Angling in the Outer Hebrides
Salmon
Salmon
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Salmon
Salmon
Salmon
Our Team
Our Team
Our Team
Our Team
Our Team
Our Team
Our Team
Freshwater Landscape and Geology
Freshwater Landscape and Geology
Outer Hebrides Fisheries Consultancy
The Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust (OHFT) are available to conduct a wide variety of consultancy work and being based in Stornoway are ideally placed for doing so throughout the Outer Hebrides. The trust was formed in 1996 providing us with 28 years’ experience conducting surveys in freshwater and coastal environments.
We have brought added value to multiple projects by offering an array of baseline data, extensive local contacts and vast experience of wild fish survey techniques. Throughout all its work OHFT follows strict guidelines and protocols (SFCC) with an emphasis on integrity when gathering data.
Services We Provide:
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Baseline Surveys
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Habitat Surveys
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Electro Fishing Surveys
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Coastal Fyke Net Surveys
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Freshwater Fyke Net Surveys
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Coastal & Freshwater Seine Netting & Sweep Netting
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Fish Rescue
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Freshwater Pearl Mussel Surveys
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Barrier Assessments
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EMP Monitoring
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Tagging & Telemetry Studies
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Habitat Restoration
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Habitat Enhancement
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Invasive Species Assessment
Recent Projects:
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Wind Farm Baseline Surveys for EIA
​OHFT were contracted by the developer of Uisenis wind farm to carry out Habitat assessments in 2022, this work was followed up by fish population assessments in 2023. In 2024 OHFT were awarded contracts from RWE for the Heastabhal and Grimshader wind farm developments, both of which required fish population assessments for EIA purposes.
Fish Farming Monitoring
​Since 2022 OHFT have worked with the two largest aquaculture operators in the Outer Hebrides to help them fulfil the wild fish monitoring aspects of their EMP's (Environmental Monitoring Plans). EMP's which are included as planning conditions set formal requirements for operators to monitor sea lice levels on wild fish. OHFT have assisted this process by conducting monitoring work and feeding the results into a process of adaptive management.
Cockle Surveys
In 2019 OHFT were invited to carry out surveys of the cockle grounds in the Outer Hebrides and provide information on stocks of the common cockle (Cerastoderna edule).
The Outer Hebrides Regional Inshore Fisheries Group (OHRIFG) require data on the abundance and biomass of cockle stocks at various sites throughout the Hebrides
The data helps to determine whether the grounds in the intertidal areas in North Ford in North Uist and South Ford in South Uist , Luskentyre in Harris and Traigh Mhor, Barra can support a sustainable fishery for cockles, which takes account of the status of the stocks.
River Restoration
​OHFT assisted Uig Lodge with a project on the Fhorsa system in 2024. The objective of this project was to increase and enhance spawning areas for salmon. The main spawning area (between Loch Suainaval and Loch Slacsavat); had been artificially widened in the past. Willow spilling was used to create a more natural channel width and provide cover for juvenile fish. OHFT worked alongside contractors in an advisory role to help deliver the restoration work.
