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.