Grantee: Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust Scotland

Duration:  3 Months (June – September 2025) 

 

Background

Atlantic Salmon are listed as ‘Endangered’ in Great Britain, having declined by a projected 50-80% between 2010 and 2025. Tackling this decline requires a range of different actions, from freshwater restoration initiatives to challenging damaging marine practices and industries. 

Education is also of paramount importance to ensure future generations engage with, and care for, local river ecosystems.  

The Project

The Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust (OHFT) works to protect and enhance wild salmon populations throughout the Outer Hebrides islands, which contain 15% of the UK’s freshwater surface area.   

The Salmon in the Classroom project aims to improve primary school children’s understanding of their freshwater environment. Working with primary schools throughout North Uist, South Uist, and Benbecula, OHFT will deliver workshops on the lifecycle of salmon, highlighting the challenges facing the species and ways to minimise harm to the freshwater environment. Pupils will also have the chance to identify specimens in a freshwater tank, complete work sheets, and take part in a quiz.  

Plans to repeat this project annually will ensure that future generations have improved understanding of their freshwater environment and how they can best minimise harm to it.