Fish Entrainment / Impingement & Screening
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Capacity to carry out long and short-term entrainment monitoring studies at coastal, estuarine and riverine intakes and hydropower developments
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Pump sampling field studies from which entrainment losses can be modelled pre intake construction
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Fish swimming speeds trials and screen technology research development
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Freshwater and marine fish taxonomic identification including world leading larval and juvenile fish expertise
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Specialist screening advice covering physical/behavioural technologies and fish friendly handling and return systems. Statutory body consultation and identification of ameliorative measures
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Calculation of fineness ratios to inform physical design
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Development of life cycle models, calculation of population estimates and equivalent adult values to put entrainment/impingement losses into context
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Expert advice on the implications of new and upcoming regulations and requirements for screening including the EEl Regulations (2010), Habitat's Directive, WFD and Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act (SFFA)
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High-level data analysis, survey design and reporting
What can we offer?
The establishment of the EU Habitats Directive, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Eel Regulations (2010) requires the assessment of activities that may impact aquatic organisms. This legislation highlights the potential for water abstraction and hydropower developments to result in fish entrainment, potentially impacting protected species, SAC site integrity and ecological status. The Eel Regulations give the EA the power to serve a notice to require provision of eel passage and/or screening of intakes for eel. Owners of priority intakes may be required to install screens for eel by December 2015.
APEM has a specialist team of consultants and field scientists with extensive expertise in fish entrainment/impingement and intake and outfall screening for marine, estuarine and freshwater abstractions and hydropower developments. We offer screening advice covering physical and behavioural technologies and fish friendly return systems for new and existing sites as well as providing advice on fish passage and bywash design criteria. We also help clients to identify potential ameliorative measures and ‘fish friendly’ solutions and support them through the process of statutory body consultation.
We carry out short and long-term monitoring studies to identify the number and species of fish being entrained and, critically calculate, how many of these are killed. We identify key ‘at risk’ entrainment periods and calculate fineness ratios to determine screen mesh aperture size and screen operation. The risk of entrainment can be measured through total annual entrainment loss calculations and predictions from published and grey literature reviews. The predicted impacts upon populations and site integrity can subsequently be assessed through the determination of population estimates.
Why choose APEM?
APEM is a science-based company, working exclusively in the realm of Aquatic Science for over 20 years. We operate UK-wide, providing a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to the monitoring and management of aquatic ecosystems. Our scientists are recognised experts in their diverse and specialist fields. Our teams work to exacting standards and are committed to providing a professional, client-focused service.
We can provide a complete monitoring, impact assessment, design, trialling and project management service. Key APEM staff are recognised experts in these fields and are regularly called upon for professional specialist advice and support.
Who are our clients?
We work for a wide range of organisations including:
Key Projects
APEM specialists have extensive experience in entrainment studies and screen design having managed a number of power station and potable water projects throughout the UK. Our staff have also been involved in Research & Development projects and the production of key publications including co-authorship of the Environment Agency’s ‘Screening for intake and outfalls: a best practice guide’.
Riverine Entrainment / Impingement Studies
Intake Screen Design
Power Station Entrainment/Impingement
Hydropower Projects
