Broodstock netting finishes

Despite the ice on the river we've finally managed to get all of the broodstock we need. It was quite exciting - sheet ice made it interesting as the fish went underneath and then back again - with Scott taking the prize for best catcher. While the net took the most fish (it should, shouldn't it) he managed to grab 5 decent fish and get them into the waiting landing nets. Go get them...!

Thats it finished now - we have all the eggs we need and have managed to get genetic samples from a good number of fish. Hopefully we'll see some of our stocked fish returning to spawn. A number of genetic samples from the river might also show some of 'our babies', although less likely as only one trbutary is being stocked. A better sample rate in future might get good results though, so here's hoping.

The roads are still a bit iffy, so stuck in the office for a bit longer. All of the equipment has now been dried, cleaned and put away and report writing is on-going.

The Trust is updating

The weather is bad, winter setting in and its a good chance to catch up on all the little things that should be done but aren't. So, the Website has been tweaked and updated and attention now turns to the Blog. We'd appreciate any comments you might have on the content and layout - we're new to this!

Report writing is well under way and everything should be out on time, if not early this year - the Review is usually published in May, with the project reports ready for February. It depends what else is happening of course, with a brief thaw likely to bring up the rivers and get us out broodstock netting again. Have to say, not looking forward to that in this weather!!

Its looking exciting on the future projects as well. Chris has managed to secure funding for an elver project next year and Shona has finally got the funding to complete the genetic study on wild/fish farm interactions. Watch this space for details as the work starts. Other than that, we'll be doing the usual sweep netting and elstrofishing as well as getting more heavily involved in the management of non-native species and trying to get some other new projects underway.

Shona and Chris pass course.

Biologists Shona and Chris both completed and passed the "Safe use of Pesticides" Course and exams today. This was in the Trusts Biosecurity plan and means now that INNS can be properly treated.