Kyle News. Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fisheries Board Issue No: 5 Kyle of Sutherland Fishery Trust Spring Chairman of the Kyle Board

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1 Kyle News Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fisheries Board Issue No: 5 Kyle of Sutherland Fishery Trust Spring 2013 Welcome to the fifth edition of the Kyle News combining the interests of the Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fisheries Board and the Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust. The joint newsletter helps to reinforce the message that the organisations working in fishery management within the Kyle District are operating with the same purpose to achieve common objectives. Chairman of the Kyle Board It is not often that you hear fishermen complaining about too much water but 2012 was a special case! With a number of rivers across Scotland reporting flood conditions for a large part of the season the Kyle was more fortunate than others not to lose valuable fishing time. Overall fish numbers were in line with average annual catches with reports of some large MSW salmon in June and a huge 38 pounder from the Shin in August, once again confirming the myth that women catch bigger fish than men! Hopefully all the water will have created ideal conditions for spawning with fish reaching the upper parts of all river systems in good fettle. Outside of angling catches the big success in 2012 was completing the purchase of the Netting Station at Bonar Bridge and the angling rights on the Kyle from Corriemulzie estate. Both of these assets were deemed to be of vital long term strategic importance to securing the reputation of our region as a world class fishing destination, the many local jobs that our fishery supports and securing the rights for our local Angling Association. The sheer financial size of this investment means that the Board has 2 years to complete payment for it. We have set up a fundraising arm within the Board and a number of proprietors, tenants and supporters have already given generously. It still remains a long term objective of the Board to buy in remaining netting rights as and when they become available in our region. The bailiffing effort was rewarded with 5 illegal sets of nets in our catchment during the year and as we move into 2013 the bailiff team will be deploying new technology, including CCTV, in vulnerable areas to assist with monitoring and preventing unlawful activity. Running the Hatchery at Ardgay and assisting with the trapping, tagging and trucking of smolts on the upper reaches of the Shin remain key activities in addition to patrolling the Kyle and all rivers systems. The Board spent some time reviewing the current Conservation rules that apply to all Kyle Rivers that were introduced 3 years ago. In general it was felt that the introduction of 100% catch and release for MSW salmon had achieved a positive impact and was in line with the majority of other well managed salmon fisheries. It was noted that 85% of all fish caught on the Kyle Rivers and the Angling Association water were now released and that no further recommendations from the Board were required this is a record to be proud of. Given the fragile nature of the Shin stocks and the on-going work to address the negative impact on smolt migration caused by the Shin Hydro scheme the Shin proprietors have agreed to a 3 year voluntary 100% C&R programme from In July 2012 I visited the Migdale Fish Farming operation on Loch Shin with a view to discussing how all parties can work more closely to resolve the issues around non-indigenous fish escapees. I was impressed by the professional management and good operating procedures on site but the fact remains that we are catching upwards of 500 fish per annum of farmed Norwegian origin in the Rotary Screw traps on the tributaries that flow into Loch Shin this is likely to be a small percentage of the overall number of escapes. The Board s interest remains in solving this issue as it poses a direct threat to the River Shin wild fish population and I hope that the Board can engage with the Fish Farming interests on Loch Shin to improve the current environmental impact of their operations. During 2012 we have had representation from SEPA and Marine Scotland at all of our Board meetings. This has proved invaluable in moving on some of the longer term issues relating to Glen Beag on the Carron and fish migration and non-indigenous escapes on the Shin. Developing the Board s relationship with these and other key organisations was an objective for 2012 and we look forward to even stronger ties in Robbie Douglas Miller The Trust seeks to protect, conserve, improve and enhance all native fish species and their habitats, to advance education, training and research initiatives and to provide a communications resource to all interested parties.

