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Aims

The aims of the trust are as follows:

  1. To conserve the genetic diversity and structure of wild fish populations and the habitats that support them within the WRFT area. The main species of fisheries importance are Atlantic salmon and Brown trout (including sea trout). Some river systems support several discrete populations of salmon or trout. Wester Ross is also a stronghold for arctic charr with at least 20 poorly known populations within the WRFT area.
  2. Fisheries are sustainably managed to maximise productivity. There is a need to ensure that stocks are not exploited to levels at which there are inadequate numbers of spawning fish. The 'catch and release' policy is a means of minimizing mortality, and has been recommended and adopted by many salmon and sea trout fisheries and some brown trout fisheries in the area.
  3. There are wider benefits for other wildlife, biodiversity, ecology and amenity of the area. Many other animals, including Otter, Black-throated diver, White-tailed eagle, Osprey, many smaller birds, and insects (including carrion beetles, and in-stream invertebrates) will benefit from increasing returns of salmon and sea trout. Habitat restoration activities and possible trials to restore stream fertility should not adversely affect other vulnerable species, such as Freshwater pearl mussels.

Related Downloads

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  • Wester Ross Fisheries Management Plan 2023 - 2028
    This interactive plan provides information about pressures affecting wild salmon and sea trout populations in the Wester Ross area, and proposes a series of actions required to protect, support and strengthen wild fish populations in the Wester Ross area. Comments are welcome, please contact the WRFT Biologist at info@wrft.org.uk .  Posted: 05/04/2024 (372KB)
  • Fishy Tales by Sea, Gairloch 21 October 2023
    Poster advertising a family day on the beach and in Gairloch Community Hall in collaboration with Thunderbolts and Lightning theatre company, West of Scotland Herring Hunt, Dr Neil Burns underwater fish and fish habitats video project, and others. .  Posted: 21/09/2023 (206KB)
  • Welcome back to new WRFT_7MB
    This presentation (smartphone resolution) prepared for the relaunch of the 'new' Trust in April 2021 reviews wild salmon and sea trout in Wester Ross, some pressures they face, past work and support, and future objectives for WRFT. .  Posted: 13/04/2021 (6.73MB)
  • Welcome back to new WRFT_18MB
    This presentation (for computer) prepared for the relaunch of the 'new' Trust in April 2021 reviews the wild salmon and sea trout of Wester Ross, pressures they face, some past work and support, and future objectives for WRFT.  Posted: 13/04/2021 (17.66MB)
  • Skye and Wester Ross Fisheries Trust Review February 2018
    This review summarises the work of the Skye and Wester Ross Fisheries Trust during the period June 2016 to December 2018.  Posted: 06/02/2018 (7.46MB)
  • WRFT Review of Activities 2009 to 2012
    This review summaries the work of Wester Ross Fisheries Trust during the period 2009 to 2012 in support of the WRFT Fisheries Management Plan 2009+, and sets priorites for future activities.  Posted: 11/12/2012 (2.62MB)
  • WRFT Review July 2012
    This is the latest 'annual review' which covers work carried out during the 2011 field seson, and includes sections on juvenile fish surveys, salmon catches, sea trout sampling (and sea lice), arctic charr, interviews with herring fishermen, and WRFT schools based project.  Posted: 04/07/2012 (1.83MB)
  • WRFT Review May 2009
    Wester Ross Fisheries Trust Annual Review, May 2009.  Posted: 19/05/2009 (4.82MB)