Several North Devon sea anglers expressed concern when they spotted large numbers of net floats in the area off North Devon’s headlands. Rumours spread rapidly that this could be illegal fishing activity. A call to the local Environment Agency confirmed that the nets were part of an important research programme to help protect salmon and sea trout stocks. The SAMARCH Project Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust . www.gwct.org.uk For further information on this project visit https://www.samarch.org
SAMARCH is a five-year project with a grant of €5.8m from the EU’s France (Channel) England Interreg Channel programme.
The SAMARCH project will :
- Provide novel information on the survival and migration of young salmon and sea trout in four estuaries of the Channel area
- Provide novel information on the movements and swimming depths of adult sea trout in the Channel
- Create a genetic data base for trout on both sides of the Channel
- Create a map of areas that are important for sea trout in the Channel based on sea scape
- Provide new information to further improve the models used in England and France to manage their salmonid stocks
- Train students in the management of coastal and transitional waters
- Engage with stakeholders throughout the project
- Inform current and develop new policies for the better management of salmonid stocks in our coastal and transitional waters
There is close working between the IFCAs and the EA in coastal waters with the EA focussing on migratory fish within I believe six miles off the coast. Anglers are urged to contact the EA on 0800807060 if they have any concerns regarding illegal fishing or pollution.
