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Download Annual Report, January 2013 - Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust
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Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust Newsletter December 2012 ǮDeveloping understanding and gathering the evidence required to conserve and enhance naturally self-‐sustaining populations of native fish and promote effective management of sustainable Ǥǯ LOCH LOMOND FISHERIES TRUST (LLFT) is an environmental charity formed in 2001 to cam-‐ paign for the conservation and restoration of native fish populations in the Loch Lomond, River Leven and Lower Clyde catchment area and the freshwater habitats on which these populations depend. Our management area and main rivers: Falloch Endrick Water is our principle catchment area which was designated as a Ǯ Ǧ ǯȋȌ͜͜͞͡Ǥ Luss Water Fruin Water River Leven Blane Water Chairmans Welcome 2012 has been a particularly positive year for the Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust (LLFT). We are now constituted as a company limited by guarantee with two members of the company; Lo-‐ mond Fisheries Riparian Owners Group (LFROG) and the Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Asso-‐ ciation (LLAIA). The board of directors represent both interested parties plus additional independent directors and the Trust is now looking to recruit more independent directors. Recent changes in the management of the LLAIA have meant that the LLFT and the LLAIA are work-‐ ing in close collaboration to enhance the quality of our rivers around the Loch Lomond catchment. The kind donation to the Trust of a vehicle by the LLAIA in 2012 which is gratefully acknowledged by LLFT and the board of directors. A priority for 2013 is to review our current Fisheries Management Plan. Our new plan will move this programme of work forward and address a number of important issues including invasive species and biosecurity. The future of the Trust is looking bright with an increasing number of volunteers from different back-‐ grounds and the enthusiasm that they bring. Their help supporting our biologist has made all the dif-‐ ference in completing a very full seasons fieldwork this year. It is particularly important to acknowl-‐ edge the continued support we receive from Cameron House and all our supporters and funders with-‐ out whom it would not be possible for us to continue this important work. We look forward to an-‐ other successful year in 2013 and hope for some sunny weather to go with it ! Salmon and Sea Trout research Endrick Water Smolt Trapping Genetics work LLFT monitors salmon and trout populations in the Endrick Water using a rotary screw trap (pictured) to trap smolts during their migration in spring. Smolts are juvenile fish which are migrat-‐ ing to the sea and are characterised by their silvery colour. As they have survived for 1 Ȃ 3 years in the river before migrating smolts are the best life stage to assess juvenile productivity within a river. Smolt capture rates in 2012 were the highest in the 5 years of operation with sea trout especially healthy. LLFT has been involved in a Scotland wide pro-‐ ject to map the genetics of Salmon populations. Within the Loch Lo-‐ mond catchment we set out to identify if the salmon populations within different rivers were genetically differ-‐ ent. Sites were moni-‐ tored on all the major river systems including the Fruin, Blane, Falloch, Endrick and Leven. Jim Freeman (Trustee) collecting smolts The outcomes have confirmed that there geneti-‐ cally separate breeding populations in each river system all of which are adapted to survive in these specific areas. Carrying Capacity - Endrick Water SAC The carrying capacity of a river is the number of fish that can be naturally supported by its environment. Because different life stages such as fry have different habitat requirements from other life stages such as parr, the type of habitat present in the river acts to limit (or put a ceiling level on) the numbers of fish that can be supported. An ambitious project jointly funded by SNH and LLAIA is currently un-‐ derway to determine what this carrying capacity is for salmon and try to answer vitally important questions such as :-‐ Dzoptimum level of production that could be achieved naturally from the available habi-‐ tat ǫdz LLFT has conducted detailed habitat surveys over a total of 20 km of Habitat Grades for Endrick Water : Grade 1 is the best nursery habitat type and Grade 4 is the worst main stem covering the middle and upper Endrick from the Loup of Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Fintry (the upstream accessible limit for migratory salmonids) down-‐ stream to the Craigbell weir at Gartness. This is a total wetted area of 16% available habitat of about 250,000 sq.m Ȃ of which a little over half (55%) is suitable habitat for juveniles (fry and parr). The important 45% thing is how much good quality nursery habitat is present for produc-‐ 17% tion of juvenile salmon. 