Education, training and awareness raising are key aspects of the work of GFT. We work with all ages on a range of programmes.
In 1991 GFT designed the award winning project "Salmon In The Classroom" which has since rolled out across much of Scotland. Participating schools have a visit from a biologist who gives an informative talk about salmon, rivers and the work of the Trust. They are given a specialised classroom hatchery tank with 100 eyed salmon eggs. The children rear these eggs until returning them as unfed fry to their natal river. Later in the year GFT staff and the children return to the release site and watch GFT carry out electrofishing to recapture 'their' fish and to study the fish populations present. If local schools are interested to get involved in our work then we try to accommodate them and design new project ideas.
GFT runs various training programmes. On behalf of the Scottish Fisheries Co-ordination Centre (SFCC) GFT staff deliver training courses on both Introductory and Team Leader Electrofishing annually.
GFT staff give talks and presentations to a wide range of audiences including angling clubs, District Salmon Fishery Boards, wildlife groups, rotary clubs, etc. We also attend and provide informative displays at a number of local agricultural shows and community events.
Focussed seminars, toolbox talks and workshops can be organised by GFT. Past examples include awareness raising of the threats of Gyrodactylus salaris and understanding the importance of considering genetics when planning stocking programmes.
An education programme is being delivered by GFT in local schools as part of the Scottish Solway INNS Control and Knowledge Project. This included working with local artist Helen Ryman to produce an illistrated childrens book about invasive species.
GFT also provides various opportunities for volunteers to undertake training, to improve their skills and learn about our work. Volunteer training events are regularly held and individuals can come along and help with many aspects of field work. More formal training opportunities are provided by the Trust through internships - these give wonderful opportunities for post graduates to develop their career.
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.
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.
A summary of the 2018 timed electrofishing surveys for the Urr are provided. These surveys target salmon fry and provide information on annual fluctuations and distribution across 12 sites spread over the catchment.
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