Yours Aye Eddie. Chairman of the LLFT

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1 Welcome to the Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust (LLFT) second Annual Newsletter. Most of you will know the role of the Trust: we are an environmental charity which exists to champion the conservation of Loch Lomond's native fish populations and their habitats. We work closely with the LLAIA and several members of the Association are in fact Trustees & Directors. Last year the LLFT conducted a full financial & operational review. This resulted in the Trust no longer employing a full time Biologist. We are currently outsourcing this work to Carolyn Bryce who has been working with the Trust for the last three years. We have two core Biological responsibilities: smolt trapping & electro-fishing, which were completed during the year. But Carolyn s team has completed several other projects in We were commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to finish the habitat surveys on the Blane & Endrick Waters for instance, and complete Phase 1 & 2 of the Invasive Non-native Species project (INNS). During 2014, we also worked on other exciting projects, the first being Rare Fish in the National Park. This is principally centred around the Powan and Luss Primary School, helping to educate local schoolchildren about this extraordinary fish. In conjunction with the Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association we worked on the Luss Water Sea Trout Recovery Plan and in particular Improvements on the River Fruin. Over the autumn months we completed an electro fishing project for a proposed Hydro scheme on the Gonachan Burn, an important spawning tributary of the Endrick, which proved rather arduous due to the terrain and the inclement weather! All this would not have been possible without financial support & encouragement from the Riparian Owners, local farmers, the LLAIA,SNH and our sponsors such as Cameron House & Lomond Motors. We are extremely grateful for the funding the Association is able to offer. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank James Bilsland very much for allowing the Trust to work our Smolt trap on his land from March to May every year. Our most important asset is our volunteers whose enthusiasm and commitment is mission-critical to the success of these projects. Many of them have come from the LLAIA and again I would like to express our immense gratitude to everyone who has given us their time and hard work. We would like to encourage more volunteers, especially young enthusiasts, from all over our catchment area, particularly from the National Park. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for embracing the catch & release policy, which was implemented 18 months ago. The Spring and Autumn fish entering the Loch via the River Leven are still the most vulnerable. Conservation is particularly important when we do not have many fish in the system like last year. I would like to reiterate that we are totally committed to preserving and enhancing the Loch Lomond System for our future generations to enjoy. The Thinn Report, which has been recently circulated by the Scottish Government will present the whole of Scotland with some interesting & difficult challenges. To this end, I encourage everyone to strive to fulfil our goals and work even closer together going forward. Yours Aye Eddie Chairman of the LLFT 1

2 Annual Review 2014 The Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust have been working on a number of different projects throughout 2014 which have been summarised below: Rotary Screw Smolt Trap Members of the Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust and the Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association deployed the rotary screw trap (RST) in the Endrick Water at the end of March. The RST sits on the outer edge of a meander and captures a proportion of Atlantic salmon and sea trout smolts migrating down river towards the sea, allowing for each captured smolt to be counted and measured to fork length with scale samples taken to determine age. Collecting smolts provides a good estimate of juvenile production within the Endrick system while providing valuable information on characteristics such as length, age and time of migration of the local population. The number of smolts captured is approximately 15-20% of the total smolt population passing the trap. Volunteers deploying the Rotary Screw Trap into the Endrick Water. There were 116 salmon smolts and 151 trout smolts caught between the 30th of March and 7th of May 2014, which is an improvement on the number caught in The majority of smolts were caught between 23rd of April and the 1st of May. Although there were a number of days when the RST was not operational due to spate conditions which may have contributed to the low numbers of smolts caught. It is also possible that low water temperatures and adverse conditions at the beginning of 2013 could have contributed to the low number of smolts captured this year. However, it should be kept in mind that smolt numbers will naturally fluctuate from year to year. Number of Smolts Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout Smolt Numbers for the River Endrick Year Salmon Smolt Trout Smolt

3 Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) Project The LLFT took on a contract provided by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to manage selected Invasive Non Native plant species present along the Endrick Water and one of its tributaries, the Blane Water in Loch Lomond in The surveys in 2012 primarily focussed on recording the distribution and abundance of Giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam, however, if other INNS were present, their locations were also noted. These surveys revealed that all three species are present within the Endrick and Blane catchment threatening the local environment by outcompeting and excluding native flora and fauna thus changing riparian habitats. All three species go through a winter die back leaving river banks open to erosion and the accumulation of dead vegetation within a watercourse can also contribute to localised flooding. Large infestations of these species may also reduce the amenity of the catchment by restricting local access for a number of leisure and sporting activities such as angling. It is likely that all three species were introduced into the catchment through the movement of contaminated soil, seeds and/or plant fragments with vehicles and foot traffic being the most likely vectors of transfer. Once established, the river system contributes to the spread by carrying seeds and plant material downstream. Himalayan balsam in the foreground with Japanese knotweed in the background near the Dumgoyach bridge on the Blane Water. In 2014, the Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust has been using a number of methods to treat/control all three riparian INNS currently present within the catchment. The three main methods used have been spraying of herbicide, injecting undiluted herbicide directly into plant stems and pulling Himalayan balsam out by hand. We were able to treat very large infestations of Himalayan balsam, Giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed within the Endrick Water catchment area with the help of our volunteers. The LLFT would like to express our gratitude to the many volunteers who dedicated their time to the project. This is a project that will continue into 2015 due to the persistence of these plants meaning total eradication will take a number of years. Knapsack spraying of herbicide onto Japanese knotweed and Giant hogweed. 3

