One of the key aims of the MFTI is to learn more about our local sea trout populations and how they use the marine environment and in particular the Inner Firths. To achieve this, the MFTI is conducting a series of coastal seine netting trials to catch sea trout and collect length data, scales and conduct sea lice counts.
Reading the scales we can learn how old the fish are, when they smolted, how long they have been at sea and if they have spawned before. We can then compare this information with historical collections and analysis conducted by G.H Nall for the Fishery Board for Scotland in 1929. The length of the fish at any given age can provide us with a growth rate and an indication of food availability.
Conducting sea lice counts on all trout caught helps us monitor the presence of this marine parasite in our coastal waters. The MFTIÂ are currently trialling different methods and sites so if you are interested in helping please get in touch (marcus@morayfirthtrout.org).
On Friday 13th June 2014 the MFTI conducted a joint trial with the Ness DSFB and the Ness and Beauly Fisheries Trust at Bunchrew in the Beauly Firth. This is a site we have had some success before and we welcomed along James Robertson as a willing volunteer to help us haul the net in. We completed 5 sweeps at the site catching 2 small sea trout, probably this year’s smolts, and one stickleback.
More information on the work of the MFTI can be found on their webpage at www.morayfirthtrout.org.
Ness DSFB Director Chris Conroy setting the net with Water Bailiff John MacColl (Pic. James Robertson)
Volunteer James Robertson and Chris retrieving the net with the Kessock Bridge in the Background
All eyes eagerly checking the cod end to see if we have caught anything
The catch, from top to bottom: 2 sea trout, counting sea lice, 1 stickleback and taking scales and measuring the trout.
Marcus Walters (Manager MFTI) and team stowing the net ready for the next shot (Pic. James Robertson)