2 Moray Firth Trout Initiative wins Heritage Lottery Support The Moray Firth Trout Initiative (MFTI) has received a grant of 56,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The MFTI is an exciting new project that aims to protect the future of Moray Firth Trout populations and the communities that depend on them through education and conservation. The project will be administered by the Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust. The trout is a key part of Scotland s natural heritage and is a very valuable species to the communities around the Moray Firth. However, numbers are declining fast and the Moray Firth Trout Initiative (MFTI) is a partnership project that will work with local Fisheries Trusts, District Salmon Fishery Boards and Community Angling Associations to protect this species through environmental education and the conservation of trout populations and habitat. Brown trout and sea trout are both the same species, Salmo trutta, and are highly adaptable, found from highland hill lochs down through major rivers and streams to coastal estuaries and out to sea. However their broad distribution and diverse life history exposes them to extensive threats from changing land use practices in their freshwater habitat to environmental changes and declining food supplies at sea. Although, sea trout catches are known to be falling in many regions in Scotland, very little is known about how our brown trout populations are faring. This is particularly prevalent in the Moray Firth where there has been a 42% decline in the average sea trout rod and line catch over the last 10 years. In 2011 the Moray Firth Rod and line catch of sea trout was the second lowest year on record ( ) 1. This worrying trend is threatening local Angling Associations and Clubs that have traditionally relied on sea trout fishing to attract members and visiting anglers. The MFTI will work with the local Fisheries Trust network to provide both school aged children (primary and secondary) and adults with a better understanding of freshwater ecology and a sense of ownership of their local environment through education and practical involvement in conservation. The MFTI will deliver 15 school visits per year and a series of educational talks and walks on the biology of trout and the threats they face in local rivers and burns. Furthermore the MFTI will offer local volunteers the opportunity to get involved in the practical conservation and management of their local rivers and trout populations. There will be opportunities to conduct habitat surveys, collect trout scales, survey coastal and upland hill Lochs while also helping to restore degraded local rivers and burns. This work will help inform local fisheries management and will protect our local freshwater ecosystems helping to ensure healthy and productive trout populations for future generations. If you are interested in volunteering or helping in anyway contact: Marcus Walters, MFTI Project Manager on or walters.mfstp@googl .com Pictured are: (left to right) Marcus Walters, MFTI Project Manager Robert Laughton, Director, Findhorn Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trust. Dr Keith Williams, Biologist, Ness and Beauly Fisheries Trust. Simon McKelvey, Director, Cromarty Firth Fisheries Trust. Lynn Brydon, Dingwall Environment Group Richard Miller, Biologist, Deveron Bogie and Isla Rivers Trust. Professor Eric Verspoor, Rivers and Lochs Institute,

3 Pearls in Peril Some of the most important populations of a species that s started a war and adorned the head of the state live in the Kyle of Sutherland. It might be surprising to think that is part of the history of a humble shellfish, but the freshwater pearl mussel has a rich and varied history. Suetonius, one of Julius Caesar s biographers, describes one of the reasons for the Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC being a desire to get access to the lucrative trade in freshwater pearls. And it is the pearls from the freshwater pearl mussel, reputedly taken from a river in Aberdeenshire, that adorn the Scottish crown jewels. However, despite this rich history extending back through the centuries, it is threatened and we need to protect it. To help in the species conservation a project has just started that aims to restore many of the most important remaining freshwater pearl mussel populations in Great Britain, including two in the Kyle of Sutherland. The project, Pearls in Peril, will address many of the threats facing the pearl mussel over the next 4 years. The project is a partnership between the rivers and fisheries trusts in Scotland (RAFTS which includes the Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust), Scottish Natural Heritage, Forest Enterprise, SEPA, the EC LIFE+ fund and others. One of the threats facing the pearl mussel, which unfortunately affects some of our local rivers, is persecution by pearl fishers. The freshwater pearl mussel became fully protected from disturbance and killing in 1998 but sadly, despite being illegal, it continues to this day. The project will set up initiatives to raise awareness of criminal activity that can damage pearl mussels. This includes not just pearl fishing but also unauthorised river engineering. This is something that anyone can help with and, please, if you see anyone acting suspiciously in a local Highland river (e.g. with a glass bottomed bucket, removing shells) contact the