World Oceans Day

World Oceans Day is an international program of events co-ordinated by The Ocean Project to raise awareness of oceans. In Dumfries and Galloway the Solway Firth Partnership has run World Oceans Day for many years and this year it was expanded to World Oceans Week with two celebrations being held at Rockcliffe and Port William. In support of this day and to raise awareness of the migratory species of fish that use the Solway Firth, the NDSFB had a stall at Rockcliffe. It was a very successful day and children enjoyed trying to identify the species of fish that we had brought with us and set up in an aquarium.

Genetic Surveying of Atlantic salmon

After discussions with the FRS in Pitlochry the NDSFB have been collecting genetic samples from juvenille salmon within the Nith ctachment. With the decline of salmon stocks worldwide it is important to understand as much as possible about this species and how it interacts with its environment. Each river catchment has a different genetic population of salmon and it is thought that within each catchment there are different genetic breeding groups. As part of a national survey, the NDSFB is taking genetic samples from juvenile salmon throughout the catchment. These small fin samples are then sent off for analysis where the DNA is extracted and the results are analysed. The data can then be used to determine the different genetic groups of breeding salmon within the Nith catchment. This information will let us improve our management techniques and strategies, giving us a greater ability to conserve and enhance salmon stocks throughout the Nith catchment.