EN 14962:2006
(Main)Water quality - Guidance on the scope and selection of fish sampling methods
Water quality - Guidance on the scope and selection of fish sampling methods
This document defines methods for sampling fish and procedures for selection of methods in order to evaluate fish populations in rivers, lakes and transitional waters. A selected literature with references in support of this document is given in the bibliography. This document refers to the standards "Water quality - Sampling of fish with electricity" (EN 14011) and "Water quality - Sampling of fish with multi-mesh gillnets" (EN 14757).
Wasserbeschaffenheit - Anleitung zur Anwendung und Auswahl von Verfahren zur Probenahme von Fischen
Qualité de l'eau - Guide sur le domaine d'application et la sélection des méthodes d'échantillonnage de poissons
La présente Norme européenne décrit les méthodes d'échantillonnage des poissons et les modes opératoires pour la sélection des méthodes afin d'évaluer les populations de poissons dans les rivières, les lacs et les eaux de transition. La bibliographie contient une sélection de textes avec des références venant à l'appui de la présente norme. Ce document fait référence aux normes " Échantillonnage des poissons à l'électricité " (EN 14011) et " Échantillonnage des poissons à l'aide de filets maillants " (prEN 14757, en cours de préparation).
Kakovost vode – Navodilo za področje uporabe in izbiro metod vzorčenja rib
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 25-Apr-2006
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 230 - Water analysis
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 230 - Water analysis
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 12-Jul-2022
- Completion Date
- 14-Apr-2025
Overview
EN 14962:2006 - Water quality: Guidance on the scope and selection of fish sampling methods (CEN) - provides practical guidance for selecting and applying fish sampling methods to evaluate fish populations in rivers, lakes and transitional waters. The standard focuses on assessing species composition, abundance and age structure of fish communities and helps users match methods to water type, habitat and monitoring objectives.
Key topics and requirements
- Purpose and scope: Defines procedures for choosing appropriate fish-sampling techniques to support water quality and ecological assessments. References the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) terminology for rivers, lakes and transitional waters.
- Categorisation of waters:
- Rivers & transitional waters: categories based on maximum width and depth (e.g., brook <5 m wide & <1 m deep up to >100 m wide).
- Lakes: categories by area and presence/absence of pelagic/profundal zones (e.g., <0.5 km2, >0.5 km2 with/without pelagic zone).
- Sampling principles:
- Sampling methods separated into capture (electrofishing, seining, trawls, nets) and non-capture techniques.
- Gear classified as active (electrofishing, seining, trawling) or passive (gillnets, trammel nets).
- Seasonal timing, day/night, mesh size, and exposure time affect efficiency and selectivity.
- Representative methods described:
- Electrofishing (EN 14011 referenced): wading and boat electrofishing; notes on conductivity limits (example: limited effectiveness when conductivity γ < 6 mS/cm) and depth ranges (littoral up to ~2–3 m with adapted equipment).
- Seines: beach, bottom (normal) and pelagic (purse) seines with guidance on habitats and target sizes.
- Trawls and push nets: use in deeper or open-water habitats; cod-end mesh influences size-selectivity.
- Data considerations: Definitions and guidance for CPUE (catch per unit effort), abundance metrics (per area, volume, length) and age-structure assessment. Encourages combining methods and using fishery statistics when reliable.
- Safety & competence: Emphasises that sampling should be done by suitably trained personnel and with appropriate health and safety procedures.
Applications and users
- Environmental and water quality monitoring programmes
- Fisheries managers and stock assessment teams
- Environmental consultants and ecological survey contractors
- Research institutions and limnologists conducting population studies
- Authorities implementing river basin and lake monitoring under the Water Framework Directive
Related standards
- EN 14011 - Water quality - Sampling of fish with electricity (electrofishing)
- EN 14757 - Water quality - Sampling of fish with multi-mesh gillnets
EN 14962 is a practical reference for selecting fish sampling strategies that produce robust, comparable data for ecological status assessment, fisheries management and water-quality monitoring. Keywords: EN 14962, fish sampling, water quality, electrofishing, gillnets, seining, CPUE, fish abundance, species composition, age structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 14962:2006 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Water quality - Guidance on the scope and selection of fish sampling methods". This standard covers: This document defines methods for sampling fish and procedures for selection of methods in order to evaluate fish populations in rivers, lakes and transitional waters. A selected literature with references in support of this document is given in the bibliography. This document refers to the standards "Water quality - Sampling of fish with electricity" (EN 14011) and "Water quality - Sampling of fish with multi-mesh gillnets" (EN 14757).
