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WRFT Activities

Measuring an electro-fishing site in the Little Gruinard River SAC

Measuring an electro-fishing site in the Little Gruinard River SAC

The main purpose of the Wester Ross Fisheries Trust is to support the health of our local wild fish populations. The primary way we do this is by the collection, analysis and publication of scientific data relating to fish populations in the area to inform fisheries conservation and management and support those involved in the management of rivers and lochs. Our principle scientific activity focusses on an extensive annual programme of population monitoring across freshwater and estuarine habitats on over 30 rivers. The resulting information, together with our historic data sets, is made available through scientific publications, reports and briefings to policy makers, managers and government organisations concerned with the management of rivers and fish populations. To extend public awareness of fisheries related issues, the Trust also organises local 'open days' and a range of meetings with representatives of government and nongovernment organisations. The Trust has developed several school-based education projects including 'Salmon in the Classroom' and 'Life in Lochs' that are delivered to all school students in our area. Two newsletters and an annual review are produced each year. This website is intended to provide further access to information about fisheries investigations, monitoring and management in the area and updates on WRFT activities.

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  • Juvenile salmon production and nutrition in Wester Ross 2023
    This report summarises the results of the juvenile salmon survey in Wester Ross in summer and early autumn, 2023. The report focusses on contrasting the size and biomass of juvenile salmon at different sites. There was much variation in growth; some sites had high densities of larger parr; at other sites parr were small and thin. Important missing food items for parr at some sites may include caddis fly larvae, terrestrial insects, and surplus washed-out salmon eggs which in some rivers may have been of crucial importance for pre-smolt salmon parr. Is it time to provide supplementary food for juvenile salmon in some rivers? .  Posted: 05/02/2024 (1.65MB)
  • Wester Ross Bivalves
    Presentation by Roger Mclachlan from the seashells workshop at Gairloch Museum on 2nd December 2023. This presentation provides an introduction to the identification of bivalve seashells most often found on local shores (a few others too). The last page of the presentation has links to sources of information to help with identification and recording. Please go to iSpot 'Bivalves of Wester Ross' project page to report any interesting finds. Good luck!.  Posted: 04/12/2023 (5.37MB)
  • Little Loch Broom BRUV Surveys 2022
    Presentation by Dr Neil Hopkins and Dr Charlotte Hopkins describing animal movements in relation to seascapes and underwater habitats from baited underwater remote video survey of Gruinard Bay and Little Loch Broom in 2022, shown at Wester Ross MPA Discovery Day on 14th October 2022. Screenshots have been taken from video clips presented to illustrate animal diversity recorded. .  Posted: 08/11/2022 (1.47MB)
  • Herring Fisheries & West of Scotland Herring Hunt
    Presentation by Dr Michelle Frost at the Wester Ross MPA Discovery Day in Ullapool on 14th October 2022. .  Posted: 08/11/2022 (4.47MB)
  • Maerl biodiversity and carbon poster
    Maerl, often referred to as coral by former herring fishermen, is the most important priority marine feature for which the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area was desgnated. Maerl seabed habitats provide homes for many animals including spawning herring, juvenile cod and scallops. Maerl beds around Wester Ross are some of the most important in Europe but remain inadequately surveyed. They are damaged by scallop dredging and organic nutrient rich waste discharges from open cage salmon farms.  Posted: 30/05/2022 (901KB)
  • Welcome back to new WRFT_7MB
    This presentation (smartphone resolution) prepared for the relaunch of the 'new' Trust in April 2021 reviews wild salmon and sea trout in Wester Ross, some pressures they face, past work and support, and future objectives for WRFT. .  Posted: 13/04/2021 (6.73MB)
  • Skye and Wester Ross Fisheries Trust Review September 2020