police. The project will also work to reduce pollution that can badly damage freshwater pearl mussels. Drains will be blocked and other sources of pollution will be identified and, in discussion with any relevant farmers and crofters, we will meet to discuss and agree any measures that could be taken to improve the situation. Work is also planned by the fishery trust and Forest Enterprise to fell a key area of unsuitable, mature plantation woodland that is damaging the local river. We will also create native, riparian woodland that will improve the river habitat for freshwater pearl mussels. The Pearls in Peril project will also improve our awareness of freshwater pearl mussel by running a programme called pearls in the classroom. This will allow school children to find out much more about this species living in their local rivers. It is also important to bear in mind that the freshwater pearl mussel has an incredibly close relationship with salmon and trout. The freshwater pearl mussel cannot survive its first year without salmon or trout, as for that time it can only live on the fishes gills. This is quite harmless to the fish but without the fish the pearl mussel cannot survive. Therefore it s quite reasonable to say that what s good for the pearl mussel will be good for our local salmon and trout populations. Despite a lot of interest in the species, it is still a relative unknown to many. The freshwater pearl mussel is a large bivalve mollusc which lives in the riverbeds of clean, fast flowing cool rivers. It can grow extremely large, to almost the size of your hand, and live for more than 100 years in our rivers. In Scotland we estimate there are around 72 populations left in our rivers which show evidence of successfully breeding and recruiting juveniles so that they can sustain themselves. So, not many. But two of them are the Rivers Oykel and Evelix where the above activities will take place. In the end we will judge our project to be a success if we improve the fortunes of the local rivers freshwater pearl mussel populations, ensuring that its long cultural history continues and includes the species surviving in many of our rivers. Iain Sime Freshwater & Wetlands Group Scottish Natural Heritage

4 Kyle Sea Trout Shun the Trend! Marcus Walters, Moray Firth Sea Trout Project Figure 1; Moray and Kyle District Sea Trout Rod and Line Catch Moray Firth in blue (left axis), Kyle in Red (right axis). This catch data is protected by Crown copyright, used with the permission of Marine Scotland Science (MSS), Aberdeen. MSS is not responsible for interpretation of these data by third parties. Figure 2; Lower Oykel sea trout Rod and Line catch Data kindly provided by Lower Oykel Fishings. The Moray Firth Rod and line catch has been declining over the last 15 years, falling to a record low in 2008 and following a slight improvement in 2010 falling back to the second lowest catch on record in 2011 (Figure 1). This downward trend is mirrored in all Moray Firth Rivers apart from the Kyle of Sutherland District. The Kyle Sea trout rod and line catch is the only District in the Moray Firth to show an improvement over the last 10 years (Figure 1). Historically rod and line catches have been relatively low, building from less than 150 in 1952 to over 700 in the 1950s before gradually dropping away to record lows in the mid 1970s. The catches then remained relatively stable apart from one excellent year in 1993 before gradually increasing through the 1990s and 2000s. The average long term catch per year from was only 292 sea trout per year but this has increased by 52% to an average of 556 per year from With 669 sea trout the Kyle was second only to the Spey for total rod and line catch in Since its first inception in 1994 catch and release of sea trout in the Kyle District has gradually increased from 1 fish the first year to 71% of sea trout in 2009, 62% in 2010 and 64% in We are also fortunate to have access to the Lower Oykel catch records and although this beat only reflects a fraction of the total Kyle catch it interestingly shows a very similar pattern to the Kyle rod and line catch (Figure 2). The graph clearly shows that annual catch records quite closely follow the pattern of the entire Kyle District dropping through s before building again over the last 10 years. This would suggest that whatever is driving the variation in catches on the District scale is also happening on the smaller tributary or beat level too. The Lower Oykel had a fall in sea trout catch in 2012 but the Kyle District figures will not be available until autumn The catch return data collected by the Scottish government via Marine Scotland (previously Fisheries Research Services) is essential data in monitoring our sea trout catches and stocks. This is the only consistent and long time series set of sea trout data available Catch rates can vary greatly with fishing effort, run timing, environmental conditions and can often be inaccurate due to misreporting of catch figures. As a result the specific value for a given year or month may be inaccurate but given the time scale and size of this catch data set the overall trends are likely to reflect and the underlying trends in sea trout abundance within the rivers. This catch data is protected by Crown copyright, used with the permission of Marine Scotland Science (MSS), Aberdeen. MSS is not responsible for interpretation of these data by third parties.

