Fishery Board Annual Report 2015

Daltulich Bridge

1 Findhorn Fishery Board

Chairman Alasdair Laing (Logie Estate)

Board Members Julie Balgonie (Glenferness Estate) Ewen Brodie (Lethen Estate) Colin Cawdor (Cawdor Estate) Alastair Gordon-Cumming (Altyre Estate) Robert Hoskin (Lethen Estate) Andrew Howard ( Estates) Anthony Laing (Coulmony Estate) Philip Mackenzie (Glenkylachie Estate) David Sneddon ( Angling Association)* Co-optees Seymour Monro (FNLFT)**

Staff Robert Laughton (FNLFT Director) Sean Maclean (Superintendent) Billy Forrester (Bailiff) Valerie Wardlaw (Administrator) Clerk Will Cowie (R&R Urquhart) * Billy Strathdee deputised for David Sneddon when required. **Seymour Monro stood down as Chairman of the Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Trust in December 2015 and was replaced by Mark Laing who was subsequently co-opted on to the Board in December 2015.

Address

Fisheries Office, Logie Steading, Dunphail, Forres, IV36 2QN. Tel 01309 611220

Emails Chairman: [email protected] Director: [email protected] Administrator: [email protected]

Web Site: www.fnlft.org.uk

2 Chairman’s Report

The 2015 season saw a return to near average catches following the disappointing year in 2014. Water levels tended to favour the fish with no major spates but sufficient water to allow fish to spread through the system and up into the headwaters.

Conservation measures, both statutory (to 31st March) and voluntary are well observed with a 91% spring release rate and an overall rate for the season of 82%.

The river director maintains a close eye on developments within the catchment, both monitoring for any adverse long term effect post construction and ensuring that developers observe planning conditions and good practice during construction. Experience to date suggests that developers are taking their environmental responsibilities seriously and react positively to any suggestions made.

Invasive Non Native Species, in particular Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed are, and will remain, an ongoing problem. Progress has been made, with 94km of banks treated over the past 4 years, and it is essential that effort is maintained for several more years to ensure real success.

Predator control has concentrated on Mink in recent years and numbers are now estimated to be low although mink are still present in some areas. Focus is now on monitoring of other predators to build up the knowledge base needed to assess and implement control where needed.

Following Albert Duffus’ retirement after of 20 years on the river the bailiffing team of Sean and Billy continue to work at traditional tasks while also co-operating closely with the Trust on the more scientific aspects of river management and maintaining a high level of training and development in the skills needed for their job.

The Board works closely, and often seamlessly, with the Trust.

Alasdair Laing

3 and Fishery District

The River Findhorn has a catchment area of over 1,300km2 and a stream network length of about 1,500km, of which the main river comprises 90km. The catchment is split between two Local Authority administrations, which are the and Moray Councils.

The Findhorn Fishery District (Figure 1) includes the River Findhorn and its tributaries plus 35km of coastline in the , from Burghead to the east of the Findhorn estuary to The Bar in the west. The District extends 3 nautical miles out to sea (Figure 2). The Muckle, Mosset, and Burgie Burns are also included within the District.

Figure 1: Findhorn catchment and coastal district.

4 River Findhorn Salmon and Sea Trout Catches 2015

Salmon and sea trout catches are summarised in Figures 1 and 2 and Table 1 below and more detailed beat by beat and seasonal information is provided in Appendix 1.

4000

3500

3000

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2000

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0

1968 1990 1994 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1992 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 1952 Figure 2: Findhorn salmon and grilse rod catch 1952 to 2015.

800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

Figure 3: Rod catches for sea trout for River Findhorn from 1952 to 2015.

5 The salmon and grilse catch for 2015 was 2296 which was an encouraging improvement on 2013 and 2014 seasons (Figure 2) and above the long term average for the river of 1647. Sea trout catches also showed and improvement with the catch in 2015 amounting to 168 which is well above the last few seasons although still slightly short of the long term average of 198.

Table 1 provides a summary of the spring salmon, summer salmon, grilse and sea trout caught throughout the 2015 Findhorn fishing season. Catch and release rates are encouragingly high with a 100% release rate achieved for spring salmon in keeping with recent legislation and over 80% for summer salmon, grilse and sea trout. The Board are delighted that anglers have adopted a very positive response to catch and release recommendations and are contributing to safeguarding stocks for the future.

