Freshwater Lochan Survey Project Completed!
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As you explore Coigach and Assynt you can’t help but notice the enormous amount of freshwater lochans; it’s no wonder that this is an important habitat for wildlife but also a large attraction for visitors and anglers. Many a photographer, artist and ecologist have flocked to the area to see the beautiful views the lochans enhance and the wildlife they sustain. Within Assynt alone, angling has been found to be worth £345,840-£432,300 per annum to the community.
Even with this being the case the freshwater lochan habitat is little understood, often impacting on the management of the lochan system and could cause biodiversity loss or even a reduction in fish stocks. West Sutherland Fisheries Trust identified this as a problem and working with Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Partnership have increased the understanding of what the current situation in our lochans is. The findings have now been gathered into a report and will help devise future management plans.
Dr Shona Marshall from WSFT and a team of 12 volunteers and staff set out to carry out the research over 2018/19 in over 20 of the myriad of lochans, capturing and analysing 3 of the 7 species occurring within the freshwaters of Sutherland: Trout, Arctic Charr and minnows. Using gill nets, samples of species within each loch where analysed and indicate that the fish populations seem to be healthy and have a balanced natural diet. Further research using eDNA could provide further results on the species composition of the lochs.
This initial pilot study brought some management recommendations to light that would benefit the lochans within Assynt and Coigach. Dr Shona Marshall noted that “From sample catches we were able to produce a trout length – weight guide for trout calibrated to the local populations, and also confirmed Arctic Charr in one new location. Unfortunately, minnows that have been introduced as bait were found in 4 new locations.” The recommendations have been shared with the managers of the fisheries within the area. The study also brought to light future research that would help us understand these freshwater systems better as well as looking after the fish stocks within them.
Thank you to the players of the lottery through the National Lottery Heritage Fund and for Scottish Natural Heritage for their support of the project. Also thank you to the West Sutherland Fisheries Trust and Dr Shona Marshall for undertaking this project.
To read the full report please click the link below: