The Spey Fishery Board (SFB) announced today the appointment of a new Biologist to head the Spey Foundation’s research team in the New Year. The Spey Foundation’s current Biologist will assume a new role to be shared between the Spey Foundation and the Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trust (FNLFT).

SFB and Spey Foundation Director Roger Knight said, “We are delighted to announce that Brian Shaw, currently the Senior Biologist with the Ayrshire Rivers Trust, will join the Spey Foundation in the New Year. Our current Biologist, Bob Laughton, is also to be congratulated on his new appointment with FNLFT. This will enhance the scientific advice available to all four rivers and enable us all to meet new challenges in fishery management.”

Seymour Monro, Chairman of FNLFT, said, “I am thrilled to announce that Bob Laughton will become our Director and Biologist. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge of all three of our rivers and their catchments, as well as years of experience in fishery management. Although he will be sharing his time between the Trust and the Spey Foundation, it heralds the start of an exciting new era for FNLFT.”

Mr Knight went on, “Recent advances in fishery management have meant that operations that have hitherto been routinely undertaken by District Salmon Fishery Boards must now be backed by sound scientific advice. Indeed, many of our activities now need scientific justification and, in some cases, special assessments for and licensing by the Scottish Government. All four rivers need enhanced scientific advice if they are to be managed credibly and effectively and these new appointments will enhance our ability to achieve our objectives.”

Brian Shaw was born in Grantown-on-Spey in 1963 and spent twenty years in the fish farming industry before moving to the Ayrshire Rivers Trust five years ago. A keen angler with experience of fishing the Spey, he has always wanted to return to his roots and is thoroughly looking forward to joining the Spey Foundation. Bob Laughton lives in Forres and will still be actively involved with the Spey, but is equally keen to help the FNLFT address the challenges it faces. We wish both of them every success with their new appointments.