Scotland’s salmon farmers are supporting a series of Highland coastal kelp forests to help safeguard wild salmon and sea trout.
As part of a £1.5 million commitment from salmon farmers, Atlantic Mariculture has been awarded £43,102 to deploy special ‘kelp shelters’ at its farms at Ardtoe on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.
The iconic wild salmon and sea trout are under threat from habitat loss and rising river temperatures. Kelp forests are known to provide food and security for many fish species and it is hoped that Atlantic Mariculture’s shelters will offer crucial rest stops for migrating sea trout.
Amabel Hamilton, chief executive of Atlantic Mariculture, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded a research grant to examine how kelp shelters can enhance habitats for sea trout.”
“Sea trout have endured a difficult few decades and we can now explore how to support this native and sensitive indicator species using cultivated Scottish kelp.”
The project will see five 100m long shelters deployed along the west coast near the Rivers Shiel and Moidar, growing sustainable brown kelp native to the area, providing a dense environment for sea trout and repurposing historical salmon netting stations where possible.
The sites will be closely monitored throughout the two-year project using underwater drones, divers, cameras and specialist sensor equipment.
More than £118,000 has already been granted to seven projects this year through Salmon Scotland’s ‘wild fisheries fund’ – previously known as the ‘wild salmonid fund’ – to address long-term species decline.
