SAMARCH (SAlmonid MAnagement Round the CHannel)

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We celebrated World Wildlife Conservation day last month, which is a day dedicated to spreading awareness on the preservation of wildlife and their natural habitats. Salmon are such an important species for marine and freshwater ecosystems, and they support many other species that live within these habitats. We can spread awareness by getting involved with research, participating in engagement activities and talking to people about the threats to our wildlife and how we can help protect them. #SAMARCH#WWCD2022#WorldWildlifeConservationDay#salmon

World Fisheries Day is celebrated every year on the 21^st of November. Fishing is an example of salmon bringing value to people. Salmon contributes to the quality of life of many people as food and as a resource. Salmon fisheries themselves contribute to both. World fisheries day is an important time to focus on maintaining the world’s fisheries for healthy oceans

10^th November saw the celebration of World Science Day, so we thought we would share a fishy fact with you . Click on our infographic to find out more…

Next up for our #SAMARCH student blog is James Genge, Bournemouth University

“I was fortunate enough to be able to take part in the SAMARCH project with Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust during the summer of 2022. During my time working on the Frome, I gained valuable fieldwork experience, which included: netting, data entry, scale processing, boat/bucket hauling and general assistance. This was a hugely beneficial experience and I feel I have learned a lot about the life cycle of Salmon and Trout and the many threats to their survival, as well as coming face to face with various other species that inhabit our rivers (such as the huge Pike pictured below). It was a privilege to work alongside and learn from fisheries ecologists and experts in the field, and I would recommend this opportunity to any student interested in aquatic ecology.”

#SAMARCH#salmon#research

Next up for our #SAMARCH student blog is Tom Pollitt, Bournemouth University

“I spent nine days from the 5th September until the 14th September working for the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust as a member of their field tagging team during the summer PARR tagging work conducted on Juvenile salmonids along the River Frome in Dorset. The work is part of the SAMARCH project. This experience was incredibly eye opening as it enabled me to participate in the methods of such field work, seeing first-hand how fish tagging is carried out. The SAMARCH program provides invaluable data on the health of salmonid populations.”

#buresearch#salmon#SAMARCH#riverfrome

It was great to showcase the work of @carlosfinlay and myself at a virtual online gallery on the gather platform with WildHub.

The event focussed on how we can use art for conservation, and I spoke about how we use our colouring sheets to engage with the public about salmon conservation at online and in person events! 

The online gallery is open for all, you just need to become a member of Wildhub to view it: https://wildhub.community/posts/sharing-the-love-with-art-conservation

#SAMARCH#art#conservation#salmon#virtual#gather#gallery

Next up for our #SAMARCH student showcase is Theresa Joy:

“I did my placement at SAMARCH as part of my placement from 1-10 May 2022. It was a very pleasant experience. Everyone was so helpful and supported throughout the placement. They explained the project, the way we work, and also the possible ways to find a good job in our field of study. The accommodation was very neat and comfortable. In short, the placement days at SAMARCH was a memorable experience.”

Bournemouth University#buresearch#placement#SAMARCH#fieldwork#riverfrome

Joins us in celebrating the World Salmon Day 2022 on 8^th October! This poster will be circulated on social media and other platforms and will encourage kids to colour-in the salmon life cycle.

Our next student showcase is Tom Holland.

For a week starting on the 11th of April, I assisted in SAMARCH’s annual smolt run. On my shifts I took part in gathering important data of both Salmon and Trout as they moved downstream. This included catching the fish, recording their size and weight, and then releasing them once they had recovered from the anaesthetic. Over the week I completed four night and three day shifts, with the weather being much milder than I remember it being last year. Overall I really enjoyed my placement opportunity as it allowed me to work in a field I had no previous experience of while also allowing me to test myself working night shifts and to see whether this is a potential area I could have a career in the future.