Fish and Sea living Mammals of all kinds, from sperm whales to shrimps, are scarce and becoming even scarcer by the day, and the simple cause is over fishing.

The Oceans, to use a simple analogy, are our FISH BANK ACCOUNTS. These have been plundered by Commercial and industrialised fishing interests, who deposit nothing in return to top up the accounts, resulting in bankruptcy of the Seas.

Sand Eels like every other fish in the sea are part of the food chain, which keeps the eco-system of the sea in balance. Unfortunately, when the spot price of oil in Rotterdam is high, they are a cheaper alternative source of fuel for Danish power stations and the Danes harvest them in thousands of tons off the coast of Scotland, which happens to be one of the breeding grounds for North Sea Cod and Haddock.

Mackerel canning factory ships called Klondikers used to fill the approaches Loch Broom and the Herring shoals were the reason for Ullapool's very existence.

Salmon and Sea Trout are termed "Game Fish", but what was "game" about Drift Netting, Stake Netting, Sweep Netting, Gill Netting, Trammell Netting and Bag Netting etc.?

Just like the yellow gold of the Klondike, the Silver Harvest of the seas is coming to an end. The mother load has paid out handsomely but at a cost that was never calculated, because no one intended to repay it.

KEITH DUNBAR, founder member of the Achiltibuie Angling Club, has taken up the challenge and is leading the Club efforts in trying to put things to rights as far as the local Sea Trout stocks are concerned.

Employing the tried and tested WHITLOCK VIBERT BOX egg incubator and fry nursery system, as well as releasing bought fry, Keith presses the willing Club members and the riparian owners, into helping him in his efforts to restock the Coigach Rivers with Sea Trout.

Some expert opinions attribute all of the blame for the impending demise of Sea Trout stocks to fish farming, and the location of fish farms too close to estuary waters. This is without doubt a contributing factor but not the sole reason for dwindling stocks in the rivers.

Again, over fishing must be accepted as the major cause of diminishing stocks. How else can one explain the reduction in the individual body weight of the fish landed? Bearing mind that Sea Trout hanging around Salmon cages would show massive weight gains from eating the food that falls through the cages. Plentiful food supplies should also increase the Sea Trout population as it does the Coalfish and Pollack. Has the source of the easy pickings in the fish farm food supply robbed the fish of their migratory instinct? Not likely, in that case large numbers would be caught at sea.

Whatever the reasons and causes for diminishing fish stocks, we are actively engaged in doing what we can to improve the situation, at no small cost in voluntary time and resources.

	CHRIS MACLEOD, restocking Loch Osgaig with Sea Trout Fry, which were bred from local fish in Jock Brotherston's local hatchery. Photographed by KEITH DUNBAR.

HARRY HASSAL and CHRIS MACLEOD collecting a batch of Sea Trout eggs from Aultbae for planting out in artificial redds somewhere in the River Osgaig, using VIBERT BOXES.
Photographed by Keith Dunbar.

Close up of the WHITLOCK VIBERT BOXES being charged with Sea Trout eggs ready for planting out.
Photographed by Keith Dunbar.

HOW IT WORKS

In this illustration the WHITLOCK VIBERT BOX is seen working in an artificial salmon, trout or char redd, that has been constructed in running water. In this ideal situation the expected fry production yield is 85-97%.

Mechanically, the box operates on a system of various sizes of SLOTS. The slotted walls of which the INCUBATOR is constructed will not allow the eyed / fertilized eggs to escape, but will allow SAC FRY to escape into the NURSERY. The slotted walls of which the nursery is constructed will not allow sac fry to escape before they have absorbed the egg sac, but will allow the fully formed FRY to pass through into their natural habitat.

In other words, the Whitlock Vibert Box is a box divided up into a series of slotted cages graded in size to allow for the physical release of the fish into different environmentally controlled conditions at various stages of its development. Simple "Why didn't I think of that?"

Fertilized eggs and fry are very expensive and the skills, study and dedicated effort required to bring one restocking project to a successful conclusion demands a great deal of practical team work, and above all a team leader who is willing to "pick up the ball and run with it".

Stac Pollaidh from Loch Lurgainn,
Bill Mullin helping Keith to catch Gravid Sea Trout for breeding stock. Photographed by Keith Dunbar.

Gently and carefully releasing the Gravid Sea Trout from Loch Lurgainn into the holding tank.