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Good ecological status? A workshop on wild salmon, sea trout and their habitats in Wester Ross

Posted: Friday 29 March, 2024 @ 10:16:57

Falls on the River Balgy, June 2023. Is there a future for a native wild salmon population here?

Loch Torridon Community Centre, Tuesday 23rd April 10am – 2.30pm (followed by the WRFT AGM at 3pm)

The purpose of this workshop is to review the health of wild salmon and sea trout populations in Wester Ross and what can be done to support wild fish and associated ecosystems.

Please find below a revised programme which includes consideration of both freshwater and coastal-marine habitat-related issues that affect wild fish populations, including several reports from our own work over the past year.

We are awaiting confirmation from several people that they are happy to do a presentation; the final programme should be ready a few days prior to the meeting.

10:00    Tea and coffee on arrival

10.20    Welcome and introduction. Dr Michael Aitchison (Chair, WRFT); Dr Sue Ward (Administrator, WRFT)

10.30    Endangered wild salmon populations? Are surplus salmon eggs a vital food source for pre-smolt salmon parr in some rivers in Wester Ross? Peter Cunningham (Biologist, WRFT)

10:55    Short introductions from local groups and researchers

11.10    Break

11.30    Still too many sea lice in coastal waters? Future prospects. Peter Cunningham (WRFT Biologist) 

11.50    Rediscovery of a herring spawning ground near Gairloch. Dr Michelle Frost (West of Scotland Herring Hunt)

12.10    Inshore Fisheries Management group update. Alastair Hamilton (North West Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group)

12.30    Lunch

13:30    Introduction to discussion groups: how heathy are our waters for wild salmon and sea trout populations? What can be done to improve them?

13:40    Discussion groups (A) freshwater habitats, (B) coastal marine habitats . . .

14:30    Report back and sum up

14:40    end of workshop

 

15:00    WRFT AGM (please see other notice)          

If you would like to come, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can plan accordingly.

A simple lunch will be provided with vegetarian options. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements? 

Thanks everyone!

Please contact Peter Cunningham (info@wrft.org.uk / 07786 836 003) or Sue Ward (admin@wrft.org.uk) for further information.