Echoview Software is proud to lead the hydroacoustics efforts for the Windermere Arctic Charr Project (UK), which addresses concerns about declining Arctic charr populations in Lake Windermere.
The project is being led by the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) and involves the following partners:
- Echoview
- Blueprint Subsea
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
- University of Hull
- Colin Bean - Honorary Professor at University of Glasgow
- University of Highlands & Islands)
- Institute of Fisheries Management
- Lake District National Park Authority
- Westmorland & Furness Council
- Environment Agency (fisheries management)
Windermere is the largest natural lake in England. It historically supported one of England’s few native populations of Arctic charr (Maitland et al., 2006), a species of local cultural importance (Winfield et al., 2019). The Windermere charr population was once routinely surveyed using hydroacoustics (e.g., Winfield et al., 2007), but the availability of recent data is limited, and there are concerns about its current status due to pressures such as eutrophication (Winfield et al., 2015; Miller et al., 2014; Elliott et al., 1996), climate change (Kelly et al., 2020), and competition from non-native species (Winfield et al., 2008).
While there are concerns about the status of Arctic charr in Lake Windermere, there is currently insufficient evidence to support informed decision-making and conservation efforts. The Windermere Arctic Charr Project aims to address this by developing new monitoring and assessment protocols that will help fill knowledge gaps and guide future strategies. For further information, please visit the FBA website here.
Simon Johnson, Executive Director, FBA said, “Arctic charr are truly unique and are of global ecological and cultural significance…With our partners, we want to start a research and species recovery programme.”
Echoview will work with the project team to develop innovative, non-invasive survey methods using sonar and eDNA techniques. As part of this effort, Echoview will deploy a multibeam imaging sonar on a static mount to monitor the presence and behavior of autumn-spawning Arctic charr.
Sonar Trials
A sonar trial is scheduled for mid-October, with additional eDNA and sonar monitoring planned for late November to align with the prime spawning season, depending on weather and temperature conditions.
Project Findings
The insights gained from this project will contribute to shaping the Lake District Rare Fish Conservation Programme. Findings will be disseminated through symposia, workshops, peer-reviewed journals, and the FBA website.
