Fish Swimming Dynamics and Behaviour in the Vicinity of a Fish Exclusion Screen

This PhD project will examine the effectiveness of different fish exclusion screens, to enable fish to safely remain in the main river system and allow safe passage. The screens are used to stop fish entering water abstraction, discharge points and bypass channels, and deter them away from impounded waters that as well as being hazardous, severely impact on their migration cycle. A number of screens are already in use on rivers which comprise of large meshes made of metal or plastic placed across the entrance of the water abstraction inlet/outlet. Little information is known on the efficiency of these screens for different fish species, fish sizes life stages and subsequent ecological impacts in the abstracted waterbody. The main objective of this PhD will be to quantify this aspect through experiments using large scale flumes, which are physical replica of streams, in the hydraulics laboratory at Cardiff University as well as where possible in-situ research on operating screens. The supervisory team is composed of academics from both engineering and biology backgrounds who have a track record of supervising students in this area and in this specific research area.

The successful candidate will develop expertise in Fluid Mechanics, Engineering, Experimental Design, Fisheries Management and Imagery Technology, specifically relating to flow dynamics and freshwater fish.

Studentships will last for 3.5 years full-time or the equivalent period part-time. Applicants must demonstrate an outstanding academic record: at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent, or relevant masters degree.