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Marine Issues

Problems at sea in areas beyond inshore waters are of particular concern to salmon - visit the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization web site for further information. Closer to home, sea lice remain a major factor limiting sea trout production. Predation by seals is regarded as a significant problem in some parts of the WRFT area; the impact to fish populations is hard to quantify.

Sea trout and the seas around Wester Ross   [Close]
Sea trout and the seas around Wester Ross [click to enlarge]

Sea Trout and the Seas Around Wester Ross

This poster (click to enlarge) shows how the survival and growth of sea trout may depend upon many factors within the coastal marine environment.

Note that a larger Adobe PDF version is available for download, below.

Related Downloads

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  • WRFT Newsletter September 2024
    This newsletter provides a summary of Trust activities from March 2024 to September 2024. Stories include reports of humpback whales feeding on krill, Peter Jarosz's retirement as WRFT Administrator, sea trout monitoring (our main field work activity during the summer of 2024), upper Bruachaig salmon habitat assessment, and a thank you to all our helpers!.  Posted: 03/10/2024 (1.25MB)
  • Wester Ross Fisheries Management Plan 2023 - 2028
    This interactive plan provides information about pressures affecting wild salmon and sea trout populations in the Wester Ross area, and proposes a series of actions required to protect, support and strengthen wild fish populations in the Wester Ross area. Comments are welcome, please contact the WRFT Biologist at info@wrft.org.uk .  Posted: 05/04/2024 (372KB)
  • Herring spawn found on maerl gravel ridges in March 2024 to NW of Gairloch
    This report describes a herring spawning event and subsequent discovery of herring eggs on maerl gravel ridges on the seabed to the west of Aultgrishan and North Erradale in March 2024. The report is illustrated with photographs of the sea to show turquoise water areas when herring were spawning, and subsequently of the seabed with herring spawn. .  Posted: 21/03/2024 (2.54MB)
  • 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)
  • WRFT Newsletter October 2023
    This newsletter provides a summary of work during the period March to September 2023 including sea trout sampling, juvenile salmon surveys and production, workshops and some other activities. .  Posted: 07/10/2023 (2.24MB)
  • Fishy Tales by Sea, Gairloch 21 October 2023
    Poster advertising a family day on the beach and in Gairloch Community Hall in collaboration with Thunderbolts and Lightning theatre company, West of Scotland Herring Hunt, Dr Neil Burns underwater fish and fish habitats video project, and others. .  Posted: 21/09/2023 (206KB)
  • A voluntary marine nature reserve for Gairloch?
    Presentation with some ideas for a marine nature reserve for Gairloch. Presentation revised in August 2023 after initial meeting in January 2018. For discussion . . . !.  Posted: 04/08/2023 (6.22MB)
  • Angus's Boat song 16 April 2023 words and story
    The song Angus's boat tells the story of the fisheries around Gairloch, Wester Ross. Angus was a fisherman who lived at Big Sand, by Loch Gairloch and whose wooden row boat was pulled up on the shore by the Sound of Longa. WRFT Biologist, Peter Cunningham often met Angus on the shore when he lived nearby; Angus also told his stories to Sue Pomeroy as part of the herring fishers project. Gairloch Museum also has recorded conversations with Angus. .  Posted: 17/04/2023 (171KB)
  • Towards reformation of inshore fisheries
    Paper by Peter Cunningham (WRFT Biologist) with ideas for reformation of inshore fisheries around northwest of Scotland to restore fisheries production and secure and sustain employment in inshore fisheries for many people in local communities. The paper has been drafted in Peter's own time, the views expressed are his own. .  Posted: 08/03/2023 (810KB)
  • Cryptocotyle lingua (blackspot) on juvenile cod in Loch Ewe, autumn 2022
    A summary of the findings from a coastal fyke net trial by Boor in Loch Ewe within the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area, to monitor sea trout, in autumn 2022. The report describes infestation of juvenile cod, pollack, coalfish and poor cod by the parasitic trematode fluke, Cryptocotyle lingua. .  Posted: 21/11/2022 (803KB)
  • 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)
  • Wester Ross Marine Protected Area an introduction
    Presentation by Nature Scot describing the history of the Wester Ross MPA, designation, protected features, management and monitoring, with links to further information. This presentation was delivered at the Wester Ross MPA Discovery Day on 14th October by Sue Pomeroy of Little Loch Broom Marine Life group. .  Posted: 08/11/2022 (709KB)
  • 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 by Prof Jason Hall-Spencer
    Maerl supports the whole web of life with 100s of species using it for spawning, nursery areas, hiding and feeding. This presentation by Prof Jason Hall-Spencer at Wester Ross MPA Discovery Day on 14th October explains why it is so important to protect maerl habitats. .  Posted: 27/10/2022 (1.92MB)
  • Finding Salmon and Sea trout around the Wester Ross MPA
    This presentation by Peter Cunningham introduces the main wild salmon rivers that flow into the Wester Ross MPA and describes some of the issues, including infestation by sea lice from poorly regulated open cage salmon farms, which threaten wild salmon populations and sea trout within the Wester Ross area. Can the wild salmon populations around the Wester Ross MPA be given additional protection?.  Posted: 27/10/2022 (11.01MB)
  • 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)
  • Status of Juvenile Wild Salmon in Wester Ross Northwest Scotland 2022
    This report provides a summary of the results of the 2021 juvenile fish survey in the Wester Ross area, and discusses findings and associated issues relating to the conservation and management of important wild salmon populations in the northwest of Scotland .  Posted: 01/02/2022 (5.70MB)
  • 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)
