SFCC Biologists' Meeting - Spey Update 2024.pptx

Presentation at the annual SFCC biologist's conference in 2024.

1. Spey Fishery Board Roger Knight: Director Jimmy Woods: Hatchery Manager Steve Burns: Assistant Biologist Pru Jowett: Administrator Duncan Ferguson: Operations Manager Richard Whyte: Head Bailiff Paul Hughes: Marketing Director Atticus Albright: Head Biologist

2. Achievements in 2023 2. Pilot year of mark-recapture study above Spey Dam 3. Trap and transport trial at Loch Insh 1. Conducted NEPS and other electrofishing surveys

3. 2023 Electrofishing 1. Conducted surveys for NEPS, mainstem surveys, stocking sites and tributaries 2. Fry results below average but parr very encouraging

4. Pilot Study at Spey Dam 1. Worked with GFG to assess smolt passage through Spey reservoir  2. Initial results interesting but methodological issues 3. More concrete results expected in 2024

5. Trap and Transport Trial 1. Repeated AST's methodology for the MSP 2. Loch Insh  is a consistent issue, transportation had minimal effect 3. Could be refined with automated release box but limited by capacity

6. Notable Issues in 2023 1. Numerous non-native fish found to have become established in the catchment 2. Fish kill due to a suspected water quality incident

7. 2. Conduct a telemetric study of smolt passage above Spey dam 1. Begin a smolt to adult supplementation pilot project 3. Perch control and Arctic Charr conservation  Looking to 2024 4. Water Quality is of utmost priority 5. Investigate status of coastal burns