With the recent mild weather and regular rises in water levels, conditions are currently ideal for adult Salmon and Trout to migrate to the spawning grounds and this has been reflected by the high numbers of fish that have been passing through the Ettrick and Gala Counters in the last few weeks. 

1,748 fish have already passed through the Gala Counter and it is very likely that the annual total will be much higher than last year (1,808), which was the first year of recording.  A new fish trap has been put into the fish pass at the Gala Counter this week, which allows us to capture fish for different areas of our research, e.g. checking the fish counter is measuring fish correctly, and how long it takes fish to ascend the fish pass.  It also provides an opportunity to sample the “Trout” (Sea-trout and Brown Trout) running the Gala Water to better understand the population structure of the Gala.  Wednesday, 9th October has been our best day to date with a very busy 5 hours producing 59 adult fish from the trap!

    

                            The new fish trap in the Gala Fish Counter                                               A large male Sea-trout caught in the trap



Dr Ronald Campbell takes a scale and measures the first fish caught
in the new trap - a Sea-trout - before returning it to the water