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Annual Report 2018

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Annual Report 2018 KYLE OF SUTHERLAND FISHERIES Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust Bank House Ardgay Sutherland IV24 3BG [email protected] www.kylefieheries.org Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Annual Report Contents Organisations Page 2 Chairman’s Foreword Page 3 Director’s Foreword Page 4 Kyle Fisheries structure Page 5 Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fisheries Board 1.1 Fishery performance Pages 6-10 1.2 Enforcement Pages 11-12 1.3 Science & Mitigation Officers Report Pages 12-14 1.4 Hatchery 2017/18 Page 14 1.5 Consultations Page 15 1.6 Predator Control Page 15 1.7 Complaints Page 15 1.8 Compliance Pages 15-16 1.9 Juvenile Surveys Pages 16-18 1.10 Website redevelopment Page 19 Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust 2.1 National Electrofishing Programme for Scotland Pages 20-21 2.2 Aquaculture Interactions Genetics Pages 21-22 2.3 Shin Smolt Trapping Pages 22-24 2.4 Carron Temperature Network Pages 24-26 2.5 Oykel Temperature Network Page 26 2.6 Fish Rescue Page 27 2.7 Use of high-powered laser to aid sawbill scaring Pages 27-28 2.8 Frome Visit Pages 29-30 Finance Reports 3.1 Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board Profit & Loss Page 31 3.2 Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust Statement of Financial Activities Page 32 Page | 1 Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust Chairman Richard Sankey Trustees Michael Brown John Green Steven Mackenzie (River Workers Representative) Robbie Douglas Miller Ashe Windham Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fisheries Board Chairman Richard Sankey, Upper Oykel Proprietors John Green, Lower Oykel Nicky Griffiths, Braelangwell Estate Gary Gruber, Skibo Estate Rob Whitson, Mandatory Glencassley Estate Alex Hunter, Dounie Estate Robbie Douglas Miller, Upper & Lower Shin William Paterson, Netsman Co-optees Peter Routledge, Kyle of Sutherland Angling Association Ashe Windham, Upper Oykel Clerk Dr Keith Williams Staff Dr Keith Williams, Director Jacqui Hamblin, Administrator John Audsley, Bailiff Supervisor Sean Robertson, Science & Mitigation Officer Iain Gollan, Bailiff Philip Blowers, Bailiff Page | 2 Chairman’s Foreword The prolonged drought during much of 2018 was one of the longest recorded, with no meaningful rain from the end of April through until the second week of August. I had to go back to 1954 to find a similar dry period. By contrast the infamous drought of 1976 delivered more rain during the summer months than in 2018. Despite the lack of fishing opportunities during much of the season it is encouraging to discover that the KOS rod catch ended up at 2914, mostly helped by good fishing conditions in April and also again at the end of the season. By contrast the years’ of 1954 and 1976 produced rod catches of only 1031 and 1273 respectively. This should however be seen in the context of the nets taking approximately 9000 fish in each of these years. With the coastal and estuarine nets no longer in operation the benefits to the regions salmon is clearly apparent. However, the loss in numbers from the net fishery goes someway in demonstrating the level of decline in salmon stocks overall. These are difficult times for salmon in Scotland and beyond; yet compared to many other regions we appear to be fairing much better than most. This does not mean we can afford to be in any way complacent, instead we must do all we can to help our fish stocks to thrive. The year saw an increase in project and mitigation activity, all of which helped to increase our knowledge and understanding about the fishery and the various factors that influence survival. It is of course through good scientific evidence that we can best influence future management practice. Both the KSDSFB and the KSFT are in a strong position going forward and I am pleased to report that there are number of significant projects planned for 2019 and beyond, all of which are focused on protecting and enhancing the regions fish stocks. Kyle Fisheries is extremely fortunate to have an excellent staff team carrying out an array of statutory and non-statutory work. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for their very hard work, professionalism and commitment. Richard Sankey (Chairman) Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board Kyle of Sutherland Fishery Trust April 2019 Page | 3 Director’s Foreword Once again 2018 can be characterised as being a very busy year. Work to transport and monitor smolts was at the core of the work undertaken in the spring months and the new working arrangements with SSE was a success. We were joined in February by Sean Robertson, our Science and Mitigation Officer. Sean has taken to his role with gusto and has greatly increased the capacity of the organisation to undertake science-based project and mitigation work. The summary he produced of his activities for this annual report highlights the diverse range of tasks he undertook during his first field season with us. Additionally, Sean has taken on many tasks associated with better communicating the work of Kyle Fisheries