Table 1: Numbers of spring salmon, summer salmon, grilse and sea trout caught and catch and release rates for the River Findhorn, 2015.

Caught and Caught and Release Rate Total Released Retained (%) Spring Salmon 89 0 89 100%

Summer Salmon 978 176 1154 85% Grilse 813 240 1053 82% Sea Trout 139 29 168 83% Notes: 1. Spring salmon = multi-sea-winter salmon caught between 11th Feb and 30th April: Summer salmon = multi-sea-winter salmon caught between 1st May and 30th Sept: Grilse = one sea-winter salmon generally caught from May to September. 2. Findhorn angling season opens on 11th Feb and closes on 30th which last from 11th February to 30th September each year.

Scottish Government Wild Fisheries Reform

The Scottish Government published its response to the Wild Fisheries Review on the 15th May 2015 which went out to public consultation in early 2015. The shift in title to Wild Fisheries Reform, rather than Review, indicated the Government’s intention to progress to implementation to overhaul the existing fishery management structure in . This will potentially see the dissolution of Fishery Boards and Trusts to be replaced by Fishery Management Organisations (FMOs) responsible for delivering fishery management across a wider geographical area along with a considerable range of other changes.

6 The Board held an open meeting to the general public and our two neighbouring Fishery Boards (Lossie and Nairn) at the Long Room at Logie Steading to discuss the Reform proposals in 2015 and the general consensuses was to support the ASFB response to the Reform developed by the Association of Fishery Boards (ASFB) and also contribute to a more locally specific response submitted by the FNLFT.

The Scottish Government has also begun work on a draft National Strategy to ensure that work carried out locally will enable the Scottish Government to achieve its international obligations. The Scottish Government will consult on this later in 2016 while the consultation for the draft Bill for a new wild fisheries management system can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/02/6138. The Board and the FNLFT will be responding to the consultation in 2016 and we would also urge anglers and proprietors to also submit comments.

Numerous working groups with representatives from both Government and the fisheries sector have been formed and are contributing to the development of the reform process. Further information on these important changes in Scottish fisheries management can be found at:- http://www.asfb.org.uk/news/ http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Salmon-Trout-Coarse/fishreform

Conserving Wild Salmon Proposals

The Scottish Government also consulted in February 2015 on proposals to introduce a licensing system for the killing of wild salmon, together with an accompanying carcass tagging scheme. However, proposals for carcass tagging proved unpopular and raised considerable objections so have been abandoned. Instead the Scottish Government issued a consultation on revised proposals for salmon conservation in Sept 2015 based on a developing conservation limits for each river. The new proposals also prohibit salmon netting for three years along with a review after three years.

Assessing the conservation status of salmon is a straightforward idea as essentially it is determining whether or not the number of salmon spawning is above a critical threshold level. However, managing the uncertainties in assessing this leads to some complexity. ICES and countries reporting to NASCO have developed pragmatic approaches for applying conservation limits and these have been drawn on to construct the system for Scotland. The methods used

7 are detailed in the technical document, http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00491330.pdf. The approach requires some knowledge of first, actual levels of spawning and second, the minimum acceptable (target) levels of spawning. The target level is also called the “conservation limit”. Actual spawning levels are usually expressed in terms of egg deposition and rely on estimation of numbers of returning adult salmon from counters and catches. The conservation limits approach uses rod catches from the most recent 5 years to using a run reconstruction model. This value is then used to estimate egg deposition which is compared to the estimated egg requirement in order to assess the probability that the stock will equal or exceed its CL in each year (attainment of CL). River are then graded 1 – 3 and local management actions applied as detailed below.

Grade 1 At least an 80% mean probability of CL being met in the last 5 years.

Advice provided to the District Salmon Fishery Board indicating that exploitation is sustainable therefore no additional management action is currently required. This recognises the effectiveness of existing non-statutory local management although a Conservation plan for the future must be prepared.

The River Findhorn falls into this category.

Grade 2 60-80% mean probability of CL being met in the last 5 years.

Management action is necessary to reduce exploitation though mandatory catch and release will not be required in the first instance, but this will be reviewed annually. Production of a conservation plan is required in consultation with Marine Scotland.

The River Nairn falls into this category.

Grade 3 Less than 60% mean probability of CL being met in the last 5 years.

