FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN SUMMARY REPORT

RIVER YTHAN TRUST FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN SUMMARY REPORT 2010—2012 Upstream of St Johns Wells, Fyvie. Courtesy of Sandy Milne. River Superintendent, ...
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RIVER YTHAN TRUST FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN SUMMARY REPORT 2010—2012

Upstream of St Johns Wells, Fyvie. Courtesy of Sandy Milne. River Superintendent, YDSFB

The River Ythan Trust Funders and Supporters. The River Ythan Ttust acknowledges and thanks the following bodies for their assistance in making possible the significant progress made since the formation of the trust in 2010.

Funders Scottish Government: Via RAFTS in 2010/11/12 for the production of the Fishery Management Plan, Bio-security Plan, and general funding.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency: Via RAFTS in 2011/12 for production of the Bio-security Plan.

Scottish Natural Heritage: Via RAFTS in 2011/12 for production of the Bio-security Plan.

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation: Via RAFTS in 2011/12 for production of the Bio-security Plan.

Aberdeen and District Angling Association: Significant funding in 2010 which has covered 25% of the cost of the River Ythan habitat surveys. Further generous contribution given in October 2012 for future work .

Ythan Community Council: A modest financial contribution in 2010 which is much appreciated.

Supporters Marine Scotland: For provision of comments and suggestions during the consultation phases of the Fishery Management Plan and Bio-security Plan.

Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland: For assistance in matters too numerous to mention, without which the River Ythan Trust would not exist.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage: For provision of comments and suggestions during the consultation phases of the Fishery Management Plan. Ythan District Salmon Fishery Board: For provision of information to assist in the development of the Fishery Management Plan and Bio-security Plan.

The River Ythan Trust was formed in the early months of 2010 by a group of people who live or work in the Aberdeenshire Formartine area, including anglers and others with an interest in the river generally. The Trust is a Registered Scottish Charity (Scottish Charity No SC 041269) registered by OSCr on 12th February 2010. Membership of the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS) confirmed in April 2010.

Objectives: The River Ythan Trust will promote effective management to protect and enhance the fish, fishery, aquatic and riparian habitat, indigenous wildlife and the natural environment of the River Ythan catchment as follows. 



To advance for charitable purposes and public benefit, environmental protection and improvement, by conserving and enhancing all species of freshwater fish and their environments, primarily, but not limited to the inland and coastal waters of the River Ythan Trust area. The education of the public and any association, company, local authority, administrative or governmental agency or public body or representative body in the understanding of aquatic ecosystems, including their fauna, flora and economic or social activity, river catchment management and the need for, and benefits of protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of aquatic and riparian environments.

The River Ythan Trust Area: Situated in the North East of Scotland north of Aberdeen and south of Peterhead, includes the catchments of the River Ythan, Water of Cruden, Slains Burn and a number of small coastal streams. The total area amounts to 769 sq. km. The length of rivers, tributaries and streams is in excess of 450 km.

Fishery Management Planning The RAFTS Fishery Management Planning programme supported by Scottish Government, operated over the years 2008/09 to 2011/12. The River Ythan Trust was formed in time to participate in the last two of years of the programme. (2010/11 and 2011/12.) This Fishery Management Plan Summary Report covers the period from August 2010 to December 2012.

Ythan Fishery Management Plan. As part of a national initiative. Scottish Government funding was received via RAFTS in August 2010 to support the production of a fishery management plan for the River Ythan Trust area. With the assistance of the Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Trust, who were contracted by us for professional expertise, the draft plan was issued for public consultation in early February 2011. The final plan (version 1) was published in April 2011. The Fishery Management Plan, which covers the period 2011-2015, summarises existing knowledge of the catchments and sets out our aspirations and proposed future actions.

Objectives. The objectives for the period 2011-2013 are summarised below. For various reasons including changes in funding resources from public bodies since the publication of the plan in February 2011, mainly due to funding constraints, not all our objectives are going to be met. 1) Habitat surveys of the River Ythan Trust area. (2011/12) 2) Electro fishing surveys. (2011onwards.) 3) Bio-security Plan production. (2011/12) 4) Research the structure of Ythan fish stocks. (2011 onwards.)  Genetic sampling.  Catch returns.  Scale Collection and analysis.

5) Develop obstruction removal programme. (2013 onwards.) 6) Education and public participation. ( Date not defined, dependant on funding.) The Ythan Fishery Management Plan may be viewed on our website: www.riverythantrust.org

River Ythan Trust Bio-Security Plan. One of the targets identified within the Fishery Management Plan was to develop a bio-security plan in 2011/12. The Bio-Security Plan was prepared “in house” and supported with funding and advice via the RAFTS Bio-Security Planning project. Funding was received via RAFTS in August 2011 to commence the production of the plan. The plan was issued for public consultation in December 2011, and the final plan (version 1) published in February 2012. The Bio-Security Plan and Fishery Management Plan are complimentary documents.

