Galloway Fisheries Trust RSS News Feed

Annan Riparian Restoration Network

Jamie Ribbens — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 21:39:10 +0000

GFT has been successful in securing funding from the FIRNS scheme to develop a large-scale habitat restoration project for the River Annan catchment.

Improving fish passage and river flow below Tongland Dam

Jamie Ribbens — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 22:19:46 +0000

Kirkcowan Fishing Competition

Jamie Ribbens — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 12:26:06 +0000

On Saturday 26th August we held our annual Kirkcowan Fishing Competition. 35 adults and 12 juniors entered the competition this year, providing a fund of £211 that is put back into the event via prizes and a buffet.

Its insect week!

Jamie Ribbens — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 16:54:21 +0000

Riparian zones bridge the gap between land and river, creating an important habitat for insects while also providing shade and protection against erosion. We do a lot of habitat work mainly to help aquatic species like fish, but we are keen to monitor and understand the wider biodiversity benefits.

Alyx's third intern blog

Jamie Ribbens — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 13:41:58 +0000

Please Vote!

Jamie Ribbens — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 20:29:59 +0000

Intern Alyx's blog

Jamie Ribbens — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 22:24:22 +0000

Intern Alyx's blog

Jamie Ribbens — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 23:22:16 +0000

Final trainee blog

Jamie Ribbens — Tue, 31 May 2022 12:31:37 +0000

'Working with Rivers' trainee blog

Jamie Ribbens — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 14:49:00 +0000

Victoria recently joined GFT for 3 months as a 'Working with Rivers' trainee. Hear what she has been doing in her blog

Another GFT Intern Signing Off

Jamie Ribbens — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 09:02:51 +0000

As my internship with the Galloway Fisheries Trust draws to a close, I would like to say how grateful I am to everyone that made it possible.

Dans Third and Fourth Month as the GFT Intern

Jamie Ribbens — Sun, 07 Nov 2021 10:53:35 +0000

As December is right around the corner, I am sad to say that my internship here at GFT is nearly over. However, I am grateful for my experiences at the trust and there is still plenty for me to get up to before it does come to a close.

Exciting discovery in the Polmaddy Burn

Jamie Ribbens — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 14:56:59 +0000

GFT record first juvenile salmon within the Polmaddy Burn in over 25 years of juvenile fish data collection on the Kirkcudbrightshire Dee

Dan's second month as the GFT intern

Jamie Ribbens — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 19:24:36 +0000

Hello, Dan here again. Since my last blog I have been getting involved with a number of new things such as crayfish surveys, leading volunteers on habitat restoration works and helping to supervise works on the Black Water of Dee.

GFT new intern blog- by Dan Pollard

Jamie Ribbens — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 21:18:23 +0000

Fisheries intern signing off

Jamie Ribbens — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 12:25:45 +0000

Fisheries internship New Year update

Jamie Ribbens — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 09:39:32 +0000

Happy New Year! Fisheries intern Abbie here again to give you an update on what I have been doing with GFT over the last few months.

The Spring Sparling Project 2020

Jamie Ribbens — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:02:14 +0000

This sparling themed community engagement and education drive project, supported by the Co-op local community fund, has been a sucess this spring (even though the sparling eluded us).

The Search for Sparling Update

Jamie Ribbens — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 11:54:57 +0000

GFT creates a Galloway Rivers Standard for Timed Electrofishing

Jamie Ribbens — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 14:04:37 +0000

Searching and Celebrating Sparling this Spring

Jamie Ribbens — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 09:28:21 +0000

It is that time of year again where GFT begin our search or the sparling during their annual spring migration to the upper tidal limit of the River Cree. This year we hope to run several events on the banks of the River Cree to celebrate sparling!

Bladnoch Hatchery Update

Jamie Ribbens — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 12:07:20 +0000

The GFT and Bladnoch DSFB are running a hatchery programme this year to stock the upper Tarf to help ameliorate acidification problems and help recover salmon stocks in key areas.

Opening of Sparling Bridge marks the end of the Saving the Sparling Project

Jamie Ribbens — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 16:22:17 +0000

The long awaited Sparling Bridge successfully opened on Saturday 30th November. Crowds gathered either side of the bridge on the sunny afternoon to celebrate the grand opening of the new pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting the communities of Minnigaff and Newton Stewart.

New Inner Solway Marine Conservation Zone Designated to Protect Smelt

Jamie Ribbens — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 11:30:15 +0000

The Galloway Fisheries Trust is working with Natural England to produce a detailed Smelt Restoration Management Plan for the inner Solway Firth, to be the framework for European smelt (sparling) recovery in designated Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) around England and Wales.

Another successful GFT Dinner Auction!

Jamie Ribbens — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 15:36:38 +0000

GFT Dinner Auction 2019

Jamie Ribbens — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 09:36:04 +0000

Salmon bonanza at this year's Kirkcowan Fishing Competition

Jamie Ribbens — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 16:25:58 +0000

Bladnoch Smolt Run Report 2019

Jamie Ribbens — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 14:03:38 +0000

Each spring a fyke net is secured over the inflow to Torhouse Trout Farm which catches any smolts entering from the main stem.

