So, what can we expect in 2010? My view is that we should see the sea trout numbers continue to improve. I say this on the evidence of a big increase in terms of prey biomass around Scotland’s coast. This has been recorded by SNH and it appears that there is a similar trend in Ireland and Northern England. No-one is able to explain why there should be a sudden and unexpected increase in zoo plankton, phyto-plankton, sand-eels etc . What we can say however, is that further afield in the South Norwegian Sea, things are not looking so good with a collapse in herring, blue whiting and mackerel stocks. Interactions between salmon (and to a lesser extent in the open sea) and other species tell us a lot. To summarise; close to Scotland’s shores there seems to be plenty of food, but elsewhere the situation is at best patchy. Conclusion? OK for sea trout, not so good for grilse, and possible OK for 2 sea-winter salmon and the odd 3 sea-winter salmon that survives.
Melgund Pool on Indies Beat