5 Kyle and Oykel Sea Trout Scale Collection Report Marcus Walters (Moray Firth Sea Trout Project) & Dr Andy Walker 2011 Scale Collection Over the last 3 fishing seasons (2008, 2009 & 2010) the MFSTP has recruited volunteer anglers and ghillies to collect scales from sea trout in the Moray Firth area. Volunteers were supplied with a detailed protocol explaining how to take scales from the flank between the trailing edge of the dorsal fin and the lateral line (See diagram), by scraping with the point of a knife or with forceps. Scales are stored in a scale collection envelopes which also records details of date, location and method of capture, body length (mm) from tip of nose to fork of tail, weight (g), sex and any other supplementary information. Scales are deposited inside by gentle finger pressure upon the outsides of the packets as the knife or forceps is withdrawn and then left to air dry. Scale Reading Method Using low-power microscopy, the dry scales Collect Scales Here with complete centres are pressed between two thin celluloid strips. This creates a finger print impression of the scales in the celluloid from the circular growth ridges (cerculi) and the image of the permanent impression can then be projected onto a scale reading screen. From the pattern of cerculi key aspects of sea trout life history can be determined; age at smolt migration, age at first spawning, overall age, number of SMs and growth performance, especially at sea. Each of these biological aspects may vary from stock to stock and may change over time. As reading sea trout scales is complex and requires a lot of experience the MFSTP used Dr Andy Walker to read the scale collections. Results were validated by repeated blind readings and repeated readings by independent scale reading experts. Due to the complex movements of sea trout to and from the sea, especially at the finnock (0+ sea winters) stage average growth patterns may only become clearer by reading scales from many fish, requiring large samples to be made available. The River Kyle Scales The MFSTP has collected 73 sets of scales from Kyle of Sutherland Angling Association (KOSAA) volunteers fishing in their tidal waters of the lower Kyle ( ). The MFSTP has also received 29 sets of scales from the Ghillies George Ross and Steven Mackenzie on the Lower Oykel beat (2008 & 2010). As both these collections have been made in distinct locations they will be considered as distinct sample sets but compared in Figures 1-7. Figure 1, KOSAA & Oykel sea trout length frequency distribution. The KOSAA sample is from a very evenly distributed sample of fish averaging 37.6cm long. The Oykel sample averaged 40.6cm but the sample is skewed as the beat does not record fish under 1lb. Figure 2, KOSAA & Oykel sea trout smolt age. The majority of the KOSSA sample smolted at 2 years old (65.7%) while the majority of the Oykel sample smolted at 3 years old (70.4%).

6 Kyle and Oykel Sea Trout Scale Collection Report Marcus Walters & Dr Andy Walker 2011 cont Figure 3, KOSAA & Oykel sea trout sea age. The majority of both the KOSAA (74.6%) and Oykel (79.2%) samples had been at sea for 1 year before returning to the river where they were caught. Figure 4, KOSAA & Oykel sea trout spawning marks. The majority of the sea trout in both The KOSAA (90%) and Oykel (85.7%) samples had not spawned before. Figure 5, KOSAA & Oykel sea trout maiden sea age. The majority of trout in the KOSAA (70%) and Oykel (82.1%) samples have spent one year at sea after smolting and are returning to the river as maiden fish having not spawned before. Figure 6, KOSAA & Oykel sea trout total age. The majority of the KOSAA collection (60.3%) had a total age of 3 years. The majority having smolted at 2 (Fig 2), and been at sea for 1 year (Fig 3). The majority (81.8%) of the Oykel collection are 3 or 4 years old having typically smolted at 2 or 3 years old and then been at sea for 1 or 2 years. Figure 7, KOSAA and Oykel average length at sea age. The average length of sea trout at sea age is a good a measure of the growth rate and an indicator of food availability at sea. Both collections show very similar lengths at sea age. Samples of trout with a sea greater of greater than 1 are very limited.

