THE SEA TROUT
The sea trout is a migratory fish, very much like the salmon in both appearance and habit.
It starts life by hatching from eggs laid in the gravel bed of the river and its tributaries. As a young fish it lives and feeds in the shallow riffles and pools, looking very similar to the young brown trout and salmon parr. Usually in its second year, it undergoes a dramatic change, turning from its drab browns, yellows and greys to a sparkling silver with a white belly. It migrates to the sea where its new livery camouflages it from the ever present predators.
The young sea trout grows rapidly in the coastal waters on a rich diet of shrimps and small fishes. It may then return to the river at anytime from that autumn onwards and may weigh anything from half a pound up to specimens of 12 pounds and more. The larger fish may have returned to the river many times over their lifespan of 8 years or so, a single fish giving rise to many thousands of offspring.
KEEPING TAGS ON LOCAL FISH
In the same way that we have seen a dramatic decline in salmon, sea trout stocks are also at risk of over-exploitation. Unlike the salmon, sea trout are rarely caught by high-seas fishermen, but are particularly prone to capture as they feed along coastal margins and estuaries.
Strict laws exist to protect the salmon and sea trout in our coastal waters. These laws license a small number of fishermen to undertake netting, with strict conditions which are reviewed periodically to reflect conservation needs.
However there are large numbers of sea trout and salmon taken illegally by poachers. These poachers are not only operating without licence, but also have no restrictions on net size or seasons. As a result their activities can be devastating to stocks - unlicensed, unmonitored and uncaring.
One salmon, plus numerous seatrout the result of one illegal net removed by an EA patrol
Often operating at night, the Police and Environment Agency have an ongoing, and sometimes violent struggle, to catch individuals or gangs of poachers, and bring them to justice.
By tagging all sea trout caught in this area, we are able to identify immediately whether a fish has been legally caught or not. So when you see "local sea trout" for sale, you can now be sure that they are just that, because they will sport the brightly coloured WSRT tag.
THE TAGS
The tags are brightly coloured with a different colour for each of the next 3 years:
The tags used are constructed from plastic. The end is threaded through the gill of the sea trout, out through the mouth and then clicked into the barrel lock. Each tag has a serial number which identifies to whom it was issued. It is fitted as soon as the fish is killed and remains in place until the fish is being prepared for the table. It can only be removed by cutting it, making it tamper proof.
THE BENEFITS
For the Netsmen
For local Netsmen tagging is a way of flagging-up their premium product, It readily distinguishes it from all other sea trout and is the only guarantee that a sea trout is both local and legal.
For the Retailer & Restaurant
Amongst consumers there is an increasing demand for local, quality produce. They understand the environmental problems associated with intensive aquaculture and farmed fish. They will want to support local produce, from a sustainable and ethical source. Only by selling tagged sea trout can you give them this guarantee.
For the Consumer
By insisting that any sea trout you buy is part of the tagging scheme, you will be guaranteeing that your fish is local, legally caught and genuinely wild. This means that you experience the superior quality and taste of our local sea trout, minimise on food miles, support local fishermen and help deter poaching by making their fish unsaleable. Insist on seeing the proof!
For the Angler
On the Avon last year, over 90% of rod caught sea trout were returned and we hope that this trend will continue. However there are occasions when anglers will want to take a fish home. By tagging these fish, you will be supporting the tagging scheme and helping to eliminate poaching.