A date for your diaries

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Thursday 25th November 2004 'River flies - A Beacon for Environmental Quality'

A one-day conference, organised by The River fly Interest Group, will explore the role that river flies play as an early warning system for the quality of rivers in Britain and the way in which river fly populations have been influenced by environmental change. The conference is targeted at individuals and organisations across all disciplines concerned with the health of our rivers and still waters. Speakers from the fly-fishing community, the statutory agencies and academia will give perspectives on river management in relation to river fly populations, analysis of long-term population change, and possible reasons for these trends. This will be followed by a panel discussion, which will provide a forum for the audience and speakers to discuss the issues raised, address further questions and propose a framework for ongoing consideration of the issues.

The conference will take place at the Natural History Museum in London. In order to make the conference as widely accessible as possible, delegate costs have been kept at £20, to include refreshments and lunch. Registration details, a flyer and an outline programme for the day are attached. Please contact Bridget Peacock (details below) for further information, and circulate the conference flyer among friends and colleagues who may also be interested. Places are limited, so if you do intend to come, please let us know soon. Bridget Peacock UK Biodiversity Programme The Natural History Museum Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD
Tel: 0207 942 5932 Email:[email protected] River flies include Ephemeroptera (mayflies or up-winged flies), Trichoptera (caddisflies or sedges) and Plecoptera (stoneflies), a total of 279 British species. These groups represent the natural flies that fly-fishermen imitate with their artificial lures.
RIVER FLIES - A BEACON FOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY One day conference at The Natural History Museum
09.30-10.00 Registration Foyer, Flett Theatre Lecture Programme Flett Theatre
10.00 Welcome Richard Lane, Director of Science, The Natural History Museum
10.05 Introduction Matt Shardlow, Bug life and Chair of the River fly Interest Group
RIVER MANAGEMENT IN RELATION TO RIVER FLIES Chair Matt Shardlow
10.15 Managing for the fly fishing experience Paul Knight, Salmon and Trout Association
10.35 River flies in the Environment Agency remit Environment Agency speaker
10.55 River invertebrate conservation Jon Webb/Roger Key, English Nature
11.15 - 11.40 Refreshments
RIVER FLY TRENDS & AREAS OF CONCERN Chair Peter Lapsley
11.40 Climatic effects on upland river flies Steve Ormerod, University of Wales, Cardiff
12.05 Environment Agency – findings and approaches Graham Lightfoot/Shirley Medgett, Environment Agency
12.30 The future – what the fisherman can do Cyril Bennett, John Spedan Lewis Trust for the Advancement of the Natural Sciences
12.55 - 14.00 Lunch
PANEL DISCUSSION & OVERVIEW Chair: Ian Gibson MP, Science & Technology Select Committee
14.00 Overview of river fly trends Steve Brooks, The Natural History Museum
14.20 The National River fly Recording Schemes Craig Macadam, National Ephemeroptera Recording Scheme Co-ordinator
14.40 Panel discussion and questions from the audience Panel drawn from the morning speakers and chairs 15.45 Summing up & concluding remarks Matt Shardlow, River fly Interest Group
16.00 Close