Chris Williams

Trustee since 2024

I have a long-standing passion for fishing, fisheries and fish health, having fished since a young lad and studied at the Universities of Plymouth and Stirling specialising in fish disease. 

I started work at the Environment Agency’s National Fisheries Laboratory (NFL) in 1998 and now work with a fantastic team of technical specialists that deliver fish disease investigations, non-native species monitoring and fish ageing. This work underpins the health, performance and resilience of our fisheries nationally and involves working with anglers, fishery owners, academic partners and government bodies. 

I fish all over the country each year, but the onset of winter often means wading the Welsh Dee for grayling. For my 50th Birthday last year I visited Northern Sweden, fishing around the clock for grayling in some idyllic scenery. I’d love to go back!

As a member of the Grayling Society and EA Trout and Grayling Group, I am keen to combine my interests and day job to benefit our understanding of grayling - a lesser studied fish than many of our other species. I have supervised many academic and operational projects, worked with partners across the UK and Europe and supported many students to follow their interests and a career in fish.   

I’m delighted to be part of the GRT and am looking forward to helping where I can to broaden our knowledge of grayling and the development of its fisheries.