The City of London Corporation has awarded a £4,800 grant to support the 54th City of London Thames Fishery Research Experiment, scheduled to take place on October 10, 2026. The annual event, which has been running since 1973, combines an angling competition with scientific research to survey fish populations in the River Thames. The total cost of the 2025 event was £15,312, with the £4,800 grant from the City's Estate fund partially financing the upcoming experiment. Funding for the 2025 event was also provided by contributions from the Fishmongers' Company (£750), the PLA (£250), and the Thames Angling Preservation Society, along with a donated trophy.
The grant will help finance the experiment, which has increasingly focused on scientific study in recent years. Partnerships with the University of Essex and the University Centre at Sparsholt aim to better understand the biodiversity and health of the River Thames. These institutions contribute by linking the experiment into their ongoing research programmes, with students collecting fish samples for scientific analysis. Their research projects and sampling methodologies are fully approved by the Ethics Board of each university.
During the 53rd experiment in October 2025, 73 anglers participated, catching 50 fish across five species: 9 bass, 25 eel, 12 flounder, 3 pouting, and 1 sole. Researchers noted the value of the data collected, despite the low catch numbers, and plan to continue their involvement. 
Researchers are studying the impact of river pollution on fish health and survival. Specifically, they are looking at how elevated nitrogen isotope ratios (δ⁵N) in fish tissues can be associated with sewage runoff. They are also investigating microplastic abundance and composition in fish livers and the combined effects of microplastics and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) on liver health.
Beyond surveying current fish populations, the long-term goals of the Thames Fishery Research Experiment include creating and understanding the biodiversity and health of the River Thames better, contributing to scientific research on the impact of river pollution on fish health and growth, fostering a sense of community among river stakeholders, serving an educational purpose by involving young people in marine conservation, and reducing fish mortality rates and promoting sustainable angling techniques.
Councillor Marianne Bernadette Fredericks suggested that members not participating in fishing could undertake litter picking during the event to further contribute to the river's environmental efforts. Officers confirmed that this could be logistically coordinated, with Gavin Stedman adding, 'Certainly something that we can organise. We have done it before and we have done clear ups in that area prior to the event, actually, where we've worked with the PLA and the Environment Agency to do that bit of work. But certainly we can look into logistically how we sort of coordinate that sort of bit of work.'
The Port Health and Environmental Services Committee approved the grant during their meeting on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The meeting agenda and public reports pack can be found at Agenda frontsheet 21st-Jul-2026 11.00 Port Health Environmental Services Committee and Public reports pack 21st-Jul-2026 11.00 Port Health Environmental Services Committee.