This document defines methods for sampling fish and procedures for selection of methods in order to evaluate fish populations in rivers, lakes and transitional waters. A selected literature with references in support of this document is given in the bibliography. This document refers to the standards "Water quality - Sampling of fish with electricity" (EN 14011) and "Water quality - Sampling of fish with multi-mesh gillnets" (EN 14757).
EN 14962:2006 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.060.70 - Examination of biological properties of water. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 14962:2006 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2000/60/EC. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 14962:2006 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Water quality - Guidance on the scope and selection of fish sampling methodsQualité de l'eau - Guide sur le domaine d'application et la sélection des méthodes d'échantillonnage de poissonsWasserbeschaffenheit - Anleitung zur Anwendung und Auswahl von Verfahren zur Probenahme von FischenTa slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 14962:2006SIST EN 14962:2006en,fr,de65.15013.060.70ICS:SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 14962:200601-julij-2006
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 14962April 2006ICS 13.060.70 English VersionWater quality - Guidance on the scope and selection of fishsampling methodsQualité de l'eau - Guide sur le domaine d'application et lasélection des méthodes d'échantillonnage de poissonsWasserbeschaffenheit - Anleitung zur Anwendung undAuswahl von Verfahren zur Probenahme von FischenThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 16 March 2006.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2006 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 14962:2006: E
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
m m River category 1 (brook) < 5 < 1 River category 2 > 5 < 2 River category 3 < 30 > 2 River category 4 30 to 100 > 2 River category 5 > 100 > 2
km2 Lake category 1 With or without a pelagic or profundal zone < 0,5 Lake category 2 Without a pelagic or profundal zone > 0,5 Lake category 3 With a pelagic and profundal zone > 0,5 Table 3 — Categories for transitional waters Category Width max. Depth
m m Transitional water category 1 < 5 < 1 Transitional water category 2 > 5 < 2 Transitional water category 3 < 30 > 2 Transitional water category 4 30 to 100 > 2 Transitional water category 5 > 100 > 2
Within a river or transitional water, categories according to the Tables 1 and 3 usually change from lower to higher ones according to longitudinal changes. But also within a relatively short stretch of a river or transitional water, categories can change from lower to higher ones and vice versa. In this case, the area itself of a river or transitional water, and not the whole river or transitional water, should be classified according to the given categories. 6 Fish sampling 6.1 General Sampling methods are separated into methods by capture (6.2) and data sampling without fish capture (6.3). The principles are explained and the target water types or categories and fish species are given. The suitability of the methods is evaluated depending on the different water categories and their habitats as well as the target species. Target species are those species which can efficiently be caught by a particular method. Tables 4 to 6 provide a synopsis on sampling methods suitable or useful for the determination of the population parameters. Methods not described below may be used in order to obtain additional information. They shall not be used exclusively. 6.2 Fish sampling by capture 6.2.1 Principle of fish capture Fish may be caught by active gear (6.2.2 to 6.2.4) or passive (6.2.5 to 6.2.10). For all gear seasonal aspects shall be taken into account. The efficiency of active gear (electric fishing, seining, trawling) especially may vary considerably depending on the time (day/night) of use. Active gear is characterized by a comparatively short-term use, whereas passive ones normally are exposed over longer time periods. The fishing devices used shall be adapted to the local conditions as well as to the expected fish community. If it is intended to
1) For the use of angling statistics see 6.2.10.
2) The cod-end is a long-stretched net bag at the end of a seine or a trawl.
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...