Exploitation is unsustainable and mandatory catch and release (all methods) for 1 year will be required. Management action is necessary to reduce exploitation and production of a conservation plan is required in consultation with Marine Scotland.

The River Lossie falls into this category.

The respective Boards and angling associations on each of the three rivers have been briefed on these developments. The conservation limits model approach is still at a formative stage and Marine Science Scotland and Trust biologists will be establish a series of working groups in 2016 to further develop and improve the approach.

8 River Superintendents Report

Fishing Season 2015

On February 11th 2015 Forres Angling Association held their opening ceremony at the Stoney Pool and this year the toast was given by Andrew Graham Stewart (Photo 1). Mr Graham Stewart, who writes for Trout & Salmon, also gave a talk about the new conservation code for the season. The ceremony was well attended with all anglers looking forward to a fruitful season.

Photo 1: Members of the Forres Angling Association watch as Andrew Graham Stewart opens the 2015 Findhorn fishing season with a dram of Ben Romach (photo Sean Maclean).

The first fresh run fish of the season, weighing 18lbs was caught in February, this early success carried on throughout the spring, lower and middle beats had good numbers of fresh fish. Summer salmon and grilse came in good numbers and by August fish were in all beats of the river, we had some decent water levels at times this year and that improved the number of fish entering the river, the end of year returns as you will see, show an improvement on the overall catch and returns, we are over 80% return rate and urge all anglers to continue with their support by adhering to the conservation code.

Poaching Control

With a new team of bailiffs this year we were conscious of the fact that we might get some old poachers back on the scene, we kept a high profile on the river and coast to deter any

9 possible activity, with plenty night patrols, we were seen from Forres Association to Cawdor on a regular basis, that itself proved to be a beneficial exercise in deterring poachers, we received several call outs and moved a number of holiday makers in the summer months with small spinning rods, most of them were up at as it’s a popular picnic destination, we are also in contact with the River Nairn Bailiff, Alistair Skinner on a day to day basis, Alistair organized a coastal patrol from Marine Scotland this year and we have jointly patrolled the River Findhorn and River Nairn.

We also help to patrol the River Lossie, on a Sunday patrol we stopped and questioned a fisherman in the mouth of the river as he was fishing illegally, the police were called and he was arrested and charged with a number of offences. We were summoned to appear at Elgin Sheriff Court in February 2016 to give evidence as witnesses. The trial resulted in a conviction for fishing for salmon on a Sunday and a Section 38 for abusive and aggressive behaviour towards the Police resulting in a fine of £300 for the angler.

In October Wild Life Cameras were purchased to assist with surveillance and monitoring wildlife such as mink along the river. We have been getting used to the new Wild Life Cameras over the winter and will be using them in 2016. They will be used for surveillance on mink rafts/traps, sawbill and seal monitoring along with poaching problems.

Predation Monitoring and Control

Seals

The Moray Firth Seal Management Plan is still on-going and is carried out over the year, with a restricted area due to the new protected haul out site, we are finding it challenging to carry out this duty and to minimize predation.

Photo 2: Seals resting on the haul out site at the mouth of Findhorn Bay (photo Sean Maclean).

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Sawbill Ducks

Goosander and Red Breasted Merganser counts were carried out during the year and figures were given to the Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trust, the bailiffs and public also reported sightings along with pictures of sawbills to the Trust which also helped to secure a license, the Sawbill License issued and actioned in spring 2016 when these ducks are likely to have the most effect on the smolt migration.

Other Work and Projects

We continue to work closely with the trust, this year we have helped out with spraying Giant Hogweed, electro fishing surveys, American Mink trapping and water sampling. We also helped to organize the highly successful Extreme Duck Race and Fund Raising Day at Logie Steading. We also assisted Marcus Walters (Moray Firth Trout Initiative) with sweep netted in Findhorn Bay this year to find out what kind of fish species were present within Bay. Netting was carried out at low and high tide on three occasions with a range of fish species such as flounder, plaice, sand eels, sea trout, salmon smolts, 15-spined-sticklebacks and scorpion fish among others being captured. We both attended a Sweep netting and Fish Identification course in the Long Room at Logie Estate.

As this year comes to an end, I would like to thank all volunteers, estate proprietors and keepers for their assistance and continued support given through-out the year, I give special thanks to Binsness Estate as they were kind enough to assist us with a boat, engine & fuel when we netted the bay with the Trust and when we did our practical on the Fish Identification course. Thanks also to the Assistant Bailiff Billy Forrester for his support and River Bailiff Alistair Skinner from the Nairn.

