Galloway Fisheries Trust

Galloway Fisheries Volunteer Scheme (GFVS)

In 2011 the Galloway Fisheries Trust (GFT) started a three year volunteer project named Galloway Fisheries Volunteer Scheme (GFVS) which will enable local volunteers to assist and learn from the work carried out by GFT. Volunteers will have the opportunity to work with the GFT in undertaking a wide range of management tasks and data gathering activities across local rivers and still waters.

Neil from GFT working the chainsaw

Some typical tasks that volunteers carry out with GFT include:

Bankside native deciduous tree planting
Removal of small naturally seeded coniferous trees near the waters edge
Blockage removal to assist migratory fish
Rock placement to improve instream habitats in previously dredged waters
Assist biologists with data collection, such as electrofishing surveys

Overgrowing shrubs on a spawning burn on the Bladnoch Cathement

The scheme was set up due to strong interest from anglers, land owners, conservationists and youth organisations to get involved in work to protect and improve local freshwaters. This scheme covers all local rivers on the west side of the region between Stranraer and Dalbeattie; Rivers Luce, Bladnoch, Cree, Water of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire Dee and Urr.

The project will result in various environmental benefits to a wide range of habitats and species associated with water and riparian areas.

The volunteer projects main aims are to:

Create opportunities to improve health
Improve and enhance instream and riparian aquatic habitat
Link communities and countryside together
Strengthen community spirit & pride
Promote a learning and skilful region
Demonstrate and promote a greener lifestyle
Raise awareness and understanding of the local nature and aquatic life
Investigate and implement improvements to riparian managements

Some recent volunteer days
The scheme began early summer 2011 and volunteer days have covered a range of tasks including controlling damaging non-native plants on the banks of the River Cree and thinning out scrub causing overshading problems on River Bladnoch spawning burns.

Local volunteers hand pulling up the invasive Himalayan Balsam
on the lower River Cree

Early October 2011, saw a team of volunteers working on the Water of Fleet near Gatehouse of Fleet. The on-going work here is aimed at improving the management of the river bank vegetation and trees. Overgrown trees and scrub have shaded out the important low level bankside cover which is important to hold banks together and provide habitat. Selective coppicing and thinning is being undertaken to improve access and views of the Fleet. The increased light levels will improve the instream habitats for young salmon and sea trout. Other species, such as Water voles, will also benefit from reducing the over shading of the river banks.

A great team of volunteers opening up the river bank on the lower Fleet

Interested in becoming a volunteer?
A range of volunteer days are being organised for the forthcoming months across Galloway. Anyone interested to get involved as a volunteer or if you have a project idea which you think the volunteer team could help with then contact GFVS Project Officer Neil Dalrymple at GFT on 01671 403011 or click on Contact Us.

The project is supported by funding from SNH and SWEAT.

Galloway Fisheries Trust

Fisheries House, Station Industrial Estate, Newton Stewart, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland. DG8 6ND
Telephone: 01671 403011 Fax: 01671 402248 E-mail: mail@gallowayfisheriestrust.org
Scottish Registered Charity No. SC020751