THE CELTIC SEA TROUT PROGRAMME
Celtic Sea Trout Project, Angler Feedback, January 2011
Introduction
The Celtic Sea Trout Project (CSTP) is a European Union, Interreg IV-funded, Ireland-Wales collaborative project looking into the status, distribution, genetics and ecology of sea trout around the Irish Sea (http://www.celticseatrout.com/about/programme.htm). This note briefly outlines progress in 2010 for the many helpers and participants in angling clubs, river trusts and other organisations. More detailed technical accounts will be available in due course.
Project management
Two fulltime Project Officers were appointed under contract in May 2010: one each in Ireland and Wales, to run the sampling and data handling tasks that support the rest of the CSTP. Contractors were also appointed by August 2010 to undertake certain of the specialist tasks (fisheries analysis, life history analysis ad modelling, and hydrodynamic modeling). Formal launch meetings were held in Wales and in Ireland.
Sampling
The CSTP is totally reliant upon effective field sampling to collect data and material from fish (tissues, gut contents, gonads scales etc) for the scientific analysis. For example, the genetics and microchemistry analysis, that will tell us about the mixing and distribution of stocks, requires a baseline of measurements to be made in all the principal rivers around the Irish Sea which are likely to contribute to sea trout stocks. River sampling of juvenile trout for the genetics was the focus of the CSTP team’s work in 2010 and was 95% completed in full using a large scale electro-fishing programme, taking samples from around 80 rivers. Some preliminary marine sampling was also carried out.
A major part of the sampling programme is the collection of scales for analysis of life histories, and growth rates in sea trout. This is particularly difficult because, apart from fish traps, of which there are only three across the whole CSTP area, the sampling of adults in rivers has to be done by angling. Moreover, scale reading and analysis are labour-intensive and time-consuming which limits the numbers of samples that can be dealt with. Accordingly, we have restricted this part of the programme to 25-30 rivers, selected to cover the Irish Sea and where angling catch has historically been large enough to provide the samples. This part of the sampling programme has required extensive liaison with angler groups and distribution of sampling kits and scale envelopes. Several talks on the CSTP were given during the winters of 2008/9 and 2009/10 to clubs and associations across Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England. We aim to collect scales from at least 300 adult sea trout from each of the selected rivers over the two main years of sampling (angling seasons 2010 and 2011). A feature of the scale sampling programme is the need to collect samples from the full size range of sea trout in these rivers to reflect the overall population structure.
The collection of scale samples in 2010 has not gone as well as the juvenile sampling and the returns to date fall well short of the indicative annual target of 150 fish /river (see Figure 1, which includes a small number of samples taken in 2009). Only the Nith and Border Esk in UK and the Argideen, Castletown and Currane in Ireland reached the target levels and most others achieved less than 20%. This was not due to fish shortage because catches were comparatively high last year. A major effort will be made in 2011 to raise awareness and to promote scale sampling by anglers, which will include a valuable incentive scheme.
Data analysis
Samples taken in last year’s surveys are being processed at the moment. Genetic analysis at the Universities of Cork and Bangor is now in full swing, and a first look at the base line description should be possible in March 2011. Scale data are being coupled with the extensive and catch statistics to describe variation in the complex life histories of sea trout and to develop analytical approaches that will enable the impacts of environmental pressures to be investigated. Other tasks on marine feeding and distribution modeling and fisheries analysis will start in 2011.
Sampling by anglers in 2011
The CSTP needs the continued support of anglers to collect the required scale samples in 2011. Scales from sea trout of all sizes across the full angling season are requested and can be taken easily once you have the basic kit which we provide. CSTP project team members are available to present talks to your club if required. Contact us through the CSTP website www.celticseatrout.com . THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.
If you wish to see the whole document, including graph please click on the link following this note
Clarification by email 16th September 2010
Thank you very much for your two messages. They raise nicely a concern that I know troubles many anglers who are concerned about stocks, but see the value in understanding more about how sea trout populations work so that they can be protected better in the future. It is a dilemma.
I take a pragmatic line on this, recognising that we are dealing with volunteers and very grateful for the angler support. We wouldn’t want anyone to kill fish that they don’t want to and I do agree that trying to take scales off fish under difficult conditions of for example an awkward bank and warm water will increase their risk of dying. I agree that actually killing the fish may be the best option under those or similar circumstances, or if the angler is not confident about taking scales from live fish anyway. I kill sea trout – the very few that I catch (!) on the basis of the arguments below.
As you have clearly pointed out, the numbers of fish killed is in most cases small in relation to the runs and is not in reality a risk to stocks, providing it is short term (e.g. the lifetime of the project). The sacrifice is worth it to gain the knowledge; but that needs to be conveyed more effectively to anglers, some of whom think it is just a bunch of mad boffins indulging themselves. I can assure you that is not the case for the CSTP. Many of the scientists are anglers and are only too aware of the conservation issues.
