NRW have notified us that they will be running their annual fish trapping programme from mid-March into May. The site will be manned while trapping is carried out.

The trapping device (similar to the one in the image) will be tethered by cables stretching across the river and a portage will be required.

NRW will have signage in place and there is suitable portage points both upstream and downstream of the device.

Rotary Screw Traps (RSTs) are temporary fish traps used to capture young salmon and sea trout on their journey to the sea. This note informs canoeists and other river users where and when they may encounter these in-river structures.

In 2025 a RST will be operated on the River Usk between Penpont and Aberbran at two potential sites (SN 98114 28812 and SN 98305 28945 – see map).

These traps come in various sizes but all consist of a rotating cone-shaped drum mounted between two floating pontoons. Operation involves the positioning of each trap in the main body of the flow where the cone is lowered into the water until half submerged. Water flowing through the mouth of the cone causes it to rotate by acting on an internal vane. The same vane moves any fish which enter the drum to the rear of the RST where they are delivered into a holding box for tagging and release.

The trap will be fished only in the Spring (mid March to May), and then just between the hours of dusk and dawn - when it will be manned. Warning signage will be placed upstream of the trap on a line across the river and on the trap itself.