Information on becoming a trust volunteer

As part of the on going development of the Trust, the RCCT has appointed a new fisheries scientist, Jack Spees, to undertake fisheries and ecological surveying. The two largest components of this are Electro fishing and Invertebrate Sampling. These will inform the trust on: The general status of the catchment’s fish stocks, how the habitat schemes are performing, locations where habitat schemes need to be implemented, pollution incidents that need addressing, and many other factors relating to the health of the Catchment.

To obtain sufficient results to draw conclusions, around 300 electro fishing sites need to be surveyed annually, and around 60 invertebrate sites need consistent monthly monitoring. To achieve this, the trust will need the help of volunteers. Full (and simple) training will be organized, and it is also an opportunity for you to see what’s in, and happening in your river.

The trust also needs volunteers to help form work parties to help with maintenance to the existing habitat schemes, this includes, tree planting, litter picking, fence repairs, tree pollarding and other general maintenance work.

To volunteer contact the trust on 01200 444452

or

Email - jack@ribbletrust.com

Why not click here to complete our online survey

Dunsop off-stream spawning channels

This was a scheme to introduce new spawning areas back into the river Dunsop at Dunsop Bridge in the Hodder valley. The river has lost much of its spawning gravels due to the re-alignment of the river some years ago after severe flooding and as a result the Trust, in conjunction with the Environment Agency, has been looking at ways of putting back spawning gravel to allow the salmon and sea-trout which use the river, access to new spawning areas.

The result was the construction of two off-stream spawning channels which run off the main river and then return to the main river after some 90-150 yards. Filled with original river gravel the channels, although only completed in September 2006, have already been very successful with into the teens of sea-trout and salmon cutting redds in the two channels throughout late November and December.

This is the first scheme of its type on an English river and the Trust is already getting enquiries from other areas for information on the project and whether it will be suitable for their river.

Trout in the classroom

Introduced by Jetset UK from Mitcham in Surrey, this is a scheme to provide fish tanks in schools which can be used to rear fish from egg to fry and then be released by the children into a local stream or river. A very exciting venture the scheme is supported by some of the major environmentalists and is being rolled out across the country after commencing in the south. The Trust were fortunate enough to be given funding by the Environment Agency to purchase an initial tank and this was duly installed in November 2006 at Horton-in-Ribblesdale C of E primary school near the top of the catchment. The eggs, procured by the local Environment Agency bailiff Neal Handy, were introduced in December and have successfully hatched during January/February 2007. Horton school is very enthusiastic about its fish project and the children and the headmistress are keen to see their fish released into the local stream and increase the indigenous population.

Together with the help of the Mersey Basin Group the Trust is now looking to secure funding for a further 5 tanks for schools across the catchment.

Click here for the Winter 2005/06 Newsletter.