Building Capacity through Training
Fisheries Management Scotland and the Scottish Fisheries Coordination Centre (SFCC) offer a wide range of training opportunities to support evidence-based fisheries management.
We deliver training to our member organisations and also welcome participants from outside the membership, including environmental consultants, academics, and other professionals. Upcoming courses are listed in our calendar below, and you can explore the types of training we offer through our course gallery.
We also develop bespoke training packages in collaboration with our members. If you cannot find a course that meets your needs, please get in touch — we may be able to create a tailored solution.
Training Courses
Electrofishing
Electrofishing is a technique used by scientists to study fish populations in rivers and lakes. It involves using highly specialised equipment to send a small electric current through the water, which temporarily stuns the fish without harming them. This makes it easier for biologists to catch the fish, measure them, and then release them back into the water. The process is safe for both the fish and the people conducting the study when carried out by trained operators, and we offer instruction on this capture method through the Scottish Fisheries Coordination Centre. Electrofishing helps scientists gather important data about fish species, their numbers, and their health, which is crucial for managing and conserving aquatic ecosystems.
The Scottish Government have run a National Electrofishing Programme for Scotland to assess juvenile populations, and have produced an associated electrofishing analysis tool for our members to interpret their survey results.
We offer three courses; a two-day introductory course, a three day team leader course, and a one day team leader refresher.
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Scale Reading
Fish can be aged by examining their scales under a microscope. As they grow, “rings” are laid down in their scales. By examining the patterns of banding in these rings, the age of fish can be determined. We run a course in scale reading once per year, and the course covers a range of topics from preparation of scales and mounting onto acetate, storage, different types of equipment and interpretation of river and sea ages.
Freshwater Pearl Mussel Surveying
The Freshwater Pearl Mussel is a critically endangered species in Scotland and a priority feature in many Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). These remarkable mussels, some of which can live for over 100 years, play a vital role in maintaining healthy rivers. However, populations have suffered dramatic declines due to habitat loss, pollution, and historic exploitation.
Freshwater Pearl Mussels have a unique symbiotic relationship with salmon and trout, as part of their life cycle involves attaching to the gills of young fish. Fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is illegal to disturb, injure, take, or kill them. Yet despite this protection, illegal pearl fishing still occurs, threatening the survival of remaining populations.
Our training provides essential skills in the safe handling of mussels, alongside an overview of their life cycle and ecology. Participants will also learn about techniques such as checking for glochidia development and artificial encystment, which are used in conservation projects to help increase juvenile survival and secure the future of this endangered species.
Habitat Surveying
Fish habitat is widely variable in Scotland, with different species having different preferences. There are multiple methods of classifying river habitats, from Cragg-Hine to RHS and RiverMORPH. Determining the quality of habitats is key as river managers may want to identify areas which have been negatively impacted by human activities and undertake restoration actions. We teach the SFCC Walkover Survey which focuses on habitat for salmonid fish. The protocol is currently under review to incorporate GIS data collection methods.
Invertebrates
Scottish Rivers support a large number of invertebrate species, which are key to our ecosystems. Not only will they be food for fish, but they can also act as indicators of good ecosystem health. Certain species are more sensitive to pollution for example, and their presence in a stretch of river infers that there would not have been any recent pollution events. We have offered training for our members in the past on kick-sampling, a widely used methodology to collect river invertebrates. This training was delivered by Buglife Scotland.
Water Bailiff Training
Working with the Institute of Fisheries Management, we deliver a series of annual examinations for prospective water bailiffs. The water bailiff training course is the learning resource to support examination candidates. The aim of the course is to ensure that individuals who may be appointed as a water bailiff by a district salmon fishery board or Scottish Ministers can demonstrate a range of competencies. This includes, for example an understanding of the statutory powers of water bailiffs, collection and storage of evidence, enforcement protocols and court procedures. If you are interested in undertaking water bailiff training, please use our Register Your Interest form below and we will put you in contact with the trainer.
Training for Police Scotland and Procurator Fiscals
As part of our objective to improve the understanding of fish poaching, we facilitate training days with Police Scotland and the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service. These are designed to provide a more in-depth understanding of the fisheries legislation, the enforcement structure and to promote joint working between water bailiffs and Police Scotland.