Beauly Fishery Board

In Phase 2 of the project (2023 – 2026), the Beauly Fishery Board has become a project partner following a restructuring of operations at the Ness and Beauly Fishery Trust.

The Beauly Fishery Board aims to protect and improve things for salmon and sea trout to give them the best chance possible to fulfil their lifecycle whilst in the Beauly catchment and beyond. This involves protecting fish from illegal exploitation but also the broader task of minimising the numerous other pressures faced by fish in the catchment.

Invasive non-native species damage the environment, the economy, human health and our ways of life.  Such species are an emerging pressure in the catchment and taking action now to control and eradicate will mean we do not face an impossible task in the future.  The River Beauly is fortunate position in that the invasive non-native species which are present are in the early stages of infestation and can be controlled and, in time, eradicated. The Beauly Fishery Board are dealing with American mink and invasive plants through the Scottish Invasive species Initiative.

Our priorities are to strategically tackle invasive non-native plant species – particularly Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed and American skunk cabbage) from the upstream source in the catchment working downstream to the sea - and to include local volunteers to help carry out this work.  For example, we work closely with and provide support to the Beauly Balsam Bashers community group.  A key part of delivering invasive species control is having staff and volunteers trained in herbicide application.

The Beauly Fishery Board maintains records of invasive plant species locations and monitors progress of control work through plant abundance and kayak surveys, drone flights and fixed-point photography.

Contact

Trudi Clarke (SISI Project Officer):      [email protected]       Tel: 07498889443

or

Anthony Watkins, Biologist:    [email protected]      Tel:  07391 553647