River Spey Education
The Spey Foundation and the Spey Fishery Board actively support education projects at primary, secondary levels. Educational activities include the “Salmon go to School” project, student projects and work placements. Study visits are also welcomed to the river and the Boards various facilities.
These activities are usually managed through the Spey Foundation. If you would like more information, please contact us at admin@speyfisheryboard.com
Primary Schools
The “Salmon in the Classroom” project has proved to be very popular with local primary schools. Pupils in participating schools receive a presentation on the River Spey which includes details of the fish species present, the life cycle of the Salmon and its importance to the local economy. Pupils are then provided with a classroom incubator and with salmon eggs from our hatchery and encouraged to look after them until they hatch. This part of the project culminates with the release of fry by the pupils into a nearby burn. After allowing the fry to feed in the burn for a few months, we return to electrofish the burn to see how much the fish have grown and changed.
Invertebrate sampling is a fun, outdoor-based lesson, where the pupils have a great excuse to get their wellies on and get into the river! They learn the basic techniques involved in sampling invertebrates and get the chance to practice their identification techniques and see how healthy their local river is.
Secondary Schools
For pupils at secondary school, we will happily contribute to lessons in relevant subjects to our work, with the aim of adding a new aspect to learning and giving real examples of where classroom learning can be applied in the field.
Work experience placements are offered to local secondary school pupils. Pupils can expect to gain experience of fisheries survey techniques, as well as data collection and analysis. In recent years pupils from Grantown Grammar School, Kingussie High School, Speyside High School, Forres Academy, Nairn Academy, Lossiemouth High School, and Buckie Academy have joined the Spey staff for one-week placements. For further information contact the office on 01340 810841 or email admin@speyfisheryboard.com.
Student Projects and Work Experience
The Spey Foundation regularly supports student projects and work experience placements. Students from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Napier, Northumbria and the Open University have completed projects in the past across a range of fishery related topics and levels including Diploma, BSc, MSc and PhD levels. In the past, students from DeMontford University and Sparsholt have also enjoyed work experience placements.
Any students interested in developing projects or seeking work placements should contact the office on 01340 810841 or email admin@speyfisheryboard.com.
