The Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust oversees conservation work on several rivers. It employs five people led by Director Keith Williams. In 2022, the Trust appointed Sean Dugan as the officer for the new Kyle Riverwoods project to address rising river temperatures. In conjunction with SSE, the Trust trapped over 7,000 salmon smolts on the Shin River to transport below dams. Electrofishing surveys found high adult salmon counts at one dam. Trust biologists also participated in a tracking project that found surprising results about smolt survival in Loch Ailsh. Priorities for 2023 include further developing tree planting through the Kyle Riverwoods project and improving smolt trap efficiency on the Shin River.

1. Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust
Five main people undertake work for the
Trust, plus fishery board bailiffs:
Keith Williams – Director
Jacqui Hamblin – Administrator
Leanne Munro – Biologist
Sean Dugan – Climate Resilience &
Habitats Officer
Ross Gollan – Seasonal Assistant
The Trust works closely with the Kyle DSFB
and there is some overlap in staff roles.

2. Highlights of 2022
Kyle Riverwoods project was developed and
Sean Dugan appointed as project officer in April.
The project is a response to the risk maps
produced by the SRTMN project which
highlighted that thermal issues are likely to
increasingly impact on Kyle rivers.

3. In conjunction with SSE, mitigation work in the
form of smolt trapping on the Shin catchment
continued. In excess of 7,000 smolts were
captured and transported to be released
downstream of the dams. Adult fish counts at
Shin Diversion Dam were around 370 which is
the highest for many decades. Extensive
electrofishing was undertaken on the Tirry and
Fiag.

4. We were again part of the AST Moray Firth
Tracking Project. The focus was on the upper
reaches of the Oykel catchment, and in particular
the survival of smolts across Loch Ailsh. Both
salmon smolts and brown trout were tagged.
Preliminary results are somewhat surprising!

5. A BCF funded project aimed at improving pearl
mussel habitat on the River Shin downstream
of large dams was undertaken in the autumn of
2022. This included introducing gravel and
woody structures into the river. Other projects
included mink monitoring, adult salmon
tracking and sampling and taking part in a
youth angling day.

6. 2. Work with SSE to improve smolt trap
efficiency and facilitate continuing
restoration of salmon populations.
1. Continue to develop the Kyle Riverwoods
project. Trees expected to go into the
ground this spring. Tree nursery project
likely to proceed this year. Advocacy role
with local estates to be expanded.
Priorities for 2023
3. Undertake artificial pearl mussel
encystment on the River Shin.