33% of all available habitat is excellent or good nursery habitat (grade 1 or 2). This has allowed us to estimate the number of eggs (and therefore pairs of spawning of fish) that are 22% required to fully utilise this habitat to capacity. Biosecurity Invasive Non-‐Native Plant Species This year a new project has started to combat the growing issue of invasive plant species (INNS) within the Endrick and Blane catchments. The River Endrick was designated as a Ǯ ǯ ȋȌ ͜͜͞͡ Special Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a National Nature Reserve (NNR). This is a joint project with the Scottish Natural Heritage which aims to survey, monitor and control non-‐native invasive plant species along the river banks. With help from local volunteers LLFT staff completed walk over surveys of the lower Endrick and the Blane. These focused on 3 main species; Japanese Knot-‐ weed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed. Giant Hogweed In spring 2013 we will be starting work on eradication and control of INNS in some of the worst affected locations. LLFT will require further help from vol-‐ unteers to help survey and control the INNS plants next year. If you are inter-‐ ested in this project and want to learn more about the development of the INNS surveys or would like to get involved in volunteer events, then please do contact the LLFT office for further information. Japanese Knotweed Ruffe justice for Powan ! Loch Lomond is home to the nationally rare species Powan (Coregonus lavaretus). Powan is a native fish which is only found naturally in two Scottish lochs, Loch Lomond and Loch Eck. It is a highly protected species whose numbers have been in serious decline in Loch Lomond Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus) is a close relative of the Perch which was first discovered in Loch Lomond in 1982. Ruffe is an invasive non native species and its discovery here extended its known habitat range a further 250km north from what had previously been recorded. The reasons for the decline of powan are closely related to the introduction of ruffe. The main prob-‐ lem relates to the predation of powan ova (eggs) by adult ruffe. As the ruffe population grew rapidly following introduction, this additional predation pressure had a catastrophic effect. Unlike the native fish whose predation rates are reduced by the cold winter temperatures, ruffe continue to forage at the same rate during winter when powan are spawning. This is seriously impacting the population in Loch Lomond but in Loch Eck (where there are no ruffe) powan are very abundant. As a result of the threat to the native Powan population Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust set up Dzdz Ǥ ENCOUNTERS WITH ALIENS by Ann White I recently took part in a survey of invasive plant species along the banks of the Endrick Water. A small group met in Drymen on Sunday morning and after the preliminary paperwork we set off for Killearn and the bridge at the bottom of Drumtian Road. Dividing into two groups, with a packet of chocolate biscuits per group, we walked downstream to Killearn Bridge, looking out for Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed. We charted the percentage cover of these species every 250m using a GPS to get accurate positions. It was a beautiful, sunny, autumn morning and we Himalayan Balsam paused to look at a dipper perched on a stone in the river, its white front catching the sun as it bobbed up and down. Further on we entered dense, pathless woodland where we clambered up steep banks, picking our way over dead branches and across small burns, clipboard in hand and pencil between teeth. Then out again into open fields: I was glad I had my wellies on as the going was pretty wet and muddy. Eventually Killearn Bridge came into sight and the end of our first section of river. Getting up to the bridge was quite exciting, scrambling up a steep bank and over a ǯǤ the bridge and after exchanging stories of our morning we found a pleasant picnic spot with views across to Conic Hill. We had found quite a lot of Himalayan Bal-‐ sam and one small patch of knotweed on that section. Suitably refreshed we walked back across the fields to the car and then drove to Drymen Bridge to complete another section of river in the afternoon. Getting to the river here was a bit of an adventure as after climbing down from the bridge we encountered an electric fence Ȃ and yes, it was turned on! So it was back on to the bridge again and up the road for a more civilised approach to river, which at this point borders the golf course. We were amazed at the extent of the Giant Hogweed, a very strange and magnificent plant, that we found between the golf course and the river Ȃ huge stands of it, tower-‐ ing high above our heads. We followed the meanders in the river up to the footbridge near Croftamie. This was mainly fairly easy going with a short section of more difficult woodland and a few fences and gullies to negotiate towards the end. Sitting under