Ness District Salmon Fishery Board's study of wild Atlantic salmon in the River Ness aims to get numbers flowing – it will identify threats to the fish and suggest ways to counter decline in numbers and has been funded by the Ness and Beauly Fisheries Trust
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A blueprint pinpointing potential threats to wild Atlantic salmon in the River Ness and suggesting ways to counter a decline in fish numbers is to be launched soon.
Ness District Salmon Fishery Board will deliver the findings of its investigations next month into what practical steps can be taken to protect the priority species.
Director Chris Conroy said: “The River Ness is renowned for its clean water, natural beauty and quality of its fishing, which attracts anglers from throughout the world, generates inward income and sustains hundreds of jobs. But Atlantic salmon catches have declined across their native range.
“Climate change is believed to be a key factor, along with changes in water and land management practices.
“This milestone study will produce an action plan of measures to restore salmon habitats in the Ness, which have degraded over time.”
The study is funded by the Ness and Beauly Fisheries Trust who have given the Ness Salmon Board a full grant to produce a habitat restoration feasibility study.
“We’re starting with a survey of the physical and ecological condition of the river from Ness Weir downstream to the tidal limit in Inverness, a total of around eight kilometres”, Mr Conroy said.
“This will show us the current state of play in the Ness and what has affected its condition over time.
“It will be followed by a field-based survey, conducted when river levels are low in mid-July, for which we have engaged Inverness-based water environment experts cbec eco-engineering. This survey will assess various factors affecting salmon habitats, including human impact.
“The third tool will be the creation of a series of maps of the river’s present-day physical character. These will support any future habitat enhancement measures.
“Finally, the feasibility report will outline the influence of human pressures on the Ness over time – and identify actions which can improve the natural conditions for fish rearing and production.
Dr Hamish Moir, cbec’s managing director and principal scientist, will lead the field-based survey.
“This is a challenging but fascinating assignment and we’re grateful to the Ness Board for the opportunity to play our part in identifying ways to reduce barriers to fish migration, upstream spawning and juvenile habitat,” he said.
All parts of the Ness restoration strategy are due to be completed by the end of the year.