Sean Mclean, River Superintendent, Mobile 07920483081

11 Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trust Report 2015

The Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trust promote sustainable management of river resources and fish populations through research, restoration and education. To achieve this, the Trust works closely with the District Salmon Fishery Board for each river, and other relevant organisations. A charity and company limited by guarantee, the Trust relies on grants, donations and fundraising to implement projects.

A key element of the Trust’s work is in implementing the Fishery Management Plans (FMP) for each river. These describe the current state of each river and fishery, describe current issues and identify and prioritise actions needed to improve the rivers and fisheries. The plans were developed using funding from Scottish Government and the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts Scotland (RAFTS) and copies can be downloaded from http://www.fnlft.org.uk/projects/.

The Trust reviews the FMPs each year. Based on this review, progress made in the most recent year, and emerging issues, the Trust chooses projects to focus on in the next year. The Trust’s first FMPs were written in 2010; thus much of the work to be done involves finding out more about the status of the rivers and the salmon, sea trout and other native fish populations.

This reports details activities carried out on the River Findhorn during 2015 and where this relates to the fisheries management plan is shown in brackets. Further details of the work of the Trust on the Nairn and Lossie can be found on www.fnlft.org.uk.

Juvenile Salmon and Trout Stock Assessment (FMP3.1)

Electrofishing surveys relating to wind farm developments were carried out during 2015 on the Berry Burn and Moy developments. The number of electrofishing sites planned and completed is shown in Table 1.

Location Planned Depletion Completed Depletion Timed EF Sites EF Sites EF Sites

Berry Burn WF 10 10

Moy WF 3 3 5

Total 13 13 5

Table 2: Electrofishing sites completed under contract on the River Findhorn during 2015.

12 Adult Salmon and Trout Scale Collection (FMP2.1)

Basic data from salmon and trout catches is an important component to managing a river. Catch data is routinely collected for the Findhorn but data from scales, weight, sex ratio, fishing effort etc. is often absent. Scales in particular provide an important insight into the age structure of the fish population and its growth rate. In time this can also provide an insight in changes in run time and growth within the river and/or the sea perhaps reflecting changes in ocean or climate conditions.

Scale collection started in 2013 and continued in 2015 with a further 70 scale samples submitted from the Findhorn. Scales have been submitted from a wider range of locations than in previous years (Table 2) and we are very grateful to all those anglers who took the time to collect them. Initial readings have been completed and we are checking the data with the help of Iain Maclaren and a report will be available on the web site shortly and circulated to anglers.

Findhorn Location Number of Scale Samples

Forres AA 6

Darnaway 13

Lethen 50

Glenferness 1

Total 70 Table 3: Findhorn scale samples 2015.

Invasive Non-Native Plant Control (FMP4.2)

Control of non-native plants continued in 2015, Funding was reduced in 2014 so control concentrated on repeating spraying the areas tackled in previous years as well as tackling the upper limits of the Giant Hogweed infestations near Daltulich Bridge. This was tackled in June (Photos 3 and 4) with a further repeat visit in July. The treatments were successful with no plants flowering or producing seeds this season.

Downstream from Daltulich the Findhorn enters a spectacular gorge section and although this offers inhospitable habitat for giant hogweed some plants are present. To address this local

13 white water rafting specialists “Ace Adventure” supplied a raft and experienced staff to guide FNLFT director downstream to treat the plants (Photo 5). Approximately 30 plants were found and treated using stem injection proving the rafting approach is a worthwhile technique to control hogweed in this very difficult area.

Findhorn bailiffs, Sean Maclean and Billy Forester and volunteer Karen Muller continued treatments at Mundole Farm and around the Stoney Pool with the tremendous support from Jenny Davidson (Mundole Farm) and local contractor Angus Dickson, commissioned by Dalvey Estate and good progress is being made. Forres AA river watcher Steve Pannel also worked tirelessly throughout the season to maintain paths and control of hogweed and knotweed throughout the Forres AA beat.

We have also developed a close working relationship with “Wild Things”, a local environment education group based in Findhorn and combined efforts to treat Giant hogweed downstream from the A96 particularly around the Waterford recycling centre.

