Cubes mimic salmon and migrate upriver
Nov 18 2008 by Francesca Craggs, The Journal
OVER the past 10 months, you will have seen the Tyne Salmon Trail cubes migrating along the River Tyne, mimicking the journey of the magnificent Tyne salmon.
From their early beginning back in December last year, the young salmon made their way downstream to the mouth of the Tyne, dodging debris and jumping weirs to navigate out to sea. At sea, the salmon will have grown and matured, in preparation for the tough journey back to their birthplace.
And it is this amazing journey the Tyne Salmon Trail has been celebrating. Ten cubes, representing the changing colours, patterns, texture and journey of the salmon, began their own journey back in December 2007. Beginning at Kielder, the birthplace of salmon since Kielder dam was erected, the cubes have followed the journey of the salmon, down the North Tyne, meeting the South Tyne at Acomb, just north of Hexham.
The cubes have stopped at Falstone, Prudhoe, Hexham and Newcastle Quayside before ending the first leg of the journey at the mouth of the Tyne.
After resting here for a month, they retraced their steps back up the Tyne and have now come to rest at Kielder Castle. All cubes are on display just outside Kielder Castle. Leaflets can be found in the castle to give you more information about the project, the River Tyne and the Tyne salmon.
Kielder Castle is just one of the many attractions at Kielder Water and Forest Park. You can also visit the Birds of Prey Centre, try your hand at one of the many water sports on offer or visit the new Kielder Salmon Centre.
The centre was opened in August and has brought together environ- mental education with one of the best salmon breeding centres in the United Kingdom. It boasts a great new visitor centre, where you can learn about freshwater eco-systems, the life cycle of salmon and the history of the centre. Outside, you can look at the new freshwater pearl mussel breeding beds, designed by artist Joe Hillier and Environment Agency staff, to improve the reproduction of pearl mussels, a species that has been struggling to survive in the Tyne Valley. The centre is open seven days a week and is free of charge.
The Kielder Salmon Centre was opened 30 years ago to compensate for the loss of important breeding habitat caused by the construction of the Kielder dam. Since then the hatchery has become a centre of excellence for the rearing of salmon and other protected species like Ennerdale char and freshwater pearl mussels.
Environment Agency fisheries team leader Jim Heslop said: “The revamped Kielder Salmon Centre provides visitors with a great opportunity to learn about freshwater ecosystems and the extraordinary life cycle of species like salmon and freshwater pearl mussels.
“We hope the conservation work carried out by the Environment Agency will inspire people to get more involved with their local environment, whether it is through fishing, conservation work or simply getting out there and enjoying it.”
Now that the Tyne Salmon Trail project is drawing to an end, the Environment Agency is looking for a home for some of the cubes. There has been interest from local councils, individuals inspired by the cubes and other people from all over the country interested in recreating the journey of the salmon on other rivers. The agency is keen for the cubes to go to a good home, where they will be looked after; in return it is asking for a small donation to an environmental project.
For more information contact Elizabeth Bunting on tel: (0191) 203-4065.
