Source: The Herald Scotland by David Ross

Stopping the introduction of pike into Scottish lochs for fishing could help ensure the future of one of Scotland's rarest and most beautiful birds, according to research by RSPB Scotland.

However, an angling organisation has cast doubt on the findings.

The Slavonian grebe only began breeding in the UK in 1908 and its population today remains largely restricted to northern Scotland, where latest counts have shown only 29 breeding pairs remain.

Around half of the UK population of Slavonian grebes breed at Loch Ruthven, 16 miles south-west of Inverness, where the RSPB has a nature reserve.

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I don't see why it is suggested anglers are at odds,the introduction of pike should not be allowed, same as the minnow, introductions of non native species is and should remain banned.

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Malcolm
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Quot homines tot sententiae

The most important part of this story is about stopping the spread of the non-native minnow in Scotland as stated by George Holdsworth ,owner of North third reservoit fishery.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Continued:



I would dispute the statement by George Holdsworth, Scottish policy officer for the Salmon & Trout Association who: "expressed surprise the report found lochs containing pike had fewer small fish". He said: "Most other research does not support these findings."

The pike is also not native to Scotland; although they have been present for a long time. Minnows are also 'INNS' status (Invasive non-native speciies) for the Highlands and Islands. Sticklebacks, being anadromous are native.

I'm stunned at the Scottish S&ATA pro pike stance and view that "Most other research does not support these findings."

I think an explanation is required and it needs to be a good one.

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Save the softmouth trout

There is a loch about eighty acres a few miles from Perth that had for many years several breeding pairs of grebes. These have gone because of the otters same as all the other water birds. The same estate also had lots of caper which have also died out thanks to town foxes being let go there.

Good to see that the RSPB are aware that some species need controlling to allow others to thrive and that a balance has to be maintained.

Might we now perhaps be allowed to apply the same reasoned approach to cormorant, goosander and merganser populations?

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strikealight


Dynamite fishing is always effective.

What rubbish journalism. There's nothing in the article to suggest that the S&T would have any problem at all with preventing pike being stocked. There is also nothing in the article to suggest the RSPB would want to stock minnows into lochs.

Honestly, I read the papers every day, and sometimes I have no idea why.

How long does a species have to be breeding in a country before we consider it native? And were pike not introduced long before grebes showed up?

Everyone has their own agenda. The bird folk will always be Pro bird and anglers will always be pro fishing, therefore articles and facts will always be biased.

If it found its way there anytime after man's arrival, then the answer is "never".


Pike, it is thought, could have found their way to the region 2,000/3,000 years ago, either as a food species, or as individual acts of retribution... as is still the case in modern Reindeer herder society.

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Save the softmouth trout

Why worry about something, that should not be happening. Must have been a slow day at the news desk.

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All that glitters, will catch anglers.