Don Fishery Management Plan - RAFTS

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Outcomes of Habitat SurveyHabitat data collectedLocation, extent and quality of salmonidspawning groundsLocation, extent and quality of salmonidnursery groundsLocate areas of habitat suitable for specieswith distinct requirementsPresence of obstructionsPresence of pollution sourcesPresence of degraded instream habitate.g. dredged burns for agricultural drainagePresence of degraded riparian habitate.g. livestock-poached banksPresence of invasive plant speciesData uses• Estimate potential production• GIS mapping• Interpretation of redd count data• Interpretation of juvenile electricfishing data• Determine likely location of distinctbreeding populations and location ofsampling sites for genetic analysis• Determine scope for gravel cleaninge.g. as a result of instream vegetationand siltation• Determine scope for stocking• Estimate potential juvenile production• GIS mapping• Interpretation of juvenile electricfishing data• Determine scope for stocking• Locate potential Lamprey habitat• Identify areas sensitive to developmente.g. pearl mussel beds• Potential migratory access problems• Effect on fish numbers upstream?• Potential for opening up new nurserygrounds• Effect on fish numbers• Potential for improvement works• Effect on fish numbers• Potential for improvement works• Effect on fish numbers• Potential for improvement works• Effect on fish numbers• Effect on angler access to fishery• Mapping extent of Giant Hogweed,Japanese Knotweed, Ranunculus oncatchment• Potential for control measures19
Lead BodiesScientific research is a core role for the River Don Trust and so the RDT will be leadingthe habitat surveys. As discussed there is merit in also training Don DSFB staff in themethod so that efficient use of resources can be made.Future WorkAreas of the catchment identified for improvement works, whether instream works, suchas rubble mat addition, or riparian works, such as fencing and buffer strip creation or treeplanting, can be prioritised when the habitat survey has been considered in conjunctionwith electric fishing and other data. This should be based on factors such as thoseconsidered in the River Dee Trust’s 2008 report “Prioritisation of Habitat Restorationbased upon the 1999 River Dee Habitat Survey and Subsequent Updates”:Feasibility of the restoration workSeverity of the impactPotential increase in fish production following restorationImpact on vulnerable components of the fish stock e.g. spring salmonCost of implementing restoration work.Once work has been prioritised detailed surveys of the tributaries in question can becarried out to produce project plans fully costed to the type of improvements required.Application can then be made to the Scottish Rural Development Programme forassistance and consultation with the local landowners to ensure their needs are met.Future revisions of the Fishery Management Plan for the river will encompass these plansand the subsequent monitoring to quantify their success.4.2.2 Electric Fishing SurveysSurvey PurposeWidespread electric fishing is required to establish baseline data as to which species arecurrently present, their abundance and extent across the Don catchment. Due to theimportance of the salmonid fisheries on the Don, electric fishing will primarily be aimedat these species. Other fish species encountered shall be recorded in full detail in orderthat future investigations can be targeted, perhaps using additional methods. Targeteddata collection on species of conservation importance, such as eels or lampreys may bepossible through collaborations with SNH.Survey MethodElectric fishing on the Don catchment will be carried out in accordance with the trainingand methods of the Scottish Fisheries Co-ordination Centre (SFCC).The Time Delineated Method will be used in order that:• The whole of the catchment can be surveyed, including wadeable areas of widemainstem waters• Overall trends in relative fish abundance, rather than exact fish numbers, can bedetermined20
Page 1 and 2: RIVER DONFISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN200
Page 3 and 4: 4.6 Ongoing Management 344.6.1 Bail
Page 5 and 6: Salmon, sea trout and brown trout c
Page 7 and 8: 2.3 TopographyThe mainstem of the R
Page 9 and 10: Adjacent to the Don catchment, but
Page 11 and 12: Figure 3.1.1 Distribution of Atlant
Page 13 and 14: 3.1.4 Lamprey speciesThe adult sea
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Page 17 and 18: 3.2.5 Coarse Species FisheriesRecog
Page 19 and 20: 4. MANAGEMENT PRIORITIESIn order to
Page 21: instream habitat types suitable for
Page 25 and 26: Lead BodiesElectric fishing surveys
Page 27 and 28: Survey MethodFin clips can be remov
Page 29 and 30: 4.2.5 Impact of Known ObstructionsS
Page 31 and 32: Improvement Association collates in
Page 33 and 34: 4.2.7 Evaluation of Hatchery Progra
Page 35 and 36: 4.2.8 Timescale for Survey Programm
Page 37 and 38: 4.6 Ongoing ManagementThere are exi
Page 39 and 40: 5. STAFF STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENTA
Page 41: 8. REFERENCESCalderwood, W.L. (1909

Don Fishery Management Plan - RAFTS

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