the bridge we fortified ourselves with chocolate biscuits before walking back to Drymen Bridge on the opposite side of the river. I really enjoy volunteering for conservation projects. It is a great way to get outside and get some exercise with the added bo-‐ nus of doing something useful at the same time. I have learned a great deal over the years and have explored many nooks and crannies of my local area that I would never have known about otherwise. It gives an interest-‐ ing perspective on the area, too, finding out about all the work that is going on as well as meeting lots of interesting people. Electro -‐ fishing One of the wettest summers on record greatly affected the electro-‐fishing effort this year. Very heavy rainfall at the beginning of the summer and unseasonably high river levels made it un-‐ safe and ineffective for LLFT to conduct fish population surveys. Eventually, some let up in the rain made it possible for the Trust to com-‐ plete the programme of fieldwork. But this would not have been possible without assistance from some highly enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who helped us to get a heavy workload completed through working long hours late into the season. Special thanks are due to the core team -‐ Jim Freeman (LLFT director), Keith Adams (LLFT director), Jim Muir (LLFT director), Alan Muir, Gus Wylie and Andy McElwee. Also to Alec McElwee, Gordon McKenzie, Hughey Russell, Jim Campbell and Robert Haining for assisting with the smolt trapping. Dz dz Ȃ Keith Adams (Snr)(LLFT/ LLAIA) DzȂ a fun bunch of guys who are all so dedicated to fisher-‐ dzǤ Ȃ Dr Andy Burrows (LLFT Senior Biologist/Trust Manager) Auchengaich Burn Restoration This important tributary of the Fruin is subject to severe habitat loss as a result of dewatering during summer, due to an upstream dam. No compensation flow is provided when reservoir levels are too low for the dam to be spilling and natural seepage is insufficient to maintain flows downstream. This causes the lower part of the burn to completely dry up for a distance of 0.5 km upstream of the confluence with the Fruin. This dry period can extend from as early as May in dry years through to Sep-‐ tember. This watercourse consists of high quality spawning and nursery habitat. Electro-‐fishing has shown that juvenile salmon and trout are abundant in this burn and that significant Dzdz the dry zone in summer for prolonged periods. LLFT is working closely with the LLAIA, Luss Estates and Scottish Water to put together a res-‐ toration plan which will increase flows to com-‐ Ǯ ǯǤ reduce habitat loss and increase the survival rates of juvenile fish. Hydro-‐scheme Developments With current government targets aimed at in-‐ creasing the amount of renewable energy pro-‐ duced by 2020 to 20% there is a high level of in-‐ terest in renewable technologies. This has shown itself in the increasing amount of small-‐ Ǯ -‐of-‐ǯ throughout Scotland. There have been a number of these develop-‐ ments within the Loch Lomond catchment in recent years and more are planned. These schemes have the potential to adversely impact both fish populations and the aquatic environ-‐ ment in a number of different ways which is why rigorous Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are required. The Trust carries out studies to provide the sci-‐ entific data needed as part of EIAs and has con-‐ ducted surveys for Luss Estates, Montrose Es-‐ tates and Glen Falloch Estates in recent years as well as individual land owners. In 2012 LLFT un-‐ dertook a detailed fish and aquatic impact as-‐ sessment on behalf of Cashel Native Forest Cen-‐ tre. This involved electro-‐fishing surveys to iden-‐ tify what fish species were present and habitat surveys and macro-‐invertebrate surveys to assess the health of the river from its source to Loch Lomond. Luss Water Salmonid population baseline survey 2012 This year has seen a major push to establish the status of salmon and sea trout populations in the Luss Water. The Luss Water was once a truly prolific sea trout river but for a number of years there have been widespread concerns regarding the health of the salmonid populations. There is considerable interest in a project to restore the Luss Water to its former status but any such ef-‐ fort needs to be sup-‐ ported by scientific data. We are grateful to Luss Estates for funding a full electro-‐fishing survey of the Luss catchment this year. Surveys were car-‐ ried out from the head-‐ waters to where the main river enters Loch Lomond and in all the main tributaries. The map below shows the survey site locations. This sur-‐ vey revealed that numbers of juvenile fish are much lower than they should be. Salmon are more restricted in their range than trout, being mainly present in the lower river. However, some small tributary burns do hold significant num-‐ bers of juvenile sea trout indicating that these areas are vitally important. Powan in the Classroom -‐ saving rare fish with the help of local children Over the last 2 years