AFBI Scientist attends event at Waterways Ireland, Enniskillen

Dr Robert Rosell attended, by Invitation, an event at waterways Ireland at their Enniskillen HQ. During a River Boat tour from WWI to Devenish Island, Robert gave a presentation to The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Viscount and lady Brookborough, First Minister Arlene Foster, and senior WWI staff  on the natural history of the fish of Lough Erne  and AFBI Fisheries research activities.

Projects showcased, with practical demonstrations by AFBI and DAERA field staff were the Long term monitoring of fisheries of the Erne system, and Acoustic tracking of fish movements in Lower Lough Erne.

The Visitors showed particular interest in the acoustic tagging fish tracking work, which has revealed much larger scale movements of trout, pike and bream throughout Lower Lough Erne than anticipated.

Salmon Adults moving upstream from the sea to spawning grounds enter more feeder rivers than expected, and juvenile salmon migrating downstream to sea show margin tracking behaviour until they reach the out-flowing river Erne. At least one tagged salmon smolt has been eaten by a tagged pike, resulting in two tags simultaneously showing on receivers for a period of weeks until one stays put on the lake bed, never to move again!