WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND HERRING SURVEY KICKS OFF

West coast of Scotland herring survey kicks off. The West of Scotland Herring Hunt (WOSHH) 2023 spring-spawning herring field work season has begun with shore-based environmental (e)DNA sampling. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is the DNA, shed by an organism (e.g., scales, excrement, etc.) or whole microorganisms, present in the environment. eDNA from water samples can be extracted, sequenced and linked back to species that were in the area. This makes it a potentially powerful, non-invasive tool to detect elusive spawning herring shoals through shore-based sampling.

The method was first trialled last spring at 3 different locations off Wester Ross by members of the community. The method was successful at detecting herring DNA in the water. WOSHH will once again be collecting eDNA samples with members of the community in Wester Ross, as well as Skye and Arran. Go say hello if you see them out bundled up collecting seawater.

WOSHH seeks to bridge newly generated scientific information with local ecological knowledge (including historical) to identify and produce evidence for the conservation and restoration of herring spawning habitat on the west coast of Scotland.

How WOSHH wants to achieve this

• collect habitat information working with Scottish west coast communities, organisations, industry, and individuals, from the Clyde to Cape Wrath and the Hebrides
• invite citizen scientists to join in on “herring hunts” to report signs of spawning using a forthcoming “Herring Hunt” web app
• tap into historical local ecological knowledge (e.g., from the last “herring boom” days) across the whole of the Scottish west coast
• study the role of complex seabed substrate (e.g., maerl) for reproductive success
• investigate historical herring catches, temperature and climatic anomalies to learn from the past and help predict future trends
• promote co-management and dialogue between marine stakeholders within inshore waters where space is limited
• champion the integration of essential spawning habitat into management measures

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