Heading into spring

The last few weeks have been quite busy for the Trust. Firstly we received an award from the Highland Council in recognition of our support of the Highland Schools. This work is always good fun to do as we continue to help with the Primary Schools and are developing ever deeper links with Kinlochbervie High School. Being able to get into the schools and introduce the children and young adults to the natural environment and its needs will hopefully be building a good base for the future management and protection of our rivers and therefore fish.

Then sweep netting started, with a sweep of the Laxford estuary resulting in 3 kelts. Unfortunately the weather was pretty bad - hail storms and strongish winds - so maybe the fish were just being a lot more sensible than us! Still, it was great to see the start of the field season as that shows summer is coming, for good or bad. Unfortunately the Polla netting had to be cancelled as snow melt brought the river up to spate conditions. Still, the snow was melting....

The RAFTS AGM and General Committee meeting was followed the next day by the Conference. Ably managed by the old (morning) and new (afternoon) chairmen, this was a really interesting and informative event. Given the catchy (!?!) title 'The devloping role of he third sector: what can fisheries trust bring to the party?', it started with a number of speakers detailing past and future partnership opportunities before moving on to illustrate some of the activities currently undertaken. This centred on the use of genetics - which was very thought provoking - and the tackling of Invasive Non-Native Species. The latter is of particular relevance when you consider the damage that can be done by very simple but thoughtless acts. It asks once again that anglers and other river users think before acting and disinfect or dry all of their equipment before moving between areas and not to introduce species not native to that area. For this we are particularly concerned about the potential spread of the freshwater louse and Gyrodactylus salaris as the movement of fish is against the law (although still an issue). However, gardeners (and pond owners), council workers and contractors are probably a prime source of the spread of vegetative non-natives and need to also think about the potential impact of their actions.

Preparations for the Ghillies Seminar are well underway and all of the speakers identified. This year will have a mixed theme - covering freshwater pearly mussels, fish catches, predators and mink - but is relevant to all attending. Notes from the Seminar will be published on the Trust website (http://www.wsft.co.uk/), probably at the start of May. Hopefully we'll be able to get the Annual Review out at about this time as well. Covering the work undertaken in 2010 this gives a good overview of the varied interests of the Trust and can be purchased from the Biologist (wsft@btconnect.com).

In the next few weeks, as well as the Ghillies Seminar, Donna-Claire will be heading on to pastures new, working with RAFTS on the Aquaculture project, and Chris will be attending a SEPA course on Barrier Assessment. This will help in the identification of barriers throughout the area and allow access to funding in order to help with their removal. This has the potential to open up additional areas for fish and improve their lot. We will also be attending meetings on the development of future projects involving INNS and freshwater pearl mussels. Things continue to move....

Chris and Lynne continue to gear up for their marathon in aid of Bliss (a charity for premature babies) and the WSFT. Taking place in May, remember that you can make it more worth their while by donating money. This can be done via the website - either using Paypal or by sending a donation to the Trust office.

Build up to sampling

As I write, the weather is forecast to turn increasingly wintery and we are planning the first post-smolt netting of the year! Next week, Friday 18th, will hopefully see us and our brave band of idiots, I mean volunteers!, pulling a net around the Laxford estuary in the search for sea trout. Here's hoping that 2011 will be as interesting as 2010. To this end, we've just heard that the project to look at sea lice numbers on wild sea trout in relation to distance from fish farms will go ahead again this year, with funding from Marine Scotland. Our sweep netting data from May and June will form part of this work.

Additional work within the Aquaculture project will include the development of a GIS model to look at the sensitivity of the coastal areas to development. This will help all on the west coast be more understanding about areas where further development is definitely not wanted and those where development could be acceptable. This is obviously being developed with aquaculture in mind but will also be useful for other activities, including marine renewables. We will also be helping to develop further information on the genetics of the area as well as being involved in liaison between wild and farmed fish interests.

Two members of staff will be employed by RAFTS to undertake the project management and development of the GIS system. Donna-Claire and Diane will be taken on for 1 year in the first instance, although obviously we hope that this will be extended in order to give us the best possible model. Both were previously employed as Regional Development Officers - Diane in the Outer Hebrides and Donna-Claire jointly with the WSFT and Wester Ross - so have a great deal of experience within the field. Their new position starts in April.

On the domestic front, our website has once again been upgraded and it is now possible to donate to the Trust by Paypal or credit card. You can now join the Trust (£25, leave your name and address) or support Chris and Lynne on their marathon run at the click of a button. Go to http://www.wsft.co.uk/. We'd also appreciate any feedback on the site as we would like to make this as user friendly and informative as possible. You can also follow us on Twitter, @WSFTrust, for short updates.