7 Gillies Eye View Braelangwell, River Carron Braelangwell s season got underway on the 9 th of March with two Salmon, the best weighing 16lb. Two more salmon were lost. The water temp was 44f and the river had risen to 2ft 9 overnight. This was a slow start considering that the first time the water temperature had broken the 38f mark which enables Salmon to reach us at Braelangwell was on the 11 th of February. Admittedly the beat had not been fished hard up to this point. For most of the next three weeks we had little or no rain culminating in some of the hottest March days ever recorded in Scotland. Fortunately the abnormally hot weather did not last. On Sunday the 1st of April we had rain then snow taking the river to 9 inches on the gauge. Our first tenant staying in the lodge hit it right returning a fresh Salmon of 9lb from the Morail pool in a blizzard. The team went on to catch 9 for the week. The following week the sun came back out and on the 9 th of April Ian McDonald caught two salmon above the Morail falls. This is relatively early for Braelangwell because usually we would only start catching Salmon on the top beat nearer the end of the month. Interestingly there wasn t another Salmon taken from the top beat until the 4 th of May. Braelangwell went on to catch 23 Salmon for April and 31 for May giving us a total of 56 spring fish. The rest of the season was quite steady but could be very frustrating at times. On days the river was in perfect order not much happened then, when for whatever reason the conditions were not so good, we would pick up fish. The parties that fished hard and put in the hours reaped the rewards. Notably there were a good number of fish taken late in the day and I would see cars arriving back at the lodge with the anglers then rushing in five minutes before dinner. Seven visiting anglers caught their first fish at Braelangwell, all were returned bar one which could not be revived. Well worth a mention was 7 year old Harry Wingfield-Digby. His father took him off to The Craigs with a trout rod for lessons where I was to catch them up. On arriving I saw Harry at the head of the Lower Craigs with a big bend in his rod. His father was doing a good job of keeping Harry right and maybe ten minutes later I netted a 9lb Salmon which Harry was delighted to see returned. I then found out that Harry caught the Salmon all on his own while his Father was fishing Upper Craigs and had played it completely unaided We have a visiting angler from Kuwait, Tariq Al Sayer who on seeing salmon showing in an unnamed run above the Washerwoman went for a look and caught two, the best around 18lb. This run is now called Tariq s. Braelangwell s total was 224 Salmon and Grilse. There were only 8 taken for the table plus a further six had to be killed. If it were not for these 6 fish we would have had a 96.5% return. We also caught 56 Sea-trout. All of these were returned. Dear Editor, Croick Finlay McCulloch On a recent family trip to the most beautiful Croick Estate in the northern Highlands of Scotland, our son Jamie (aged 8) caught his first salmon (a 5lb grilse), which was netted by his brother Archie (aged 12) in Archie s trout net. See picture attached. This happened on the first day of our holiday on the estate the boys had spent their journey up to the estate discussing fishing kit as Archie s Godmother had kitted him out for his birthday. Our host, James Hall, generously realised that a trip to the river was the only thing on their minds when they arrived. James set them up and went on down the river with some other rods. On returning to check the two boys were OK, James heard a tremendous commotion. Convinced that they had fallen in or hooked each other I ran back towards the boys in some alarm. I then heard someone shout I ve landed it and relaxed assuming they had caught a small trout or parr. Imagine my surprise/delight/shock when I arrived at the scene and found Jamie (aged 8) had caught his first salmon. Needless to say, this was one fish they simply had to keep. George and I returned from our moorland walk to hear how the first afternoon had gone the boys were so excited they could barely get the words out to explain what had happened. It made their holiday and made their summer. We have the Hall family and the lovely Croick Estate to thank, for encouraging the next generation to learn about and have a go at these field sports. An important mention should also be given to Frank Laws who taught Archie how to net a salmon last year on the estate. Susie and George Walker