Surveys efforts were reduced during 2015 but a new technique was trialled using drones to conduct aerial photo surveys. The approach was tested with Culloden based company ROAVR. Pilot Matt Harmsworth conducted three trial flights along the lower Mosset, Waterford area and Stoney Pool on the Findhorn. The approach proved that good quality images (Photo 6) on the extent of giant hogweed could be collected more quickly than the more usual walk survey approach. We are currently looking into funding for extending the approach to fully cover the Findhorn and other rivers in the Trust area.

Local volunteers from Forres continued to meet on Monday nights to tackle the giant hogweed along the Mosset and Rafford Burns. This season the Mosset Burn was again treated from Rafford and Altyre to the Mill of Grange Bridge below the Ben Romach Distillery. Further funding through the Forres Common Good fund allowed a more Round-up to be purchased and this will also allow treatments to continue in 2016. Additional volunteers are always welcome, training will be provided, please contact the office 0309 611220.

The dense infestations will take many further years of control before they are reduced to a manageable level. The current funding through SEPA WEF Directive has allowed a good start but this concluded in 2015 and we are pursuing other funding sources including Land Fill Tax, Community Funds and the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI) a Heritage Lottery project developed through the Rivers and Fisheries Trust Scotland (RAFTS) to continue the control efforts.

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Photo 3: Giant Hogweed downstream from Daltulich Bridge prior to treatment in 4th June 2015.

Photo 4: Giant Hogweed downstream from Daltulich Bridge three weeks after treatment on 30th June 2015.

15 Photo 5: White water rafting to access Giant Hogweed within the more inaccessible reaches of the Findhorn proved a highly successful approach in 2015.

Photo 6: Aerial image collected during drone survey of the Waterford recycling centre during 16th July 2015. Dense infestations of giant hogweed are present in the foreground.

16 Mink Control (FMP4.1)

Mink control on the Findhorn and Lossie was co-ordinated by Findhorn bailiff, Sean McLean, while Nairn bailiff, Alastair Skinner looks after the Nairn. Both have maintained a network of local volunteers to operate floating rafts and traps. Sightings and captures were low during 2015 with only one mink captured on the Findhorn area in 2015 at Altyre.

Table 3 provides a summary of captures for the Findhorn Nairn and Lossie. Recent captures have been mostly from the coast near Covesea and the Spynie area. Funding was provided by Scottish Natural Heritage and sadly concluded in September 2015. However, through the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI) mentioned earlier the control of mink will re- commence from 2017.

However, should you spot a mink please contact the FNLFT office 01309 611220, Sean McLean 07920483081, or Alastair Skinner 07825554808 or report the sighting online through the online MinkApp.

Table 3: Mink captures for the Findhorn Nairn and Lossie from 2012 to 2015.

Captures Findhorn Lossie Nairn

2012 1 4 1

2013 7 2 0

2014 1 4 0

2015 1 4 0

Sawbill Duck and Seal Management (FMP4.1)

Concern remains high among anglers regarding the numbers of seals (Photo 2) observed around Findhorn Bay and along the coast. The Findhorn remains part of the Moray Firth Seal Management Plan and a licence is granted each year to control a small number of seals which migrate into the river and directly affect fish stocks. Data on the size of the populations is essential in any management and regular counts of these seals colonies were conducted during 2015.

Sawbill ducks (goosanders, mergansers) and cormorants can also affect juvenile and smolt stocks. Again data on the population size of these birds was collected throughout the year although counts were hampered by spate conditions in October. Counts were carried out by

17 walking the various beats and I am very grateful to all the estate staff and keepers who joined the bailiffs to complete the counts.

A joint licence application with our neighbouring Moray Firth coast rivers, for control of these birds during the smolt run in spring was been submitted by Roger Knight from the and was successful. Further details of the licence will be issued in spring 2016.

Wind Farm Monitoring (FMP1.3)

Berry Burn Wind Farm Monitoring Plan

Construction of the wind farm site was completed in October 2013 and water monitoring was continued into 2015 during the post construction period with weekly samples collected from the Berry Burn and the comparison burn, the Ourack. Data on turbidity and other environmental factors (temperature etc.) are also collected routinely and analysed by Ian Malcolm and his team at the MSS Freshwater Laboratory, Pitlochry. Invertebrate samples were collected by Chas Emes, Aquaterra Ltd. Juvenile fish surveys were completed at all ten electro- fishing sites during September 2015 and results indicate good fish densities although slightly lower than in previous years perhaps due to the large spate in August 2014, although further analysis is required. This monitoring programme will conclude in March 2016 and then a full analysis of the data will be conducted.