    This review presents a summary of the work of the Skye and Wester Ross Fisheries Trust during the 15 months up to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 and other related information including catch reports, results of fish surveys, an assessment of wild salmon populations and some of the pressures they face, and reports from project activities. .  Posted: 23/09/2020 (8.05MB)
  • Scottish Invasive Species Initiative
    This document provides background information and links to further information about this collaborative heritage lottery funded project, which focuses on mink monitoring and control, invasive plants and education and awareness; with lots of opportunities for volunteers!.  Posted: 18/02/2019 (522KB)
  • SWRFT Newsletter February 2019
    This newsletter provides a summary of SWRFT activities in 2018 including sea trout surveys, juvenile fish survey, other project work and other fisheries relate news. .  Posted: 11/02/2019 (3.61MB)
  • Gairloch Seashore & Snorkel Trail discovery day 11 July 2018
    Notice of forthcoming event on Gairloch Golf Course beach.  Posted: 22/06/2018 (537KB)
  • Wester Ross Fisheries Trust Poster of Activities 2012
    This poster was prepared in 2012 to summarise the activities of the Trust in freshwater and marine environments. Production was supported by the Scottish Government via RAFTS.  Posted: 17/01/2017 (8.94MB)
  • Skye & WRFT Newsletter January 2017
    This newsletter provides a summary of activities on Skye and on the mainland during the 2016 field season, including juvenile fish surveys, sea trout sampling and education projects.  Posted: 13/01/2017 (2.57MB)
  • WRFT Biologist's Review of Recent Activities, October 2016
    Presentation prepared for the Skye & Wester Ross Fisheries Trust Open Day at the Loch Torridon Centre, 24th October 2016.  Posted: 31/10/2016 (24.36MB)
  • WRFT Review May 2016
    This review covers the period February 2015 to April 2016, and presents summaries describing the status of wild fish populations, the results of sea trout and sea lice monitoring work including sea trout around the Loch Torridon area, a summary of the activities of the Skye Fisheries Trust, work to monitor and control invasive species, a section on education and student project and much else.  Posted: 19/05/2016 (6.18MB)
  • WRFT Review January 2015
    This review covers an 18 month period from July 2013 to December 2014 (with Jan 2015 update from Wester Ross Area Salmon Fishery Board) and presents a summary of the results of fish juvenile fish surveys, sea trout and sea louse monitoring, fish farming related issues, surveys on the Isle of Skye, a Little Gruinard macro-invertebrate study, mink monitoring and other activities carried out by the Trust.  Posted: 21/01/2015 (7.09MB)
  • Tournaig grilse 2012 photo mosaic
    This high definition picture is a mosaic of photos of 39 of the grilse that were taken in the upstream trap at Touraing in 2012, between July and September. Zoom in to examine each fish. Contrast the colour of the fish, their condition and predator marks. Note that the file is large! All photos were taken by Ben Rushbrooke.  Posted: 14/06/2013 (15.82MB)
  • WRFT Review July 2012
    This is the latest 'annual review' which covers work carried out during the 2011 field seson, and includes sections on juvenile fish surveys, salmon catches, sea trout sampling (and sea lice), arctic charr, interviews with herring fishermen, and WRFT schools based project.  Posted: 04/07/2012 (1.83MB)
  • Dundonnell Wildlife Wonders Saturday 14th August
    Schedule of wildlife activites based at Dundonnell House on Saturday 14th August 2010.  Posted: 02/08/2010 (83KB)
  • Dundonnell Wildlife Weekend question time
    Posted: 02/08/2010 (129KB)
  • WRFT Review May 2010
    This annual review present a summary of the work of the Trust over the year 2009 to 2010 including surveys of juvenile fish, sea trout in the sea, invasve non-native species, catch records, and a range of fisheries management and education projects.  Posted: 17/05/2010 (5.52MB)
  • WRFT Stillwater Workshop & RAFTS Challenge
    First notice of workshop and RAFTS Challenge on 12-13 June.  Posted: 06/03/2009 (336KB)
  • WRFT FMP 2009+ Summary
    WRFT Fisheries Management Plan 2009+ Summary and Contents page.  Posted: 25/02/2009 (4.06MB)
  • Arctic charr discovery week 2008 1st notice
    Please download this document for details of the WRFT Arctic charr discovery week.  Posted: 09/09/2008 (162KB)