8 Ghillies Eye View (cont...) Oykel The early Spring weather experienced in 2012 was a complete contrast to the previous year. Unseasonably warm temperatures and the general lack of precipitation became the norm throughout January, February and most of March. Very wintry weather reappeared briefly in April taking the average temperature down and bringing the water levels back to a decent fishable height. Water temperature barriers normally hold Spring fish in the lower reaches of the river system, this year the first 3 fish were caught above these barriers which in turn opened up another two miles of great fishing water, three weeks earlier than anticipated. Anglers were upbeat at the prospect of catching large Springers as several fish between 18lb & 20lbs were being caught on a regular basis. The biggest Salmon on the Oykel this season was a relatively short but exceptionally deep, beautiful fish weighing 26lbs taken in the Blue pool in May. There were definite signs of low grade infection throughout most Scottish rivers and we were no exception. One characteristic was the lack of aggressive behaviour during very favourable fishing conditions. Most affected fish survive right through to spawn successfully in November. A very high Catch & Release rate of 99% was achieved on the lower Oykel this Spring with only 2 Salmon being dispatched due to fatal hook location. The entire season was dominated with East wind right through until September when we finally got some stormy, wet weather from the South West. The Lower Oykel was lucky enough to benefit from some thunder storms that fell on the Einig catchment occasionally throughout the summer. Almost 500 fish were caught during July as a substantial run of Grilse passed upstream through the system. The Fantastic 26 lb Spring fish in the Blue Pool highest water on the Oykel during July was 1 9 on the gauge, this was a brief small spate as the majority of the fish were caught with water levels between 0 & 10. The Upper Oykel catch numbers struggled during July due to the low summer water levels but caught up at a great pace in late August and September when the rain finally arrived. The biggest fish on the Upper Oykel was caught in the Shingles pool, the angler was wading across the river in quite high water when this fish Head & Tailed within 6 feet of him. He unhooked the 1 Orange cone head tube fly and dropped it right in front of where he saw the fish, immediately the fish grabbed the fly and after a long struggle a 24lb Salmon was landed. The new access tracks & paths on the Upper river have been a huge success, it is clearly reflected in the catches especially around the previously less accessible areas. The Oykel as a whole must have got very close to 2000 fish off the system if we add the Rivers Mulzie, Rappach and the Benmore beats to our catches. We are all excited about the future of Oykel Bridge Hotel and the possibilities that lay ahead. A group of Upper & Lower Oykel proprietors have purchased the hotel and appointed a board of directors to move their vision forward. They plan to refurbish the hotel over the next three years, with work starting this winter. Plans include purchasing a number of new boats & outboards so the fabulous brown trout lochs in the surrounding area can be better fished from the hotel. Steven Mackenzie Head Ghillie and Fishery Manager A lovely 18lb Springer about to be safely released by Bob Wellard River Oykel Statistics Lower Oykel overall total returned = 89% Junction pool was top with 80 fish Upper Oykel overall total returned = 94% Lubcroy pool was top with 43 fish

9 Ghillies Eye View (cont...) Dounie Dounie s angling benchmark was originally set in 2001, with a tremendous season that yielded 154 salmon and grilse was another very good year that took us close to the previous record. The total catch at the beginning of the last week of the season standing at 152 salmon and grilse. With a week to go it seemed certain we would break the 2001 record but despite best efforts no other fish were caught was our best season ever, mostly due to a cool and wet summer providing fishing throughout the whole of the season. The 2001 record was comprehensively broken with a total catch of 185 salmon and grilse. K Sawyer Upper Shin System - Restoration of Wild Salmon Population This project continued into the 2012 season with exceptionally good results. Although never consistent nor entirely predictable, water flows were not so damaging to the smolt traps this year as last and most of the run season could be utilised for catching smolts from the rivers Tirry, Fiag, Ghriama, and Corriekinloch. Smolts Caught during first two years of project Site Non-Native Wild Others Non-native Wild Others Corriekinloch Ghriama Arctic Char 1 Kelt 3 eels over 2.5 ft Fiag Tirry Kelt 3 eels Data from 2013 onwards will demonstrate returning numbers counted on the diversion dam counters at Lairg. As mentioned in previous reports, the project has inevitably highlighted some of the controversial issues with the presence of a non-native fish stock; however, to look on the positive side, at least this is now in the open, we are very much more aware of the extent of the problem and, together with the aquaculture interests, we