Sea and Brown Trout

As part of the Moray Firth Sea Trout Project the Spey Foundation carried out electrofishing surveys for juvenile trout on 29 small burns along the middle to lower Spey and along the coast during 2009. The aim of the surveys was to collect data on the distribution and broad abundance of juvenile trout in small burns that had not been previously surveyed. These small burns have generally been ignored in the past as they have not been considered large enough for salmon, however, they are potentially very important for spawning trout. Due to their size they often suffer from poor land use practices so it is important that they are properly surveyed and can be given due management and protection. From this initial survey core survey areas have been established for longer term monitoring and burns where remedial work to improve stocks is required have been identified.

Walker, A. 2009.  River Spey Sea Trout Scale Project.

This report describes an analysis of sea trout scales from the River Spey during 2003 to 2009 and compares them with results from older collections, nominally made in 1928, 1976, 1984 and 1985. Analysis indicates a trend towards faster juvenile development leading to younger average age at smolt migration, also better overall growth at sea, earlier onset of sexual maturity and possibly shortened lifespan.

The Moray Firth Sea Trout Project has been operational since March 2008. This collaborative project has combined the efforts of Fisheries Trusts, Fishery Boards and Angling Associations towards the research, protection and management of Moray Firth Sea Trout. This report provides a summary of progress, findings and future of the project.