Summary and Objectives. The plan summarises the known bio-security issues in the River Ythan Trust area, at February 2012, and also identifies potential bio-security risks to the catchments from invasive non-native species (INNS), fish diseases and parasites not currently present. The objective is to establish a sustainable framework which will prevent, detect, control and eradicate, where possible, aquatic and riparian INNS, fish diseases and parasites.

Some Existing INNS Issues. 

North American Mink.



Giant Hogweed.



Canadian Pondweed.



Rainbow Trout.



Water Crowfoot.



Minnows.



Japanese Knotweed.



Pike.



Himalayan Balsam.



Perch

Some Potential INNS and Parasite Issues. Gyrodactylus salaris. (GS) (Could decimate salmon



Zebra Mussel.

stocks nationwide.)



Asian Clam



North American Signal Crayfish.



Chinese Mitten Crab.



Australian Swamp Stonecrop.



Curly Waterweed.



Killer Shrimp



The River Ythan Trust Bio-Security plan may be viewed on our website: www.riverythantrust.org

Habitat Surveys. Habitat surveys of the Ythan and tributaries (400km) were completed in late summer 2012, 100km by trust volunteers, the remaining 300km being carried out by the Don Trust to whom we contracted the work. Some 50km of the Water of Cruden, Slains Burn and coastal streams will be completed in 2013. Initial assessments indicate diffuse pollution is a significant issue, the numbers of cattle waterings is high, all contravene current SEPA guidelines, and many present difficulties for fish migration. Dredging of small streams is not uncommon with the subsequent destruction of juvenile fish habitat.

The cattle waterings and cattle poaching shown above all produce diffuse pollution in the form of silt and animal faeces. The centre picture also shows a partial obstacle to fish migration.

The cattle crossings shown above produce diffuse pollution and also present obstacles to fish migration.

Our surveys have shown dredging activities that have destroyed fish habitat are not uncommon, some burns several metres wide have been severely damaged.

Habitat Surveys Excessive nutrient levels are evident in several tributaries where filamentous algae and macrophyte density is high. Several man made obstacles to all fish migration have been found, others prevent migration of some species, but not all. Some obstacles present fish migration difficulties in all but exceptionally high water conditions. Debris obstacles or part obstacles to fish migration have built up over time in several of the smaller tributaries.

The pictures show excessive filamentous algal and macrophyte growth. The picture on the right shows a build up of filamentous algae on a cattle watering containment gate, sufficient to create a partial obstruction.

The man made obstacles shown above, because of their flow pattern or head height, almost certainly present migration difficulties for trout, sea trout, and possibly salmon.

Typical debris obstacles or part obstacles that exist throughout the Ythan and tributaries. Some such debris is beneficial for juvenile fish habitat and should be left untouched provided fish migration is not impeded.

Habitat Surveys. All the more common invasive non-native species (INNS) exist in the River Ythan Trust area.

Japanese Knotweed.

Japanese Knotweed.

Himalayan Balsam.

Photo by John McAvoy

Giant Hogweed.

Giant Hogweed.

North American Mink.

The Water Framework Directive and Our Habitat Surveys. The data collected during our surveys is being shared with SEPA to assist them in updating and developing the North East Scotland Area Management Plan and River Basin Management Plan in support of the aims of the Water Framework Directive. Currently SEPA’s objective is to achieve a good overall environmental status for 18 of the 19 river basin water bodies in our trust area by 2021, all by 2027. Our aim is to assist and support where and whenever possible.

North East Area Advisory Group. We attend the SEPA chaired North Area Advisory Group meetings to share and exchange ideas and information with representatives from a wide range of bodies with interests and responsibilities for the water and general environment. All bodies are or will be affected in some way by the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. Bodies represented at these meetings include: SEPA. SNH. Scottish Water. RSPB. Local Authorities. Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS). National Farmers Union of Scotland. (NFUS). Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (SGRPID). British Ports Association. Scottish Lands and Estates. Local District Salmon Fishery Boards. Dee, Deveron, Don and Ythan Rivers/Fisheries Trusts, the Spey Foundation, Dee and Spey Catchment Management Partnerships .

Electro Fishing Surveys. Although we would like to carry out widespread surveys to establish the distribution and age of fish species in the trust area, currently, financial restraints are such that this work is and will be restricted, initially at least, to establishing the presence or otherwise of the various fish species above suspected obstructions to fish migration. The results of these investigations will enable us to prioritise our future planning and actions regarding possible removal, or easing fish migration difficulties at, these obstructions.

Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Trust Staff , contracted by our trust in 2011, carrying out electro fishing on the Raxton Burn upstream of a suspected obstruction to fish migration on the Kelly Burn in Haddo Country Park.

Scale Sampling. In order to gain some information on the current salmon and sea trout stocks in the Ythan, the trust initiated a scale collection programme with the participation of local anglers, in 2011. This is the first time such a programme has been carried out in the catchment. The main surprise of the findings was that of all the salmon and grilse whose scales were read, some 7% were from spring salmon, this on a river where very little salmon angling is carried out until early August. The scale collection and reading programme is ongoing . The scale collection for the 2012 season is now complete and is being prepared for examination.

Volunteers. The River Ythan Trust is probably the smallest (at least in geographical area) of the 25 rivers/fisheries trusts/foundations in Scotland and has very limited financial resources. Wherever possible work is being, and will be carried out by our volunteers, thereby preserving our precious funds to purchase, for example, the services of specialist expertise from adjacent trusts, as mentioned previously in this document. We have already received a commitment from a number of anglers from local angling clubs and associations to assist with easement of debris obstructions, redd counting/recording and habitat improvement work. The Ythan Project Volunteers, Forvie National Nature Reserve staff and a number of individuals have expressed an interest in assisting with future INNS control.

Education. 

Our Fishery Management Plan included the desire to implement an education project, such as “Salmon or Trout in the Classroom” for local schools. From witnessing similar projects operated by a couple of adjacent trusts we believe this is the type of project that most successfully engages children's the interest in the river and the general environment.



“Salmon or Trout in the Classroom” projects require expenditure for the purchase of equipment such at tanks, chillers, pumps etc, which unfortunately, as yet, we have been unable to provide.

In the summer of 2012 we participated in Ellon Academy’s leisure week where we taught pupils to tie a few simple flies and assisted with a fly fishing day at a local rainbow trout fishery where some pupils caught fish using the flies they tied themselves. The pupils enjoyed the experience

During the three days we were involved with Ellon Academy, we took the opportunity to give the pupils a brief insight into the lives of salmon and trout and the importance of good habitat for their wellbeing and survival. We had a brief field visit to the Broomies Burn in Ellon where the pupils participated in some limited easement of debris, to assist fish passage.

Priorities for 2012/14 Habitat Survey Findings/Actions. 

Collate the information gathered during the habitat surveys and share/discuss with SEPA.



The surveys have identified a list of 70 man made full or partial obstructions (excluding cattle waterings) to fish migration, which impact some 25% of the total length of the Ythan and tributaries.



The obstructions on the larger tributaries will be assessed in 2013 using “Sniffer” qualified personnel to assess their status regarding fish migration with the view to obtain funding via the SEPA Water Environment Fund, or other resources, to rectify those that fail.



Commence, in 2013, the removal or easement of debris obstructions by volunteers such that fish migration is not impeded. Large tree debris will generally be left in position to maintain trout and juvenile fish habitat.

Electro fishing. 

Carry out electro fishing exercises to identify the presence of juvenile salmon, eels and lamprey above man made suspected obstructions, to support, or otherwise, the findings of “Sniffer” surveys.

Redd Counting/Recording. 

Commence, in late 2012 onwards, redd counting and recording GPS co-ordinates of locations in order to build up an understanding of salmon/trout spawning areas in the catchments.

INNS. 

Our recent habitat surveys have identified the quantity and locations of virtually all INNS riparian plants in the Ythan catchment .



Whilst we have participated with RAFTS in the recent INNS EU LIFE + bid to deal with INNS Scotland wide, there is no guarantee the bid will be successful, therefore we will be examining other options to secure funding and /or participation with other bodies to instigate a practical project, utilising the services of volunteers.



The Ythan Project Volunteers have expressed an interest in becoming involved in some way with Giant Hogweed control on the Tarty Burn, one of the most the most badly affected waterways in the catchment.

Education. 

We have recognised the great importance and value in educating children and the general public regarding the environment of the river, streams and riparian areas.



We will, in 2013, examine all avenues to find resources, financial and otherwise, to support this aspiration.

River Ythan Trust Contact Details Address: River Ythan Trust,Estate Office, Mains of Haddo, Tarves. Ellon. Aberdeenshire AB41 7LD Website: www.riverythantrust.org Chairman: Colin Mitchell, e-mail [email protected], or [email protected] Treasurer: Mark Andrew, e-mail [email protected], or [email protected] Secretary: Alec Paterson, e-mail [email protected], or [email protected]

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