In partnership with the Salmon Scotland Wild Fisheries Fund and the Argyll Fisheries Trust, Otter Ferry Seafish has joined forces with Scotland’s salmon farming sector in a pioneering conservation effort to protect and restore wild Atlantic salmon populations.
The River Ruel Wild Salmon Living Gene Bank Project (2024–28) is one of seven major environmental initiatives supported by a significant industry commitment through the Salmon Scotland Wild Fisheries Fund. Led locally by the Argyll Fisheries Trust, the project aims to develop a live gene bank for wild salmon on Scotland’s west coast.
Otter Ferry Seafish began contributing to the project in autumn 2024. The team provides hatchery capacity and expertise to evaluate how hatchery-based strategies might mitigate marine-phase losses in wild salmon populations. As part of a broader collaboration with the River Ruel Improvement Association and Argyll Fisheries Trust, Otter Ferry is rearing wild-caught salmon parr from the River Ruel to maturity under controlled conditions.
The project will assess the effectiveness of releasing mature adult salmon back to the river and using fertilised ova to improve recruitment of young salmon and support the resilience of future generations. Insights from genetic studies will also contribute to strategies for managing significant population declines in small river systems.
The project's key objectives include:
- Collecting wild salmon parr from the River Ruel
- Rearing them to sexual maturity under hatchery conditions
- Maintaining a genetically diverse broodstock to support wild populations as needed
This approach supports both smolt recruitment and the long-term genetic health of the River Ruel’s salmon population. It stands as a powerful example of conservation-led aquaculture, where scientific research and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
Through its role in this project, Otter Ferry Seafish continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, species preservation, and collaborative innovation in marine stewardship.
