AFT Activities - Loch Fyne

The AFT is undertaking a wide-ranging work programme on a number of river catchments in upper Loch Fyne, including the Kinglas, Fyne, Shira, Aray, Douglas and Leacann, which host some of Argyll's most pressured fish populations;

Fish surveys

Regular electrofishing surveys of all the main catchments in the area have been undertaken to identify trends in wild fish abundance and evaluate restoration initiatives to maximise the recruitment of juvenile fish.

Habitat surveys

A large proportion of the Aray, Etive, Fyne and Kinglas catchments have been surveyed using SFCC protocols. Analysis of the data has generated reports on specific catchments. The findings are used to inform management policy.

Genetic studies

The collection of genetic samples from salmon is currently being undertaken, which will inform managers on the status of the remaining populations, the potential ingress of farmed fish and the progress of restoration efforts.

Adult fish surveys

Snorkel surveys have been undertaken on the Fyne, Aray and Shira catchments where numbers of adult fish are understood to be very low, providing managers with up-to-date information on the status of returning adults. These surveys have also been used to identify and remove escapee farmed salmon and collect potential brood-fish for use in the hatchery support programme. Redd counting surveys have also been undertaken to estimate spawning success of wild fish and inform on the planting sites for hatchery reared fry.

Hatchery support

AFT has assisted with strategic reviews and the development of stocking programmes for salmon in the Fyne, Aray and Kinglas catchments.

Management

Data collected has been used to inform individual riparian and fishery owners and the Loch Fyne District Rivers(LFDRIA) Improvement Association through the development of the Loch Fyne Strategic Restoration Plan for Atlantic Salmon (2006).

Our work in the loch Fyne area is supported by Loch Fyne DRIA, Loch Fyne Marine Trust, Lighthouse Caledonia (Pan Fish Scotland Ltd), Lakeland Smolts Ltd and the Tripartite Working Group.