The alternative is to consider what might happen in the future if we don’t try to do what the CSTP is attempting. We may get declines in sea trout (as we have seen in salmon) and then a situation arises where, because stocks are seriously depleted, killing fish would actually pose a genuine severe risk. We would then be left with little knowledge, few fish and no room for manoeuvre – not a happy situation. At the moment we are in an interim stage with reasonably stable stocks in most cases (this year has actually been quite productive); so now is really the time to do this, not when we are up against problems in the future.
Anyway, that’s how I rationalise it. I’d be happy to convey this through your site and or the sea trout forum (I’ve registered on this and plan to comment on it).
Regards
Nigel
(If you have queries or require clarification, please post your question/concern on the forum and we will get back to you)
Update added 11th September 2010 by Nigel Milner.
“The Celtic Sea Trout Project needs your help!
The CSTP sampling (www.celticseatrout.com) is now in full swing and will continue for a further two years. Fish samples are coming in from many sources; but an important part of the project requires sea trout scales and basic measurements to be collected from selected rivers. This is being done by angler volunteers because angling is the best methods for doing this part of the sampling programme.
In Wales the selected rivers are the Clwyd, Conwy, Dwyfawr, Dyfi, Teifi, Tywi and Tawe.
We are at the end or close to the end of the fishing season, depending on the rivers. BUT where it is still appropriate, this is a call for last minute effort to catch and sample the sea trout. Please help, it will benefit sea trout in the long run.
Any queries please contact:
Carys Davies, carys.davies@bangor.ac.uk, tel: 01248388603, mob: 07717547823
Nigel Milner, n.milner@apemltd.co.uk, mob: 07712038674
Graeme Harris, fishskill@btinternet.com, tel: 0187473117
AND THANK YOU.”
FREE SCALE SAMPLING PACKS NOW AVAILABLE FROM FOXON’S TACKLE SHOP ST ASAPH
In summary the programme involves collection of sea trout samples from 80 rivers (of which 20 have been targeted for the detailed sampling for which we are seeking help here), estuaries, coastal waters and further offshore, over three years. The samples will be mostly removed scales accompanied by accurate size information; but whole fish may also be taken to examine feeding and other aspects of biology.
Please click the links below to view the papers that were handed out today (11th March 2010) at the launch of the Celtic Sea Trout Project
Handout:
THE CELTIC SEA TROUT PROJECT: AN OUTLINE
Take part in the Celtic Sea Trout Initiative by clicking the button below:
THE FEDERATION OF CLWYD ANGLING CLUBS
River Clwyd Season Extension Trial
The River Clwyd & Elwy systems have been classed as ‘at risk’ due to dwindling Salmon catches in recent years. This classification was based upon EA migratory license catch return information gathered during the normal Salmon season of 20March to 17th October. Many anglers who fish the Rivers Clwyd & Elwy feel that the season ends too soon and due to many environmental factors, the Salmon are running later and later meaning the catch returns are not providing an accurate account of the Salmon stocks situation.
The Federation of Clwyd Angling Clubs put together a proposal to temporarily extend the season to the end of October. After a series of negotiations we were delighted to achieve a partnership agreement with the Environment Agency to establish whether or not there is a healthy run of Salmon after the normal season ends on the 17th of October.
Take part in the extension by clicking the button below:
THE CONWY VALLEY FISHERIES & CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
Environmental damage by ‘adventure activity’ on rivers
This Association exists to look after the interests of the Conwy valley fisheries generally, but has recently come to prominence for its work in attempting to come to reasonable and sensible agreements with the formal canoeing organisations and their representatives. The Association is determined to protect the spawning areas, redds, of the migratory fish species from irreparable damage by canoeists and gorge walkers who frighten potentially spawning fish from the redds and disturb the gravel and therefore eggs they contain in areas where fish have managed to spawn. The redds must be protected and left undisturbed during the spawning and hatching seasons. These are the details of this worthy campaign which we are happy to support and promote. Follow the link to keep up to date with their campaign and to sign up to confirm your support. Your support and encouragement will be greatly appreciated.
The Association is not for one moment suggesting that canoeists and others who enjoy the pleasures of our beautiful waterways are wilfully causing serious environmental damage, the damage they do is most probably because they are totally unaware of the environmental sensitivity of areas were they go to enjoy themselves. We would ask all who enjoy our rivers to follow this link to learn how to avoid environmental damage on our rivers. Thank you
Click below to visit the CVF&CA Webspace:
THE GOLDEN MILE
One initiative that would potentially be a boon to anglers and the Welsh economy
Follow this link to find a comprehensive explanation of this initiative. This seems to be a “everybody wins” idea, which the Welsh Assembly Government would do well to consider adopting. It woulds have potentially amazing benefits for recreational sea anglers as well as offering protection to returning migratory species and areas such as bass nurseries.
Well worth a read!