BEAULY SYSTEM FISH AND FISHERY ACTION PLAN ... - RAFTS

Beauly Rod and Line Sea Trout Catch350030002500C a t c h20001500SeaTrout100050001 9 5 21 9 5 41 9 5 61 9 5 81 9 6 01 9 6 21 9 6 41 9 6 61 9 6 81 9 7 01 9 7 21 9 7 41 9 7 61 9 7 8Year1 9 8 01 9 8 21 9 8 41 9 8 61 9 8 81 9 9 01 9 9 21 9 9 41 9 9 61 9 9 82 0 0 02 0 0 22 0 0 42 0 0 6No net fisheries have operated within the Beauly catchment since 1986.Information available to the Ness & Beauly Fisheries Trust for catches of speciesother than salmon and migratory trout is extremely limited. It is recognised thatthe lack of data on catches and general status of such species represents a majorgap in knowledge and badly hinders fishery management.2.5 Hatchery UseA hatchery situated near the village of Beauly is operated by the Lower BeaulyFishings Syndicate. The capacity of the hatchery is approximately 250,000. Mostjuvenile salmon are stocked out to fry stage although some are also reared to parrstage.2.6 Predators and Competing SpeciesEach fish species within the Beauly catchment is subject to predation by a suite ofpiscine, avian and mammalian predators. These are both native (e.g. otters) andnon-native (e.g. pike and mink) to the catchment. In addition, introduced speciessuch as minnows may compete with native fish for resources e.g. food. Somepredatory species are controlled by plans such as the Moray Firth SealManagement Plan whilst others are not controlled in any systematic way.25