The aim of Galloway Fisheries Trust is to restore and maintain aquatic biodiversity, particularly native fish, in Galloway by means of practical, responsible and sustainable approaches to land, water and fishery management, based on sound science, for the benefit of the community as a whole.
Galloway Fisheries Trust is an environmental charity which was set up in 1988 by four local District Salmon Fishery Boards in the South West of Scotland with common problems and aims.
Since then the Trust has expanded and now encompasses a wide range of work which covers most of Dumfries and Galloway's rivers and still waters including the Border Esk.
The core river catchments on which we carry out the majority of our work are: the River Luce, River Bladnoch, River Cree, Water of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire Dee, River Urr, Water of App, Piltanton Burn and the Border Esk.
The aims of our remit are met by undertaking practical works, education initiatives, focussed research projects and delivering key services to member waters and the wider community. Evidence based management underpins this work program. Since 2019 GFT has been completing work on the Annan catchment and providing scientific advice to the Annan DSFB.
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.
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.
GFT are presently investigating the distribution of North American Signal Crayfish across Galloway and are interested in hearing reports of any recent sightings.