4 Volunteers pulling out Himalayan balsam by hand on the Blane Water. Carrying Capacity Since 2010 surveys have been carried out to calculate the carrying capacity of the Endrick Water, that is the potential natural Atlantic salmon production possible from the habitat available in the river. Detailed river habitat surveys of the upper and middle sections of the Endrick were carried out to quantify the total habitat and assess the quality of habitat available to Atlantic salmon. With the use of this data it was possible to estimate the number of spawning salmon needed to produce enough eggs so that a good level of juveniles for the upper and middle Endrick is achieved. Additional surveys of the lower Endrick and its tributaries, the Blane Water, the Catter Burn and the Carnock Burn were carried out in 2013 to add to this study. The final report for the surveyed sections will be completed this spring and feed into the work already completed on the upper section of the Endrick Water. Electrofishing The Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust carried out a number of electrofishing surveys towards the end of summer. This information is used to determine the current status of the fish populations inhabiting each surveyed site. A quantitative 3 run depletion survey was carried out on the Auchengaich burn so that the number of fish per 100m2 could be calculated. Using this information it is possible to compare the results from 2014 to previous years and assess whether the population status is changing. A quantitative 3 run depletion survey was also used to establish what fish species were present within the Murroch Burn and at what density. A healthy population of brown (sea) trout and Sticklebacks were discovered within the burn despite its proximity to the Aggreko outflow and the very low water levels.

5 A quantitative 3 run depletion survey on the Murroch burn. Examples of trout captured during the electrofishing survey at the Murroch burn. 5

6 Contracts The Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust took on a contract to survey the fish habitat and fish population within the Gonachan burn, Fintry, to provide information on the status of fish and to identify whether the aquatic environment of the burn is capable of supporting salmonid species. This information was gathered in response to the potential development of a hydroelectric scheme on the Gonachan burn. The surveys indicated that the Gonachan burn contains high quality nursery habitats and supports healthy populations of both juvenile Atlantic salmon and brown (sea) trout below a series of impassable waterfalls half way up the Gonachan burn. Furthermore, above the waterfalls, a population of resident brown trout were discovered. Using this information the LLFT have recommended appropriate mitigation measures if the hydroscheme goes ahead. A large brown trout captured upstream of impassable waterfalls on the Gonachan burn. A quantitative 3 run depletion survey on the Gonachan burn.

7 Powan in the Classroom Project As with previous years, the LLFT coordinated the Powan in the classroom project at Luss Primary School. This project brings conservation to the classroom and aims to encourage students to learn about the life history of Powan, highlighting their significance to the environment and the local area. The students at Luss Primary were responsible for caring for a number of Powan eggs until they hatched into alevins which were released into the loch. Training In June, members of the LLFT and the LLAIA completed a two day Level 2 Outdoor First Aid course. The course is specifically aimed at those who work outdoors or in remote environments and teaches accident procedure, recognition of symptoms and how to treat casualties. Volunteers learning how to recognise and treat suspected head injuries. 7 Two members of the LLFT also received an Introductory Electrofishing certificate from the Scottish Fisheries Coordination Centre after completing a two day course. The course primarily focussed on basic procedure and the health and safety aspects of electrofishing.

8 Surveying Redds A number of LLFT volunteers have been surveying stretches of river within the catchment area of Loch Lomond, namely the River Leven for evidence of spawning trout and salmon. Redd counting is widely used as a method of assessing local abundance of spawners each year and to identify which spawning areas are used. This information will be used as an indication of the health of the returning spawning population. Looking Ahead 2015 In 2015, the Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust will be continuing a number of the projects mentioned above as well as developing additional projects. Rotary Screw Smolt Trap In 2015, the Loch Lomond Fisheries trust will be deploying two rotary screw traps, one within the lower stretches of the Endrick and one within the Blane Water. It is hoped that this will provide us with a good estimation of juvenile production from two separate populations within the Endrick system. The efficiency of the smolt trap within the Blane Water will need to be established so we may know what proportion of the smolts are being captured by the trap and thus estimate the total smolt production from the Blane. A mark and recapture experiment will need to be carried out during the peak migration period of the smolts. Carrying Capacity The final report for this project will be completed this spring and feed into the work already completed on the upper and middle sections of the Endrick Water. It is hoped that additional funding will become available so that we may survey a number of smaller tributaries of the Endrick system. Invasive Non-Native Species Project This year the INNS project will begin in March as soon as the invasive plant species begin to emerge. It is important that each control method is used at the correct time of the year. For Giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam it is vital to start treatment before plants begin to flower as to prevent these species from developing viable seeds. Himalayan balsam is shallow rooted and easily removed by hand. In 2014, this proved to be an effective and selective treatment method and will continue to be used in The chosen method of control for Japanese knotweed and Giant hogweed is spraying and stem injection which will be applied from March to October. The aim is to apply these treatment methods throughout the Endrick and Blane catchment however if we are to achieve this we will need a large number of volunteers to help. Training and equipment will be provided to anyone who wishes to help with the project. Electrofishing The LLFT will be carrying out a number of electrofishing surveys this year to monitor the status of fish populations within our system. The core electrofishing sites will be reviewed before field work begins and new burns may be surveyed so we may broaden our understanding of the system. In 2015, the Fruin Water and Luss Water will be extensively surveyed so that we may establish how healthy the fish population is and identify if there are any problems within the system. Using this information, the LLFT will begin to develop appropriate action plans as a means to manage and improve the system. Contracts The Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust will take on any new contracts and provide assistance to current developments.

9 Powan in the Classroom Project The LLFT are currently developing the Powan in the Classroom project and it is hoped that additional schools within the area may benefit from the project. Powan are one of the rarest fish in the UK, only naturally found in Loch Lomond and Loch Eck within Scotland, however the Loch Lomond population is in serious long term decline as a result of the introduction of Ruffe. The project provides information on the life cycle of Powan and the relationships it has with other species within the Loch. Once the Powan eggs have hatched the students will release the Powan into the Loch towards the end of March. 9