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West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · 7h

The clocks have gone back, the fishing season is finished and it's time to snuggle up in front of the fire dreaming about the lochs and rivers of Sutherland. Help is here, with #FridayChallenge, but where were we?

West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · 3d

The Trust will be holding it's AGM on Friday 21 November at 12.00 in Achfary Village Hall. We look forward to seeing you there. Tea and coffee provided.

West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · 11d

A few days in the field getting invertebrate samples. There were a few issues - really, who makes a flow meter that isn't waterproof? - but I have high hopes for some good information from the work. On a different note - any suggestions for the big metal ring?

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West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Sep 30

It's been a different couple of weeks as we gear down for the end of the season. Not sure we should have passed the notice - not given the next day in the brambles - honest, there is a biologist in there somewhere!

Reposted by West Sutherland Fisheries Trust

Surprised Eel Historian, PhD @greenleejw.bsky.social · Sep 15

It's Monday, & you're wondering: "Why should I care about eels?"

Well...in addition to being great fodder for memes, eels are super-important to stream ecologies! Historically, eels have made up as much as 50% of the total fish biomass in lower reaches of US & European rivers.
🗃️🧪

Meme. Picture of an eel underwater. The picture is taken from the side, so you can only see one of the eel's blue-tinged eyes, fixed on you like the red-rimmed Eye of Sauron (if Sauron were a happy fish). The eel (we'll call him Kryztaphix) seems like he is peeking out from a hole in the rocks. There are stones in the water behind him, one of which seems like a lovely speckled granite. Kryztaphix is a dark grey on top, and a shiny silver below. He is likely stopping to say hi on his way to sea.

Kryztaphix has a kindly smile on his face, and you feel comfortable in his presence. It's the sort of look that makes you want to spill out your whole life story, including that one time in middle school. You know the one. Kryztaphix won't judge you. He seen worse. Hell...he's done worse. And he will take your secrets to his Sargasso grave. You really couldn't ask for more.

Meme text reads:
"Half your streams
are belong to us."

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West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Sep 14

Just like that, the netting season has finished, and what a way to finish! Some amazing fish, fantastic volunteers, great craic and decent weather :) Thanks to Maaike and John for the photos and to everyone for their help over the year. Here's to 2026 being as good.

Reposted by West Sutherland Fisheries Trust

Surprised Eel Historian, PhD @greenleejw.bsky.social · Sep 9

I love summer, and I hate the change of seasons. But eels change in excellent ways, so let's talk about that, instead!

That's right, friends...it's Big Eel Life Cycle Thread time!

Before we start, let's remember that I'm a historian, not a scientist. But I'll do my best. 1/11
🗃️🧪

Meme. Drawing of the eels' life cycle, surrounding a map of their migration range, centered on the mid-Atlantic. The drawing shows the evolution cycle:
1. Silver eels spawing
2. Eggs
3. Larval stage
4. Glass eel
5. Elvers
6. Yellow eel
7. Silver eel

The inconsistency in singular/plural drives me a little crazy, because it suggests that eels shift from being multiple animals to one animal and back several times over their lives. Which is silly. Nobody does that. Not even my neighbor, Jim.

Meme text reads:
"There's history in here somewhere"

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West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Sep 9

Last week was our final week with Ellen who has been a great addition to the team this summer. Thanks to her input we've had a really successful season and she will be missed. Good luck with your final year.

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West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Aug 26

The weather has been perfect for electrofishing and so we've made the most of it. Out and about around the area, with some lovely fish as well. I say it often, but you really can't beat this for an office - other than the midges and other bitey things :)

West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Jul 29

A week of field work, more or less. We had the paparazzi around at the nettings - more to share later - and some good electrofishing with only our photographic skills. Still, some lovely fish :)

West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Jul 25

🎥 Just released! A new short film on simple ways anglers can help protect Scotland’s wild salmon. Hands-off releases, cooler days, the right tackle — the way we fish today can impact wild salmon’s future tomorrow. #CatchandRelease

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jp2...