  • Welcome back to new WRFT_18MB
    This presentation (for computer) prepared for the relaunch of the 'new' Trust in April 2021 reviews the wild salmon and sea trout of Wester Ross, pressures they face, some past work and support, and future objectives for WRFT.  Posted: 13/04/2021 (17.66MB)
  • 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)
  • Spring spawning herring recorded on video to west of Red Point
    This article describes some of the events during March 2019 when Andy Jackson of SubseaTV was able to record on video herring spawning near Loch Gairloch in Wester Ross. The video was broadcast on BBC Blue Planet UK on 29th March 2019. .  Posted: 29/03/2019 (1.04MB)
  • Wester Ross Spring Spawning Herring Poster
    This poster shows some of the life-cycle and ecology of herring which spawn close to Red Point to the south west of Loch Gairloch in March. The poster is still in draft form; comments welcome! .  Posted: 29/03/2019 (912KB)
  • Gairloch An Dun headland snorkel trail draft leaflet
    This document provides some pictures from video surveys and other information about some of the fish and other animals that can sometimes be seen by snorkellers around the An Dun snorkel trail. .  Posted: 22/06/2018 (2.19MB)
  • Gairloch Seashore & Snorkel Trail discovery day 11 July 2018
    Notice of forthcoming event on Gairloch Golf Course beach.  Posted: 22/06/2018 (537KB)
  • Report from wrasse protection areas discussion meeting
    Report from a meeting in Ullapool on 4th May 2017 to discuss a proposed voluntary network of protection areas for wild wrasse (Ballan wrasse, Corkwing wrasse, Goldsinny wrasse, Cuckoo wrasse and Rock cook) within the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area. .  Posted: 25/05/2017 (724KB)
  • Sandeels & sea birds to the west of Melvaig, May 2017
    Sandeels are an important source of food for sea trout and sea birds. This series of video screenshots shows razorbills, guillemots and gulls feeding on a sandeel bait ball to the west of Melvaig on 13th May 2017. Picture have been slightly colour enhanced, and were recorded on a GoPro Hero3 camera. .  Posted: 17/05/2017 (1.74MB)
  • 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)
  • Response to Wester Ross MPA Conservation Measures Dec 2015
    WRFT response to the Scottish Government's consultation on draft Marine Conservation Order December 2015 regarding fisheries measures for the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area, submitted in January 2016.  Posted: 20/01/2016 (144KB)
  • Response to Draft Marine Conservation Order for Wester Ross MPA
    This document provides some comments regarding the Scottish Government's Draft Marine Conservation Order for the Wester Ross MPA consultation in July 2015.  Posted: 28/07/2015 (379KB)
  • Response to Scottish Government MPA Management consultation
    Here is our response to the Scottish Government's 2014 Consultation on fisheries management measures for new MPAs in Scotland. The response provides answers to questions in the2014 Consultation Response document relating to the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area. It also includes proposals for a permit system for fisheries within the MPA and for stepwise progression towards a system of management of inshore waters that will achieve nature conservation objectives and fisheries which are more productive and valuable than those of the past 20+ years.  Posted: 28/01/2015 (1.07MB)
  • 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)
  • Wester Ross MPA some possible management scenarios
    A one page discussion document outlining a series of progressive management scenarios for the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area.  Posted: 20/08/2014 (198KB)
  • Wester Ross Marine Wildlife Poster
    This poster shows some of the marine wildlife habitats and marine wildlife to be found around Wester Ross including habitats of nature conservation importance within the possible Wester Ross Marine Protected Area. Copies are available from WRFT.  Posted: 18/07/2014 (1.22MB)
  • Problems for Sea trout in Wester Ross
    This presentation has been tidied up from one given at the sea trout and sea lice management workshop at Aultbea Village hall on 20th February 2014. Data for sea lice and other factors affecting sea trout in Wester Ross are summarised. The presentation concludes with an outline for a Scottish Sea Trout Project aimed at improving our understanding of how different factors affect sea trout in different parts of Scotland.  Posted: 21/02/2014 (6.57MB)
  • SG Marine Protected Area consultation response
    Response submitted on behalf of Wester Ross Fisheries Trust to the Scottish Government's Marine Protected Area Network Consultation in November 2013.  Posted: 21/11/2013 (171KB)
  • WRFT Review of Activities 2009 to 2012
    This review summaries the work of Wester Ross Fisheries Trust during the period 2009 to 2012 in support of the WRFT Fisheries Management Plan 2009+, and sets priorites for future activities.  Posted: 11/12/2012 (2.62MB)
  • 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)
  • Local Community Third party bid for a Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area for Gairloch and Loch Ewe
    Local Community Third party bid for a nature Conservation Marine Protected Area for Gairloch and Loch Ewe, submitted to 30th May 2012; file updated on 1st June with additional letter of support.  Posted: 31/05/2012 (1.21MB)
  • a local community MPA for the Gairloch area?
    Presentation by Peter Cunningham at the meeting in Gairloch Community Hall on 7th May 2012 to consider options for developing a thrid party bid from the local community for a Marine Protected Area for an area around Loch Gairloch.  Posted: 11/05/2012 (10.08MB)
  • Sea trout 197mm Loch Ewe 13 Sept 2010
    Sea trout 197mm and sprats Loch Ewe 13 Sept 2010.  Posted: 14/03/2011 (194KB)
  • 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 FMP 2009+ Summary
    WRFT Fisheries Management Plan 2009+ Summary and Contents page.  Posted: 25/02/2009 (4.06MB)
  • Sea Trout and the Seas Around Wester Ross
    This poster shows how the survival and growth of sea trout may depend upon many factors within the coastal marine environment.  Posted: 24/06/2008 (76KB)