Restoring salmon and sea trout

The Atlantic Salmon Trust is working in partnership with Grosvenor’s Reay Forest Estate to restore salmon and sea trout populations in the River Laxford, historically one of the Highlands’ most renowned and productive rivers. This dynamic ten-year study, which is also supported by Marine Scotland Science and West Sutherland Fisheries Trust, aims to better understand the River Laxford catchment and to restore the numbers of wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout – a barometer for the health of the whole ecosystem – by improving the quality and habitat of the river. The scheme is the AST’s first catchment restoration project, which includes the whole river from its source to sea. Being under single ownership, this avoids any conflicts of interest and optimising the positive impacts of the works.