Catch and Release - Small Changes, Big Impact

YouTube video by Fisheries Management Scotland

www.youtube.com

West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Jul 18

A busy couple of weeks - and very diverse. Happy to welcome Ellen to the Trust for the summer - you brought the weather! We've spread ourselves around the area and enjoyed the sun, if not the clegs, and looking forward to more of the same next week :)

West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Jun 6

Many thanks to all our many volunteers, both mink monitoring and sweep netting. If you would like to come netting then please get in touch - good company and good craic for all. Thanks also to Tara, Rosie and Donald for these pictures.

Reposted by West Sutherland Fisheries Trust

Surprised Eel Historian, PhD @greenleejw.bsky.social · Jun 3

Sometimes people ask me how medieval people could possibly catch so many eels.

Welll...it's because there were So. Many. Eels.

How many? Currently, every year, c. 1 billion elvers (baby eels) come ashore in Europe. And this is more than a 90% decline from historic levels. 1/2

Meme. Photograph of an elver in a person's cupped hands above a sandy shore. The elver is curled in a U-shape, or is making a sine curve. It depends on whether you're a language person or a numbers person. The elver's name is probably something like Slervalaine, but that -- along with its sex and its thoughts about herons -- will change as it grows. Elvers are always in total flux.

Slervalaine is brown with adorable flippers, and a very triangular head. The person holding the elver has deep lines in their hands. The topography of their palms is a map of their life's story, and maybe gives hints to their future. But Slervalaine doesn't care for any of that.

It wants to be back in the water, with a freshwater current in its face. It has a lifetime of eel-some things ahead of it. "Your troubles are your own," the young elver says. "Give me to the streams."

Meme text reads:
"Somewhere
elver the rainbow..."

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West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · May 15

Always nice to see them leave

West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Apr 25

It's Friday - time for some fish :)

West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Apr 20

I am excited to announce the first ever West Sutherland Fisheries Trust online spring charity auction is open.

We have over 30 fantastic lots available at uk.givergy.com/wsft-spring-auction/

We appreciate your support, happy bidding! 🙏🏻🐟

Spring Auction | Powered by Givergy

Bid on exclusive money can't buy items & experiences with West Sutherland Fisheries Trust. Enter into one of our charity auctions, prize draws or buy

uk.givergy.com

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West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Apr 17

The smolts continue to trickle through the screw trap - with a bit of water we might get more :) - so here's a few pictures of some pretty fish

Reposted by West Sutherland Fisheries Trust

Surprised Eel Historian, PhD @greenleejw.bsky.social · Apr 11

Your occasional reminder that eels are the most smuggled animal on earth; there's a $4-$5 billion per year black market trade in eels.

INTERPOL has called the trafficking of European elvers to Asia "Europe's ivory trade."

CBS News @cbsnews.com · Apr 11

A French court sentenced eight people for smuggling eel larvae in a scheme worth over $2 million that prosecutors likened to cocaine trafficking.

8 people sentenced to prison for smuggling endangered eels in $2 million operation

A French court sentenced eight people for smuggling eel larvae in a scheme worth over $2 million that prosecutors likened to cocaine trafficking.

cbsn.ws

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West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Apr 10

The Inver trap is back in location, and we're picking up the odd fish. Lovely brown trout today, along with the salmon smolt.

Reposted by West Sutherland Fisheries Trust

Scottish Wildlife Trust @scotwildlife.bsky.social · Apr 9

Handa can be a wild place - and not just because of the waves!

Spot a few of the locals in the video below, captured by one of our long-term volunteers, Tilly.

Discover more about this special landscape on our website: buff.ly/APjEkkU

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West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Apr 8

Coming back from a trip on Eriboll yesterday, we decided to walk up a dry river bed. Found the water, but have to ask - who's stealing it? :)

West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Apr 4

...and that's the smolt trap in Badna Bay. Lovely weather for getting it installed, and hopefully some lovely fish to come :)

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West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Apr 1

Reports from our 2024 sampling season are now available online, together with the 2025 Annual Review. Check them out at wsft.org.uk/index.php/pu...

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West Sutherland Fisheries Trust @wsft.bsky.social · Mar 31

Congratulations to everyone that spotted the Glen Loch, Loch Druim Suardlain, on the Culag catchment. That's us until October - hopefully I'll get more photos over the summer :)