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Introduction to the Workshop: A common view amongst workers in the river fish habitat field is that there are inconsistencies in good practice, gaps in knowledge and lost opportunities that could be resolved, given better communication and co-ordination amongst the various bodies engaged in this work.  This workshop is set up to address some of these issues.  They will not all be solved by one event, but the intention is that it will answer some of the immediate problems and provide a sound framework for future development.  The invited participation brings in experience amongst the Government agencies, regulatory bodies, NGOs, River and Fishery trusts and universities.  This note gives some background to the matters that the workshop will cover.

HDMAR Workshop sections:
HDMAR Workshop material - Introduction, agenda, summaries of discussion, presentations and summaries of the current Habitat Assessment methodologies
HDMAR Workshop resources - Case studies, key references and some useful habitat assessment links
HDMAR Workshop recommendations - the HDMAR Workshop recommendations and "Blue Book"

The Scope: The workshop covers all fish species in rivers, but with two important caveats.  First, although most scientific knowledge and practice lies in the salmonid field, wider discussion on the work needed to expand habitat assessment to other fish species will be an important benefit of the workshop. Second, modern integrated catchment management recognises that other taxa and wider conservation interests are vital to include in assessments. Whilst the workshop will focus on fish, this will be in the context of river ecology as a whole. 

The intention is to set the workshop firmly in the context of the Ecosystems Approach and integrated catchment management to ensure that future developments in this area are fully compatible with contemporary European and national regulatory framework.  This requires that analysis and assessment must extend, as appropriate, from site to whole catchments and take on understanding of the fluvial and geomorphological processes that govern habitats and their connectivity across all scales.

The Outcomes: The outcomes sought from the workshop are:

• better awareness of the issues surrounding the description, assessment and application of habitat surveys;
• collation and dissemination of good practice that will bring more consistency to the activity, enabling easier sharing of results and a common language across workers in the field. Various media options, to be discussed at the workshop;
• a framework for future development – through for example a standing group on habitat assessment, e-discussion group or repeat workshops; and
• a prioritised programme of key future research needs and benefits  to put to potential funding bodies

Contacts:
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The HDMAR Workshop was sponsored by: