Fish Measuring Boards
Case Study:
Supporting the Environment Agency with Sustainable GRP Fish Boards.
Overview:
As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting the UK’s freshwater ecosystems, the Environment Agency required durable, lightweight, and weather-resistant fish measuring boards in two standard sizes: 500mm and 1000mm. These boards are essential tools used by field operatives and conservation officers to monitor fish populations, support data collection, and drive conservation initiatives.
Lamplas were approached to design and manufacture these boards using Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP), aligning with both performance and sustainability goals.
The Challenge:
The Environment Agency needed fish measuring boards that could:
- Withstand harsh environmental conditions, including prolonged exposure to water, UV, and fluctuating temperatures.
- Remain lightweight for easy transport and use during fieldwork.
- Be produced with minimal environmental impact, supporting the Agency’s sustainability values.
- Maintain dimensional stability and precision for accurate data collection.
Conventional materials like metal or wood were either too heavy, prone to corrosion or rot, or lacked the necessary durability. GRP presented a promising alternative — if manufactured correctly.
Key Contributions by Lamplas:
Lamplas leveraged its in-house design, tooling, and composite manufacturing capabilities to deliver a tailored solution that met the Environment Agency’s needs:
Design & Development
Lamplas collaborated with stakeholders to refine the fish board design, ensuring:
- Easy-to-read, engraved measurement markings.
- Smooth, snag-free surfaces to protect fish during handling.
- Ergonomic shapes for ease of use in the field.
Tooling
Custom tooling was developed to allow efficient production of both 500mm and 1000mm boards. This allowed for consistency across batches while accommodating different end-use cases.
Material Selection
GRP was selected due to its:
- High strength-to-weight ratio.
- Corrosion resistance.
- Long service life, even in aquatic and outdoor environments.
Lamplas also explored low-emission resin systems and recycled glass fibres to reduce the environmental footprint of each unit — aligning with both Lamplas’ and the Environment Agency’s sustainability goals.
Manufacturing
Boards were manufactured with precision and attention to detail, using lean manufacturing practices to:
- Reduce waste.
- Minimise energy consumption.
- Deliver consistent quality across all units.
Impact:
- Durability: The GRP boards are now in use across the UK, delivering reliable performance in diverse field conditions.
- Sustainability: Compared to metal or wood alternatives, the GRP boards offer an extended service life with minimal maintenance, reducing the need for frequent replacement and disposal.
- Weight Reduction: Operatives benefit from lightweight, easy-to-carry equipment that improves fieldwork efficiency.
- Positive Reception: The Environment Agency praised the boards for their quality, usability, and alignment with environmental values.
How we Manage your Projects
Working closely with you at the design stage, to help develop your ideas into manufacturable components.
Translating designs through robust product development, into high quality finished products.
Producing patterns made by the traditional hand method, or cut by CNC for more complicated and accurate shapes.
Our processes include hand-lay, spray-up, RTM closed mould and solid surface casting.
