Laughton, R., and Burns, S. (2003). Assessment of sea lamprey distribution and abundance in the River Spey: Phase III. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 043 (ROAME No. F02AC604).

A walk survey of the River Spey was conducted during summer 2002 to identify potential areas of lamprey habitat. These were then classified into optimal and sub-optimal habitat. In total 158 potential areas were identified, 59 of optimal habitat and 99 of sub-optimal habitat.

An electro-fishing survey was then conducted at 28 sites (23 optimal habitat and five sub-optimal habitat) using pulsed DC. Timed fishings were conducted at each site providing Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) data. In addition, an estimate of the area fished was also recorded allowing density to be calculated.

Fish Populations and Invertebrates in Some Headwaters of the Rivers Dee and Spey 1983-1985.
B R S Morrison and R Harriman Scottish Fisheries Research Report Number 53 1992

This reports provides data on the water chemistry, fish, invertebrate and zooplankton populations in the upper reaches of the Rivers Spey and Dee during 1983 to 1985.

The effect of temperature on growth and early maturation in a wild population of Atlantic salmon parr. D. Baum, R. Laughton, J. D. Armstrong and N. B. Metcalfe. J. Fish Biol 67, 2005.

In the River Fiddich, a tributary of the River Spey, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr exposed to heated water effluent were larger than parr living upstream of the discharge. There was no effect, however, of temperature on the incidence of male parr maturation, despite the link between growth and maturation found in other studies. Mature parr upstream of the effluent were smaller than mature parr downstream of it,suggesting a higher size threshold for maturation in those parr exposed to the heated water. The small distance between upstream and downstream sampling sites probably precluded genetic differences between the parr, thus implying an environmental influence on the threshold size above which male parr matured.

Laughton. R.

Fisheries Research Services Report 14/91.

An electro-fishing survey of the distribution and population densities of juvenile salmon and trout in the River Spey was implemented in 1990. This report provided data from the initial years survey.

R Laughton

Fisheries Research Report 02/93

A survey of the distribution and population densities of juvenile salmon and trout in the river Spey was implemented in 1990. The 1990 survey results are presented in Laughton (1991). During 1991 a further 53 sites were examined throughout the catchment. This short report presents data on the distribution and population densities of salmon and trout at the sites examined on the Spey during 1991. Where 1990 sites were revisited data from both years are presented and compared.

R Laughton

Spey Research Report 04/95

This report details the results of the 1992 survey of juvenile salmon and trout within the Spey catchment. Data on the population distribution and density (m-2) of salmon and trout for 42 sites are presented. Where data is available from previous surveys it is compared with the 1992 results.

Similar to previous years most of the salmon and trout caught were of age 0+, 1+ or 2+. The range of densities for 0+ salmon and trout was similar, while the older trout age classes showed a more restricted range than the equivalent salmon age class. Salmon older than 2+ were rare and similar to previous surveys were limited to sites in the upper catchment.

J. Bray and R. Laughton

Spey Research Trust Report 05/95

A survey of the distribution and population densities of juvenile salmon and trout in the River Spey was implemented in 1990. Further surveys have been carried out annually. As part of the continuing study, this report presents data on the distribution and population densities of salmon and trout at the sites examined in the Spey catchment during 1994.