfall screening for marine, estuarine and freshwater abstractions and hydropower developments.
For more information on the Eels Regulations and eel screening guidance, download our free guide: Eels (England and Wales) Regulations 2009.
Some sites may be exempt from screening requirements if it can be proven that there is no risk of protected fish species being entrained.
At these sites, APEM carry out short and long-term monitoring studies to classify the number and species of fish being entrained and the extent of injury or mortality. Our specialist fish entrainment surveyors have extensive experience of designing and undertaking short and long-term entrainment studies. This includes pump sampling in accordance with the BEAMS guidance for the power industry.
APEM advise clients on the optimum screening methods and operation periods based on the times of year and life stages when species of fish and eels are most at risk. The results from these studies allow APEM to talk to regulators on behalf of clients about potential fish screening exemptions or less costly solutions to screening.
APEM’s experience of working with clients in the water, power and industry sectors has resulted in a comprehensive knowledge of a large variety of intake types.
These range from small gravity-fed intakes with simple manually-cleaned bar screens, to large abstractions with complex in-works screening arrangements and debris and fish recovery-and-return systems.
Our extensive experience has allowed us to provide bespoke designs, ensuring an economical and effective solution to fish screening arrangements.
The team at APEM would be happy to answer any questions you have, please use the form below to get in touch.
