Understanding Brown Trout – Genes, Ecology and Citizen Science
Overview of the project
The wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) displays a remarkable level of variation in its external appearance, behaviour, ecology, biology and many other aspects of its life-history. The realisation that much of this variation has a genetic basis, has led scientists to study the genetic make-up of brown trout in the recognition that there is enormous genetic diversity within and among brown trout populations, which is of great importance for both management and conservation of the species.
In 2014, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) began a three-year research programme to examine the genetic diversity of brown trout in selected Dublin Rivers, the Moy Catchment, Co. Mayo and the Middle Shannon and Lough Ree catchments. Anglers provided adult trout scale samples from main channels and lakes and Inland Fisheries Ireland staff collected samples from juvenile trout in each catchment. The genetic analysis has now been completed by QUB and the project outputs are providing IFI with valuable information on how genetic diversity is distributed among trout populations within these catchments. The information will assist IFI in making the correct and most cost effective fisheries management and conservation decisions.
The conference aims to present information from this project. Information from other IFI commissioned genetic studies of brown trout, in other catchments across Ireland will also be presented (e.g. Loughs Corrib, Sheelin, Ennell, etc.). Speakers will include Professor Paulo Prodohl (QUB), Dr. Martin O’ Grady (retired IFI) and Dr. Karen Delanty (IFI).
A European and international perspective on the genetics of trout (brown trout and sea trout) will also be included on the day. Experts in the field such as Professor Andy Ferguson (retired QUB) and Dr. Nigel Milner (Bangor University) have confirmed their attendance. An international speaker (TBC) will also give a keynote presentation.
The project had a number of objectives some of which included;
- To investigate if there are there a number of discrete genetic stocks of brown trout in each of the study catchments.
- If discrete genetic stocks are present in each river/lake/catchment, how important is each group to the fishery.
Please contact Shima.Mistry@fisheriesireland.ie for further details.
Registration
Registration fee is €50, this includes conference attendance, morning tea/coffee and a sit down lunch.
Venue Details
Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone Co. Westmeath
https://www.hodsonbayhotel.com
Room Rates
There are a number of rooms available for delegates at the conference rate of €85 B & B per single room per night and €50 B & B per person sharing per night. Please mention the Inland Fisheries Ireland Conference when making a booking.
Main Contributors to the project:
Inland Fisheries Ireland and Queen’s University Belfast
Inland Fisheries Ireland wish to acknowledge and thank the following contributors to the projects, both for financial support and in the collection of sample material.
Dublin Rivers Project
Ballymore Eustace Trout & Salmon Anglers Ass.
Clane Trout and Salmon Anglers Ass.
Dodder Anglers Ass.
Dublin City Council
Dublin Trout Anglers
Intel Ireland Ltd.
Kilbride Anglers Ass.
Leixlip and District Anglers Ass.
North Dublin Trout & Salmon Anglers Ass.
Peter Brown
Tolka Trout Anglers Ass.
Mid Shannon Project (L. Ree Catchment)
Ballykeeran/Kileenmore Anglers
Ballinlough Anglers
Camlin Anglers
Castlecoote Anglers
Coosan Anglers
Lough Derravaragh Anglers
Lough Ennell Trout Preservation Ass.
Lough Glore Anglers Ass.
Lough O’Flynn & District Anglers
Lough Owel Anglers
Lough Ree Angling Federation
Lough Sheelin Trout Preservation Ass.
Suck Valley Angling Hub
Moy Catchment Project
Lough Conn and Cullin Anglers Ass.
Judd Ruane
Others
Lough Derg Biodiversity Group
Office of Public Works