are making significant steps in trying to address it. Without our trapping project, none of this would have happened. Discussions with SSE have begun to focus on resolving the problem of the barrier to migration into the long term. It is still early days to make claims that there will be permanent smolt trapping structures put in place; but at least progress is now being made in that direction. As a direct result of our hands on practical involvement in trying to gather data for the project SEPA, as the Regulator, is now very much on-side with regard to the problem and they are increasing pressure on SSE to comply with their obligation to provide an alternative to un-obstructed migration routes. The project will continue into the foreseeable future with running costs being met directly by the Board and Trust together as well as on-going contribution to some parts of it by SSE. It is obviously important to increase the robustness of data by continuing to collect it for some years to come all adding strength to the long-term purpose of re-establishing a self sustaining wild salmon population within the upper tributaries of the Shin system. The project management team are extremely grateful to Highland Leader for their valuable financial input, their understanding of the problems encountered and their flexible and accommodating approach to this complex project working within the unpredictable natural environment. There is no doubt that without their assistance the project would not have gone ahead. Equally, the team are also indebted to the Upper Shin Proprietors for their financial support, their willingness to permit access and their accommodating attitude when things haven t always worked out according to plan. Their desire to see this project work and to eventually re-populate their rivers with wild salmon has been the driving force behind the whole project. Thank you Pete Campbell KSFT Finance and Project Director

10 Seals and Salmon Bag-Nets in the Moray Firth A harbour seal at a salmon bag-net The Kyle of Sutherland Angling Association secretary@kosaa.co.uk Kyle of Sutherland Angling Association Bag-nets make use of the behaviour of migrating salmon and sea-trout in coastal areas to funnel fish into a trap. The fish are then harvested from the traps a number of times each day during the fishing season. The minimum mesh size that can be used is 90mm, no mono-filament can be used in its construction and its design must not aid the enmeshment of salmon. When migrating fish encounter a bag-net their progress is slowed and seals, as well as dolphins in some areas, have learned to exploit this by intercepting fish as they hesitate and by damaging and removing fish from inside these traps. This has led to a long history of conflict at these sites. Studies by the Sea Mammal Research Unit and others have demonstrated that acoustic seal scaring devices and modifications to nets can reduce the loss of salmon to marine mammals. During the salmon fishing season of 2012 we continued our investigations by deploying seal scarers on three nets. At each location the number of salmon landed when the devices were operating was higher than when they were not operating. For more information on the use of seal scarers at salmon nets, as well as in rivers, please see the fact sheets on seal scarer use at: In addition to seal scarers, modifications to salmon bagnets can be made to make it harder for seals to remove or damage fish. To investigate the effectiveness of modified nets, one was fished in an experimental trial alongside a traditional net with four underwater video cameras installed on each net. Analysis of the video footage will hopefully allow us to assess the effectiveness of the modifications and improve our understanding of how seals use nets. Robert Harris, Sea Mammal Research Unit The weather gods were somewhat kinder to anglers fishing the Kyle of Sutherland Angling Association waters during the 2012 season with the result that the salmon and grilse catch totalled just under one hundred. Whilst this number is still significantly down on our long term average it does represent an improvement on the dire 2010 and 2011 catches. At times there appeared to be a good head of salmon and grilse in the Bonar Bridge area which were reluctant to run the rivers despite several small spates. Unfortunately, those fish were often reluctant to take a fly as well which was frustrating at times but at least those anglers who persisted tended to be rewarded with success in the end. Preliminary indications suggest that around 75% of the salmon and grilse caught were returned safely to the water. This is the highest return rate in the history of KOSAA and indicates that members are keen to do their bit to help conserve stocks. Sea Trout catches remained reasonably robust, if a little down on the exceptionally good 2011 figures. I understand from Marcus