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Science Saving Sea Trout

Tagging a sea trout

Marine Scotland Shieldaig Project Biologist, Jim Raffell, tagging a sea trout with a work experience pupil from Plockton High School

Education and raising awareness have always been regarded as a vital part of the WRFT's work programme. In 1997, WRFT won an award from the Millennium Commission to give a series of presentations under the project title "Science Saving Sea Trout". This project was a joint initiative with Scottish Government scientists at the Fisheries Research Services [now Marine Scotland] "Shieldaig Sea trout Project" and local primary schools. The first WRFT Biologist, Dr James Butler, subsequently gave talks to school pupils at schools throughout the WRFT area and beyond.

WRFT has continued to work closely with Marine Scotland's staff. The Marine Scotland Shieldaig Sea trout project visitor centre by Loch Torridon has a series of displays describing the life cycle and ecology of sea trout and research projects being carried out to support the recovery of local stocks.

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  • Wester Ross Bivalves
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    This presentation by Alasdair Macdonald of Dundonnell estate discusses deer stalking and explains why some red deer carcasses may be left on the hill. Animals which are in poor condition and not fit for human consumption may be left on the hill for nutrient to be recycled. Bones and antlers are rich in valuable nutrients so best left on the hill. However once taken off the hill, regulations restrict the return of bones back on to the hill. .  Posted: 02/05/2023 (1.26MB)
  • Glen Torridon Partnership: a landscape-scale Nature Restoration Project by Malcolm Turner
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  • Catchment vegetation, hummocks and wild salmon habitat resilience
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  • Herring Fisheries & West of Scotland Herring Hunt
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  • Spring spawning herring recorded on video to west of Red Point
    This article describes some of the events during March 2019 when Andy Jackson of SubseaTV was able to record on video herring spawning near Loch Gairloch in Wester Ross. The video was broadcast on BBC Blue Planet UK on 29th March 2019. .  Posted: 29/03/2019 (1.04MB)
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