SUPPORTING THE TRUST

Supporting the Trust

The Trust is funded from a variety of sources; including a grant from the Western Isles District Salmon Fisheries Board, public sector grants for specific projects, core funding and charitable donations. At the moment, pressures facing Hebridean waters have never been greater with the status of fish stocks representing this. The Trust works closely with many other interested parties and bodies to ensure a healthy and sustainable Eco-system for local and visiting anglers to enjoy, with both direct and indirect community benefits. The team at the Trust do a tremendous amount of work in research and analysis, providing data and advising on freshwater fisheries management. There are many ways you can support the Trust and help your local waters and wildlife.

Volunteering

The Trust is always looking for volunteers to join us in any of the many aspects of our field work throughout the year. If you're interested in doing your bit for the local ecosystem then please message us via email. You can find out more about our ongoing, past and new projects on the Projects page.

Volunteering

Volunteering with us is also a brilliant hands on learning experience to see exactly what it is the Trust do and accomplish. From sweep netting to angling days, restorations and clear ups.

Look After Your Local Waters and Fish

Small changes can have big results. To better help the sustainability of salmon and trout in Hebridean waters, there are a number of measures you can take.

Report disease and damaged fish
Perfect your catch and release technique to maximise fishes chances of survival
Report caught tagged sea trout
Recycle and dispose of litter appropriately
Be mindful of your water usage, especially during the warmer, drier summer months

Responsibilities

Ways You Can Donate

While not everyone is able to volunteer their time to help the Trust, it must not be forgotten that we are a small non-profit organisation and we are always looking to source extra money to fund our practical work and local projects. Below are some ways you can financially support the Trust.

Gift Aid. You can make a donation to the Trust and providing you are eligible, can also complete our Gift Aid form.
Easy Fundraising. You can register with Easy Fundraising, allowing you to raise money while you shop and the company makes the donation
Facebook. You can like our Facebook page and help inform others by liking and sharing our page and posts. There is also a donate button on our page or you can support a Non-Profit through Facebook with an event of your own. Learn More
PayPal. You can make a donation through PayPal
eBay. Donate a percentage of your sales on eBay with eBay for Charity

Ways to Donate

Other sources of funding we receive are in the form of donations from local clubs/organisations and businesses or project specific funding from bodies such as; community interest groups, environmental support groups and grant-making trusts/foundations. Recent donations and grants have been in the following forms of support:

Groundwork via Tesco Bags for Help
Scottish Salmon Company
Fideach Angling Club
Gress Angling Club
Third Sector Hebrides
E B Scotland
Lava's Garage
Lewis Tyre Centre
Local Estates
Online Auctions, Raffles and a Calendar

Catch and Release

"Catch and release is a practice within recreational fishing intended as a technique of conservation. After capture, the fish are unhooked and returned to the water. Often, a fast measurement and weighing of the fish is worthwhile." - Wikipedia

Catch and Release is an important conservative measure for Fisheries. Each local fishery and angling club can have their own guidelines on catch and release, however they do not supersede government rules. An Anglers Guide to Catch and Release provides simple and clear guidance for anglers who wish to return fish.

Each season there is a Catch and Release competition run throughout the Hebrides open to anyone of any age who has caught a salmon, sea trout or brown trout. The main requirements for the completion are that the fish is returned alive, it was in Hebridean water and there is a photo submitted to us of the fish and angler. There is a winner chosen each month of the fishing season with an over all winner being chosen at the end of the season/year. Prizes are awarded to winners.

Sponsorship and judging of the competition is from;