Sticklebacks returned to Buittle Reservoir

Jamie Ribbens — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 10:29:33 +0000

Impacts of acidification on Brown trout populations in Southwest Scotland

Jamie Ribbens — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 09:14:34 +0000

A paper just published in the leading peer-reviewed Journal of Fish Biology looks at the current numbers and genetic diversity of Brown trout populations in Southwest Scotland.

Celebrating World Ocean Day

Jamie Ribbens — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 14:18:07 +0000

To celebrate our river and oceans the GFT team joined other conservation organisations for a World Oceans Day extravaganza held in Port Williams harbour!

Learning on the River Dee with Kells Primary School!

Jamie Ribbens — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 12:25:50 +0000

On Friday morning Jess, our Prioritised Salmon Habitat Restoration Officer, was joined along the banks of the River Dee by the enthusiastic pupils of Kells Primary School. This term the pupils of Kells Primary are learning all about Scottish nature.

GFT Training Events

Jamie Ribbens — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 15:36:55 +0000

Creating a new wild path along the River Fleet

Jamie Ribbens — Fri, 31 May 2019 10:14:28 +0000

NSA volunteers have been working hard helping the GFT to create a more accessible wild walk along the banks of the River Fleet.

BBC Antiques Roadtrip come to Tongland!

Jamie Ribbens — Wed, 29 May 2019 17:13:09 +0000

The 2019 Dinner Auction

Jamie Ribbens — Thu, 23 May 2019 10:58:11 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are excited to announce that on the 31st of August this year we are holding a dinner auction at Loch Inch Castle, Castle Kennedy, Stranraer.

'Contact Us' Update

Jamie Ribbens — Fri, 17 May 2019 11:19:49 +0000

Completion of the Saving the Sparling Project - phase 1

Jamie Ribbens — Thu, 09 May 2019 09:26:24 +0000

The two-year project aimed at increasing awareness about sparling has come to an end. The project was designed to be delivered by two interns, the second of which Courtney Rowland reflects on her time on the project.

Distribution of INNS in the Dee Catchment

Jamie Ribbens — Thu, 02 May 2019 15:31:03 +0000

GFT would like to say thank you to everyone that helped us in our plea for information on sightings of American signal crayfish across Galloway.

Smolt sampling on the Bladnoch

Jamie Ribbens — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 14:28:52 +0000

GFT are presently sampling smolts caught in a fyke net at the inflow to Torhouse Fish Farm on the lower River Bladnoch. The fyke net also helps provide data on various other fish species within the Bladnoch catchment.

Temperature loggers downloaded this month

Jamie Ribbens — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 14:42:45 +0000

GFT are currently in the process of downloading data from temperature loggers which are in 20 sites across the river Bladnoch. The data gets downloaded twice a year; once in April and once in October.

The New Sparling Model Has Arrived!

Jamie Ribbens — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 09:25:50 +0000

GFT commissioned a Bolton based taxidermist, Phillip Leggett to create a realistic sparling model. This model accurately represents three adult sparling, which grow up to 30cm and are still present in the River Cree.

Fisheries Management Scotland- Annual Report

Jamie Ribbens — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 16:15:16 +0000

Sparling Goes To School

Jamie Ribbens — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:59:59 +0000

This year's Saving the Sparling Project Intern has been continuing with the Sparling Goes to School Project by visiting local primary schools to teach pupils about the amazing Sparling.

Saving the Sparling update by Courtney Rowland

Jamie Ribbens — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 16:57:23 +0000

Courtney is GFT's second Saving the Sparling intern. She has been working towards the arrival of Sparling since she began in December, focusing on education and public engagement. Sparling arrived in the Cree around the 22nd of February. This news story is Courtney's update on how it all went.

Can you help please!

Jamie Ribbens — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 14:47:29 +0000

GFT are presently investigating the distribution of North American Signal Crayfish across Galloway and are interested in hearing reports of any recent sightings.

Talking tunnels and turbines in the hazy February sunshine

Jamie Ribbens — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 09:10:51 +0000

Two schools were able to make the most of the unseasonably warm weather upon Tongland Dam during their visits to the Galloway Hydro Scheme this week

The Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2019

Jamie Ribbens — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 10:19:27 +0000

Last week the Scottish Ministers laid regulations in the Scottish Parliament setting out the provisions to regulate killing salmon in Scottish waters for the 2019 fishing season.

11th February Meeting

Jamie Ribbens — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 10:57:14 +0000

Each spring the GFT organises an afternoon of presentations covering our work over the previous year. The attendees are usually various funders, supporting organisations, key stakeholders and interested parties.

Investigating the prevalence of fungal infected Atlantic salmon at Tongland fish pass.

Jamie Ribbens — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 09:14:49 +0000

During the summer this year, we undertook a project (commissioned by Scottish Power) examining why in some years at Tongland fish pass there are a larger number of returning adult Atlantic salmon which are heavily infected with Saprolegnia fungus, in comparison to other years.