Research and monitoring activities

A wide range of research and monitoring activities are undertaken by IFI in the National Salmonid Index Catchment, often in collaboration with national and international research partners. These are focused on the life histories, population dynamics, migration, and marine survival of salmon and sea trout, and the concomitant influence of environmental and anthropogenic factors. The resulting output provides data to better inform the sustainable management of these stocks both in Ireland and internationally and are used to enhance our understanding of these highly-valued fish species.

Ongoing Projects

Salmonid West Project (2014-2019)

This project is investigating the migration, distribution, habitat usage, growth, survival and impacts of sea lice on sea trout and salmon smolts in the marine environment on the west coast of Ireland using acoustic telemetry.  The project aims to provide an increased understanding of salmonid ecology at sea as well as generating information to facilitate assessments of the impacts of development (e.g. windfarms, aggregate removal, finfish aquaculture) on wild salmonids in order to better inform quality environmental impact assessment and marine spatial planning. As part of Salmonid West Project, corresponding research is also ongoing in the Galway Bay region.

Spatial distribution of anadromous form of juvenile Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) from lacustrine and fluvial environments, defining their physio-chemical habitat requirements and aspects of their life history strategies

(Trevor Stafford – PhD in association with Queens University Belfast)

 This project will expand our knowledge of juvenile trout ecology by exploring their freshwater habitat preferences in their natural environment. PIT tag telemetry will be used to determine what fish choose an anadromy strategy and migrate to the sea. This data will be used as a proxy to model the spatial distribution of juvenile fry and parr throughout the Erriff catchment. Positives outweigh negatives for a migration strategy in sea trout populations, however, the species has shown great plasticity worldwide by adapting to new environments post introduction. To determine if anadromy is a plastic response triggered by the environment, a group of adfluvial resident brown trout will be introduced to a tributary lough on the catchment. Currently it is not clear the significance small streams have in the lifecycle of anadromous brown trout species and these are currently not assessed under Water Framework Directive monitoring programmes. This information will be gathered during the project lifecycle by assessing small streams as both a spawning habitat and a habitat for fry.

Alternative life histories, linking genes to phenotypes to demography (2015-2020)

(University College Cork, with IFI, QUB and MI collaboration,)

This European Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland funded project is investigating the drivers of anadromy in Salmo trutta through both field research on trout populations in the Erriff Catchment and additional laboratory research.  https://www.ucc.ie/en/eri/projects/altlife/  

Completed Projects

- Coming soon...