Walters of the Moray Firth Trout Initiative that the 2011 sea trout figures for the Kyle fishery as a whole were second only to the Spey within the Moray Firth area. It remains a challenge to try to establish what is going right for this enigmatic fish in some areas of the Moray Firth and going wrong in others! At the end of the season a debate was aired regarding the possible adaption of a 100% catch and release policy for the entire Kyle district for the whole season, albeit on a voluntary basis. This was in part a response to the apparently widely fluctuating fortunes of different components of the overall salmon and grilse runs in Scotland in recent years. Ultimately, the Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board decided not to endorse this approach at the present time, a decision with which KOSAA fully concur. There can be no room for complacency in the management and protection of the resource, but equally management needs to be based on sound evidence rather than sentiment. Finally, I would just like to thank all the members of the committee of KOSAA for their hard work during the year and give a special mention to the local water bailiffs who do more than anyone to protect our precious fish. Dr Keith Williams, MIFM Senior Biologist Ness & Beauly Fisheries Trust Check our website for: Local weather and tide information Up to date catch records Trout fishing, Fishing permits, Membership

11 Could you please encourage whatever appropriate contacts you may have to maintain interest and financial support for the Trust. As members of the Trust and participants in the enjoyment of recreational fishing within the Kyle of Sutherland, that's really the most important contribution you can make. Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fisheries Board Conservation Policy Kyle fisheries you hold the future Salmon. Aim to achieve: A 100% release rate catchment wide over the season. Definition; fish 65 cm (approximately 7 lbs) and over nose to the fork of the tail. Grilse. Aim to achieve: All fish released before 15 th June. A minimum of 80% release rate catchment wide over the season. Sea Trout. Aim to achieve: All fish released before the 15 th of June. All fish 50 cm (approximately 3 lbs) and over nose to the fork of the tail released. A minimum of 80% release rate catchment wide over the season. Method. Fly only by statutory instrument. Treble hooks prohibited. Barbless hooks should be used as best practice. Training and Education. The Board to provide education and training for anyone who requests it. Written leaflets and posters explaining the need for the Unified Conservation Policy (UCP) to be provided to all fishery interests. Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board The Hatchery Ardgay Sutherland IV24 3DP Board Members: Robbie Douglas Miller (Ch.) Anthony Fraser John Green Nicky Griffiths James Hall Michael Hasson Jonathon Mason Willie Paterson Richard Sankey Keith Williams Director: Iain McMyn Clerk: Gordon Robertson T: M: Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust Dornoch Road Bonar Bridge Sutherland IV24 3EB Trustees: Charlie Brooke (Ch.) Michael Brown Stephen Gilchrist Tom Inglis Steven Mackenzie Gregor MacLeod Jonathan Mason George Ross Jonny Shaw Keith Williams Director: Iain McMyn Finance & Projects: Pete Campbell T: M: admin@kylefisheries.org SPONSORS KoSDSFB KoSAA

12 A. Gift Aid Declaration: Membership and Gift Aid Declaration Title: Forename: Surname: Address: Postcode: . I would like the Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust (Charity No: SC030207) to treat this as a Gift Aid Donation and all donations I make from the date of this declaration until I notify the Trust otherwise. Signature: Date: Notes: You must be a UK tax payer to make a gift eligible for Gift Aid. The total of income tax and capital gains tax payable by you in each year must be equal to the tax recoverable on all your gifts. For every 1 donated under Gift Aid the Kyle Trust can recover a further 20p. Higher rate tax relief can be claimed by you on Gift Aid Donations A Declaration can be cancelled at any time by notifying us. It must cease if you no longer pay tax. B. Cash donation: Cheque enclosed made payable to Kyle Trust: C. To make a series of donations for future years please complete the Banker s Order below. Banker s Order To: The Manager Bank: Sort Code: Address: Postcode: Please pay to Royal Bank of Scotland, 19 High Street, Tain. IV19 1AD for the credit of: Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust - Account No: Sort Code: the sum of On the (date) and annually until otherwise instructed. No. of account to be debited: Account name: Signed: Date: Name: Address: Postcode: Please tick this box if you do NOT want to receive mail, or newsletters from the Kyle Trust. Please return this completed document to KSFT, Dornoch Road, Bonar Bridge, Ardgay, IV24 3BR