children from local schools have been taking part Dz dz Ǥ over 200 children to the Powan, one of the rarest fish in the UK. The project gives children the chance to rear locally sourced Powan eggs in specially adapted classroom hatcheries. Many participating schools have received eco-‐flag status as a result of the project and its success has encouraged more schools to take part. Powan in the classroom has attracted considerable media coverage in both the national and local press and has even been featured on BBC Radio Scotland. In 2011 Luss primary was a winner in the National Green School Award sponsored by TOTAL for Dz dz Dz Ǧ dzǤ This project offers kids the unique opportunity to learn about the special nature of their local environment, the threats it faces and to make a direct hands-‐on contribution towards a real conserva-‐ tion programme. If your school or community group would like to be involved in this project in the future, please do not hesitate to contact the LLFT. What the schools said about it..... DzǡǦ dz Dz ǨǨǨdz Dz experience for the whole dz Dz had become part of saving an endangered dz DzǤ dz Powan and Trout Releases After caring for and rearing the powan juveniles in class-‐ room hatcheries every year we make an event out of the release day, when fish are returned to their native loch. In 2011, Strone and Strachur primary schools released powan fry in to Loch Eck and in 2012 Luss primary released trout fry into a tributary of the Luss Water. Recent Events Wild Park A wildlife event at David Marshall Lodge, Aberfoyle featured a live wildlife display consisting of newly hatched trout fry and a Dz dzǤ Some children who had taken part in the project used their newly developed skills as scientists to help the senior biologist collect important smolt data from the trap on the Endrick Water. The event very well supported and was a great success LLFT Open Day In October 2011 the first LLFT open day was hosted by Sir Archie Edmonstone at Duntreath Castle. This was a great success with a wide variety of activities ranging from fly tying to face painting. Guests were also given the chance to see a demonstration of electro-‐fishing on the river Blane and had the opportunity to use a re-‐ motely operated underwater camera (ROV) The day closed with a raffle draw with many excellent prizes kindly donated by a range of sponsors including Glengoyne Distillery, Orvis, Glasgow Angling Centre and LLAIA. Photographs provided by Elaine Graham (elainegraham-‐photography.co.uk) Become a Friend / make a donation Join us now and support our work Your details: Name................................................................................................................................................................... Address............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................... Postcode.......................................................................... Email address..................................................................................................................................................... Contact tel. no................................................................................................................................................... Unfortunately we are only able to accept donations via cheque. Please make these payable to Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust Amount £ ....................................... Gift Aid declaration If you pay income tax, GIFT AID is a scheme which allows us to reclaim basic rate tax on your gift from the inland revenue. This increases the value of your gift to the Trust. By completing this section you will allow LLFT to claim gift aid on your donation. Signature Date To apply for friendship or make a donation please complete this form and send to: LLFT SCENE ROWARDENNAN GLASGOWG63 0AW If you would like to hear about future events and volunteering opportunities please tick here A Special Thanks The special thanks from the LLFT goes out to all the land and riparian owners throughout our management area, who have allowed us to access their land in order to complete essential survey work. As well as this we would like to thank the members of the LLAIA and volunteers; without your help and never ending enthusiasm it would not have been possible to complete this work. Furthermore, are appreciation extends to all our sponsors which includes Cameron House, Grif-‐ fon Studios, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park and Luss Estates. The most important thank you and one which should not be excluded goes to our 2 dedicated and hardworking volun-‐ teers Jessica Breedon and Harriet Robinson. Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust SCENE Rowardennan Glasgow G63 0AW Email: [email protected] Tel: 01360 870 515 Our board of trustees: Chairman -‐ James Lumsden Vice Chairman -‐ Eddie Edmonstone Members -‐ James Freeman James Muir Keith Adams Robin Willis Sid Garth Senior Biologist/Trust ManagerȄDr Andy Burrows
