Abstract
Attempts to relate the impacts of an experimental weed-cutting programme, involving the partial and total clearance of aquatic and bankside vegetation, to the abundance of fish stocks in a small lowland river were made difficult by large inherent fluctuations in population levels within the fish community. However, mapping studies showed fish distribution in uncut and partially cut sections to be strongly associated with weed cover, particularly that provided by overhanging backside vegetation. It is suggested that a partial-cut strategy, in which marginal weed beds and bankside vegetation are left undisturbed, is more beneficial to fisheries than traditional programmes of weed clearance. Increased fish movements during the operation of a weed-cutting launch suggest that this form of control may result in more disturbance to the fish community than does manual weed control. Weed-cutting and other weed management practices are discussed in relation to fisheries ecology and conservation.
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