Other Wind Farm Developments

Several other wind farms are also being considered or under development within the Findhorn catchment including Tom nan Clach, Cairn Duhie, Kylachie, Moy, Glaschyle and Ourack, throughout 2015 the FNLFT has continued to provide comments on their planning applications, collect baseline data and provide advice to ensure water quality and fish populations are not harmed by these developments.

Moray Firth Trout Initiative (FMP2.1)

One of the key aims of the Moray Firth Trout Initiative (MFTI) is to improve our understanding of the brown trout populations that exist in the plentiful Lochs within the Moray Firth Catchment. Using local volunteer anglers to catch the trout on rod and line we are able to engage the project with the local angling community and help raise awareness of trout biology and conservation. Scale sampling continued with local anglers provide samples form sea and brown trout for analysis.

18 During 2015 the project also explored a number of estuaries around the Moray Firth to examine the growth and condition of sea trout smolts as they entered the marine environment and also to gain information on other fish and animals present which may provide food for the migrating sea trout. Sweep netting was used as the main sampling method and three netting exercises were completed with Findhorn Bay including a Fish Identification and Sweep Net training course (Photo 7).

Photo 7: Trust biologists, bailiffs and SEPA biologists undergoing sweep net training course in Findhorn Bay in September 2015.

Sea trout (Photo 8) and salmon smolts were captured and the netting provided a range of other fish species including flounder, plaice, goby, blenny, 15-spined stickleback, sand eels (Photo 9) among others. Large quantities of shrimp (Crangon sp) were also caught indicating the Bay contained a good range of food species for post smolts. Further netting is planned for 2016 and volunteers are always welcome.

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Photo 8: Marcus Walters (MFTI Project Office) with a fine finnock caught during sweep netting at Findhorn Bay during May 2015.

Photo 9: Sand eels galore! An important food source for sea trout and other fish, sand eels were caught regularly during sweep netting in Findhorn Bay 2015.

20 Publicity (FMP7.1)

The Trust produce regular newsletters and updates on activities can also be found on our web site www.fnlft.org.uk.

The highlight of the year was the River Festival and Extreme Duck Race held at Logie Steading during September 2015 (Photos 10 and 11). Members of the public enjoyed a range of stands featuring local environmental organisations connected with the river. The event was a great success and we are very grateful for the support from all the participants, volunteer helpers, Ace Adventure and to Logie Estate for hosting the day. We would also like to thank all those who sponsored a duck and to all the companies who very generously donated prizes.

Photo 10: The Kellas Super Duck on its way down the Findhorn to claim first prize in the Extreme Duck Race.

Figure 11: FNLFT Director Bob Laughton presents the prizes! From the left: James Symonds - Guess the Weight of the Salmon Over 18s; Zac Middlemass – Guess the Weight of the Salmon Under 18s; Margaret Wickham- first small duck to finish!

21 Acknowledgements

I am particularly grateful to Valerie Wardlaw, Seymour Monro and the steering committee for all their encouragement and help during the past year.

The FNLFT are extremely grateful for the continuing support of the Findhorn DSFB, Forres AA, Logie Estate, RAFTS, ASFB, and the MSS Freshwater Lab, SFCC, and the Moray Firth Trout Initiative.

Thanks also to Sean Maclean (FDSFB), Billy Forrester (FDSFB), Ali Skinner (NDSFB), Fraser Laughton, Karen Muller (UHI) and Jamie Piper for their assistance in electro fishing and with other projects. Thanks also to Pauline Proudlock (MSS), Denise Sterling (MSS), Alastair McCartney (MSS), Karen Millidine (MSS) and Ian Malcolm (MSS) with water sample collection and analysis. Thanks to Chas Emes (Aquaterra) for invertebrate collection and analysis.

I am extremely grateful to Ian Suttie, Ian Maclennan, Campbell Ross, Pat Carroll, Angus Dickson, Jenny Davidson and many others for their considerable help with the treatment of Giant Hogweed and Japanese knotweed. Thanks also to all the volunteers who look after mink rafts and traps.

