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Salmon Coming Home Project

Issues:

  • Water Flow or Discharge
  • Water depth in stream
  • Width of Stream to contain main flow
  • Bank structure
  • Planting of trees vegetation to stabilise bank.
  • Stream Substrate
  • Riparian Zone
  • Gradient
    		•  Will eat any new vegetation and trample banks causing collapseSpeeds up rate of destruction of banks
  • Survey the river
  • Identify those areas which need Protection, Enhancment or Restoration.
  • Options to consider
  • Fencing of to protect riparian zone
  • encourage bankside growth to stabilise banks.
  • Level of cover to encouage shade and sufficient light.
  • Deflectors, to manage flow and direct water.
  • Boulder palcement in stream to creat useful habitat and on banks
  • Spawning areas, nursery riffles, nursery pools, holding pools, hiding places.
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    Scroll down for more pictures

      Illustrated stages of salmon’s life cycle.Different habitats are required at each stage of the lifecycle.For example adult salmon (and trout) need water ventilated gravels suitable for laying eggs in Redds in the autumn and which are stable enough to hold eggs until they hatch.Good quality clean non polluted oxygenated water to facilitate good growth of alvein to fry in the shelter of gravel and river bed.

    As the fry develop into parr and get larger they require more water, riffles and pools, for growth and security.

    Stable banks that provide security and which encourage flora and fauna will help good growth.

    Juvenile salmon parr after 2 to 3 years change physiologically into smolts, move downstream and migrate out to sea to feed and grow rapidly.

    When they return as adults 1 to 2 years later (or more) they migrate upstream again and wait for spawning time. (Late Autumn /Early Winter)

    Resting and hiding places are required for adult as they wait for spawning time which requires a sufficient depth of water and security particularly for any early running fish. These fish are particularly valuable and need to be given all change to develop into a sustainable run

    A stable Environment that accommodates safety and security during floods and droughts is essential.

    If there are good numbers of salmon spawning in the autumn, the runs of the future runs are secured and nutrients are transferred from the ocean to stream to provide useful organic matter and natural sustainability.
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    Natural Living Assets | Developing Angling sustainability in Ballycastle's four rivers | Designed By Oliver Hegarty