A SUMMARY OF TRUST ACHIEVEMENTS & ACTIVITIES SINCE MAY 2001

    Removal of Permanent Obstructions

  • Removal of dam on Auchintoul burn – opened up approx: 10km of previously inaccessible habitat for over 100 years. Salmon juveniles already found upstream.

 

THE AUCHINTOUL BURN AFTER THE REMOVAL OF THE KINNAIRDY DAM

  • Modification of 3 Irish Fords (Cairnie & Lag Burns) – easier access to 15 km of habitat. Salmon juveniles already found upstream.

 

MODIFICATION TO IRISH FORD AT COYNACHIE ON THE LAG BURN

  • Installed fish ladder on Monquhitter burn – easier access to 7 km of habitat

FISH LADDER ON THE MONQUHITTER BURN

  • Installed fish ladder on Garrel burn – easier access to 3 km of habitat.
  • Installed fish ladder on Fernking burn – easier access to 3 km of habitat
  • Installed fish ladder on Isla at Chivas - easier access to 55 km of habitat. Approx 70 fish reported going through in 1 hour in late October.
  • Removed dam on Towie burn – opened up approx: 4 km of habitat – closed to migratory fish for over 100 years.

          THE DAM ON THE TOWIE BURN                                     AFTER REMOVAL

  • Contracted FWAG to enrol farmers to apply to Rural Stewardship Scheme and Scottish Forestry Grant Schemes. (For 2006 this scheme is in abeyance waiting on the New Land Management Contract system to be put in place)
    • 2005 scheme produced £240,000 of habitat improvement from 8 farmers (35 contacted)
    • 2 farmers planted riparian woodland under SFGS
    • 6,445 metres of fencing with 9 alternative waterings
    • 25.5 ha of wetland management
    • 14,865 metres of buffer strips
    • 2004 scheme produced £200,000 of habitat improvements from 10 farmers (30 contacted)
    • 6 ha of water margin = approx: 10 km
    • 22 ha wetland management.

A SECTION OF GLENBOGIE AFTER RIPARIAN ENHANCEMENT UNDER THE RURAL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME 

  • Tree clearance & coppicing on Kirkney Water (5 km), Braco burn (2 km), Upper Isla (1 km)
  • 400 metres fencing and swinging gate on Kirkney Water.
  • Bank revetment on Aultmore burn and Bogie. Received £1,000 grant from Moray Firth Partnership. Assisted by team from BTCV (British Trust of Conservation Volunteers).
  • Identification and removal of temporary obstacles such as fallen trees and debris on many minor burns.
  • Survey of River Bogie and design of Habitat Enhancement Scheme.
  • Consultation with Forestry Commission on blockages caused by fallen trees.
  • Hogweed control on entire length of River Isla – major source of hogweed.
  • Hatchery built (2003) at head of Isla at Drummuir. Hatchery delivered 40,000 Sea Trout 2004; 160,000 Deveron fed fry in Autumn 2005; 60,000 Deveron Autumn fed fry and 4,000 Sea Trout 2006.

    Education & Outreach

  • “Salmon goes to school project” with 10 primary schools. Ongoing with 6 schools every year.
  • Web site extended to promote education, fishing and accommodation in Deveron. ( www.deveron.org )
  • Members of RAFTS to promote Scottish Trusts activities throughout Scotland.
  • Partner in Moray Firth Seal Action Plan.
  • Newsletter distributed to 200 supporters biannually. Attracting average £3,000 p.a. subscriptions/donations from anglers.

    Monitoring

  • Ongoing Annual Electro-fishing - updating the 1991 Ross Gardner Report subsequently designed by Colin Carnie (received Lottery Fund Grant to purchase brood-stock electro-fishing equipment & fish transport tank (£5,000) in 2003).
  • Juvenile fish and invertebrate monitoring of burns according to the Carnie Report and especially within Clashindarroch prior to wind farm planning decision.
  • Temperature monitoring at Aultmore, Glendronnach, Ardmore & Strathisla Distilleries on behalf of Malt Distillers Association and Spey Research Trust.
  • A major project for 2006 has been the alteration to three obstacles on the River Isla at Keith, with the installation of a fish counter and video monitoring.


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