Thanks also to all the proprietors and anglers who have generously donated to the Trust and, in particular, Ewen Brodie and Julie Balgowie for their fundraising efforts.

22 Appendix 1: River Findhorn Catch Data 2000-2015

CONSOLIDATION 2015

OVER A LL SALMON SALMON GRILSE GRILSE P ER C EN T S TROUT S TROUT RETAINED RELEASED RELEASED RETAINED RELEASED RELEASED RELEASED RETAINED RELEASED RELEASED LOCATION No No % No No % % No No % Coignafearn 2 0 0% 0 0 #DIV/0! 0% 0 0 #DIV/0! Daltomich 2 1 33% 0 0 #DIV/0! 33% 0 0 #DIV/0! Glenmazeran 0 1 100% 0 0 #DIV/0! 100% 0 0 #DIV/0! Dalmigavie 0 2 100% 2 2 50% 67% 0 0 #DIV/0! East Clune 2 6 75% 0 6 100% 86% 0 0 #DIV/0! Glen Kirk 1 18 95% 0 8 100% 96% 0 0 #DIV/0! Strathdearn (Banchor) 6 25 81% 3 4 57% 76% 0 2 100% Dalmigarry (Morlie & Corrievorrie) 0 11 100% 5 13 72% 83% 0 0 #DIV/0! Glen Kyllachy 1 10 91% 0 0 #DIV/0! 91% 0 1 100% Findhorn Bridge(Old Clune) 2 9 82% 2 0 0% 69% 0 0 #DIV/0! Kyllachy 0 25 100% 1 2 67% 96% 0 0 #DIV/0! Corrybrough 0 2 100% 1 0 0% 67% 0 0 #DIV/0! 3 17 85% 3 14 82% 84% 0 3 100% Balnespick 0 0 #DIV/0! 0 0 #DIV/0! #DIV/0! 0 0 #DIV/0! Moy ( Upper) 10 16 62% 4 11 73% 66% 0 0 #DIV/0! Moy ( Pollochaig) 13 47 78% 0 14 100% 82% 0 0 #DIV/0! Drynachan 41 199 83% 34 155 82% 83% 1 6 86% Banchor 5 23 82% 4 16 80% 81% 0 1 100% Lethen 17 262 94% 19 157 89% 92% 1 8 89% Glenferness 21 123 85% 33 103 76% 81% 0 6 100% Coulmony 3 14 82% 4 7 64% 75% 0 0 #DIV/0! Logie 4 26 87% 5 13 72% 81% 0 0 #DIV/0! Dunphail 0 0 #DIV/0! 0 0 #DIV/0! #DIV/0! 0 0 #DIV/0! Moray Estates 19 149 89% 36 91 72% 81% 0 29 100% Altyre Estate 0 42 100% 3 48 94% 97% 0 26 100% Forres AA 24 39 62% 81 149 65% 64% 27 57 68% TOTAL 176 1067 86% 240 813 77% 82% 29 139 83%

Salmon & Grilse 2015 2296

Note: Monthly catch data is also available on the web site www.fnlft.org.uk.

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River Findhorn Spring Salmon Retained / Released 11 February - 30 April 2000 - 2015 350

300

250

200 211 113 55 150 15 13 3 63 100 104 156 167 120 50 112 110 6 91 93 45 99 88 70 81 130 46 42 33 35 29 26 32 89

0 15 0

2007 2015 2020 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2016 2017 2018 2019

24 River Findhorn Spring Salmon Retained / Released May - September 2000 - 2015 2000

1800

1600

1400

1200 1275 1000 1054 800 612 605 1033

600 377 898 940 326 431 9481309 400 810 967 723 711 529 534 536 978 200 455 414 487 456 550 324 342 373 285 221 125 176

0

2010 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Grilse Retained / Released May - September 2000 - 2015 2000

1800

1600

1400 1449 1200 367 1000 319 328 1000 493 949 393 855 800 725 600 574 813 1061 214 981 917 400 802 686 743 322 337 555 451 526 495 297 200 347 314 240 194 159 119

0

2006 2018 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2019 2020 2000

25 Sea Trout Retained / Released February - September 2000 - 2015 400 23 350 39 300 65 250

200 346 55 150 306 268 25 84 100 58 146 78 70 50 102 61 75 70 139 91 82 54 50 74 28 28 36 26 32 29

0 22 14 12

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2000

26