Research and analysis

Developing quality assurance for fish counter data

The fish counters operated by the Environment Agency were examined as there had been no consistent protocols used and there was an unacceptable variety in the methods of operation.

Documents

Developing Quality Assurance for Fish Counter Data

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Developing Quality Assurance for Fish Counter Data

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

Each of the 41 fish counters operated by the Environment Agency, either in the past, the present or proposed for the future, were examined in relation to four criteria:

  • Counter Purpose
  • Counter Location and Design
  • Operational Quality of Data Produced
  • Counter Costs

Each of these criteria was further broken down into a number of assessment categories. Individual scores were established for each counter to give a ranking. The results clearly showed the wide variation in counter operation and design between sites within the counter network and that this variation is irrespective of the relative “value” of that data to the fishery function. These variations reflected two things:

  • An under funding of the counter network in the past.
  • The non-targeted allocation or prioritisation of resources within the fish counter network.

Updates to this page

Published 1 January 2003

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