to the outside world. This has been done largely of his own volition. Considerable effort and financial resources were expended on upgrading the website. Jacqui Hamblin was largely responsible for collating the material on the website and coordinating with Cheryl Hopkins, the website developer. I hope that the new site now represents an excellent portal for all things fish related in the Kyle of Sutherland district. A conscious decision was taken to include more material on individual fisheries within the area. These fisheries form a vital component of the overall economic activity in this area. The dry period in the summer stretched enforcement resources due to salmon congregating in the Kyle and at various falls on the rivers. The bailiffs responded with typical dedication and protected the fish from illegal activity as much as possible until the welcome rainfall in September allowed the fish to migrate as normal. Their continued flexibility in both working hours and the types of task undertaken is much appreciated by the rest of the staff and is not taken for granted. John Audsley undertook the IFM Certificate course during the year and is to be congratulated for successfully passing the exams. Finally, I would like to thank all the members of the fishery board and the trustees who give their time voluntarily to ensure the smooth running of both organisations. In particular, the members of the joint management group are a constant source of support and encouragement. Keith Williams (Director) Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board Kyle of Sutherland Fishery Trust April 2019 Page | 4 Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Structure Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries represents two organisations that work closely together. The Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board was initially established in the 1860’s and has a remit defined by statute. The remit extends to salmon and sea trout only. The original legislation has been amended on various occasions culminating in the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013. The Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee with incorporation commencing in 2000. The Trust has a much broader remit than the Board with its sphere of operation encompassing all species of fish and the aquatic environment in general. The structure of the operation of Kyle Fisheries is explained in the following diagram. Page | 5 variation. annual considerable to subject to be appeared catches 1990’s grilse and 1980’s the in even but periods earlier some case the generally was than prolific consistent grils whereas permission of MSS, who are not responsible for interpretation of these data by third parties.third by data these of interpretation for responsible not are MSS, who of permission A feature of the 1952 the of feature A of catches from 1952 of from catches Science dataset ofcontextBoard Scotland the within theMarine historical 2018 by the data collected data and increase of 1 an 2017, in 2,518 of figure Scotland a Marine to compared season the for 2,914 of salmon catch data catch proprietor Provisional months. summer Salmon rodcatch increased 2018 in onthe2017 figures despite the extended dry period in the 1.1 Board Fisheries Salmon District Sutherland of Kyle Rod Catch Fishery Performance 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 500 0 1 6% above the five year (201 year five the above 6% 1952 1498 6 1705 is total catch %. The 1954 1031 1741 1956 2264 1892 1958 2465 1678 - - 2017. The data used in the following graphs 2017 rod catch data set is that salmon catches appear to have been relatively relatively been have to appear catches salmon that is set data catch rod 2017 1960 1461 1895 e catches have been far more variable. Presently, grilse catches appear less catches variable. less appear grilse more Presently, been far e have catches 1962 2220 2186 1964 2219 1833 1966 2045 2947 1968 2408 1839 8 1970 2293 1952 forfigure the mean % above the 2094 Salmon & Grilse 1972 2529 Catch & Grilse Salmon Total 2711 3 - 1974 2059 provisional the below place The graphs 2,515 of mean 2017) 2747 1976 1273 2227 1978 3238 3780 1980 2850 3032 1982 2887 submitted to the Board suggests a total grilse and and grilse atotal suggests Board the to submitted Year 2712 1984 2061 2771 1986 3157 2949 5 Year Average 1988 4511 3700 1990 3219 2541 1992 4503 3393 1994 2905 are Crown copyright, used with the 4613 1996 3140 3295 1998 3908 2569 - 2000 3677 Scotland Marine catch 2017 3493 2002 2214 2154 2004 3553 3045 2006 3354 3830 2008 2982 2412 2010 4451 3376 2012 4091 3269 2014 1638 Page | 3005 2016 2147 2518 2018 2914 6 Individual River Totals 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Carron Cassley Oykel Shin Evelix Kyle Salmon & Grilse Components of Catch 5000 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 Rod Catch 2000 1500 1000 500 0 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 Year Salmon Grilse Page | 7 In order to assess if any statistically significant downward trends are detectable in the components of the catch the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation rod catch tool is utilised.
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