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A project to boost the number of wild salmon in the River Lochy in Lochaber is celebrating positive results at the end of a three-year trial.
The River Lochy Association has been working closely with salmon farmers Marine Harvest Scotland Ltd to restock the river with salmon.
Marine Harvest has been wintering indigenous River Lochy salmon smolts from the Association’s hatchery at its farm in Loch Arkaig before releasing them back into the river. The released fish have their adipose fin clipped for identification purposes and head straight out to sea before returning to the river to breed. Releasing the fish at the smolt stage means they do not compete for food with the fish bred and reared in the river itself.
So far the project has released around 18,000 fish into the wild each year but after encouraging results this is set to increase significantly. Monitoring by the River Lochy Association has shown that the egg deposition in the river has increased by an estimated 1 million per annum over the trial.
In addition an extra 400 spawning salmon have returned each year and the rod catch in the River Lochy has risen by over 10%. Both 1sw grilse and 2sw salmon have returned in superb condition, with fish of up to 20lbs in weight caught in 2011.
Jon Gibb, Hatchery and Restoration Manager at the River Lochy Association, said: “Our project with Marine Harvest is one of the most forward thinking and positive currently taking place in the wild/farmed arena in Scotland. I have watched the aquaculture industry develop over the years and I believe the time has come for the industry and wild salmon interests to work more closely together on collaborative projects such as this.
“We are delighted with the results of the trial so far. Some really excellent fish were caught by visitors and locals this year which is hugely beneficial to the area. Not only do we have 200 visiting anglers fishing the River Lochy every year but we also have 250 local people fishing the river too. They are all hugely supportive of the project and are very excited about the next phase.”
As part of the project the River Lochy Association’s hatchery near Glenfinnan has also been expanded and the fish are given a sea lice treatment sponsored by project partners MSD Animal Health before being released into the wild.
Ben Hadfield, Marine Harvest Scotland Production Manager, said: “This is a truly innovative project which brings together the skills and knowledge of both the wild fish and fish farming sectors.
“It is a great example of how both interests can not only exist but thrive side by side and we are greatly looking forward to progressing the project.”
Marine Harvest Scotland is also involved in a project to restock the River Shiel in collaboration with the river’s owners.
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