Waterside Ecology
Independent Ecological Consultancy
Fish and Fisheries
Waterside Ecology has established a reputation for providing a high quality service in fish survey and fisheries science. Our teams have carried out assessments of fish populations and habitat in around 150 rivers, ranging from moorland streams on Shetland to large rivers in the Borders. This wealth of experience underpins a rigorous approach to designing and implementing survey, monitoring and research, ensuring that data are collected in a way that best meets the needs of both clients and statutory consultees.
Waterside Ecology offers:
• Electric fishing surveys for salmon, trout, lampreys, eels and other species
• Netting surveys in standing water
• Habitat assessment and mapping
• Conservation and management planning
• Environmental impact assessment.
Work is carried out to recognised protocols and standards e.g. Environment Agency Salmon Habitat Mapping protocols, Scottish Fisheries Co-ordination Centre electric fishing and habitat protocols. Surveys conducted for the purposes of Environmental Impact Assessment adhere to national standards as required, following guidelines set out by e.g. SNH, IEEM and DEFRA.
Inevitably much of our work is on salmonid species, due to their economic value and the legislative protections afforded to salmon and sea trout. In addition, we cover non-salmonid species and have developed particular expertise in lamprey ecology. We are currently collaborating with staff at Stirling University to develop improved survey methods for assessing sea lamprey populations.
Recent and ongoing projects include:
Development of a Fisheries Management Plan for the Isle of Skye (Skye Salmon Fishery Board)
Electric fishing and habitat surveys for Pairc Wind Farm, Lewis (Scottish & Southern Energy)
Lamprey site condition monitoring of the River Tay and River Endrick SACs (Scottish Natural Heritage)
Assessment of impacts of dredging on a spawning tributary of the River Deveron (Deveron Salmon Fishery Board)
Assessment of salmon restoration potential in Gleann Beag, Easter Ross (Scottish & Southern Energy)