THE SPAWNING MIGRATION AND CONSERVATION OF SMELT OSMERUS-EPERLANUS INTHE RIVER-CREE, SOUTHWEST SCOTLAND

The anadromous smelt Osmerus eperlanus population associated with the River Cree on the Solway Coast, southwest Scotland, is the only one re maining from several which previously occurred in that area. Their spa wning migration was studied as a basis for conservation and management proposals. The timing and location of the onset of spawning in Februa ry/March was determined by regular inspection of the river bed for sme lt eggs. The thermal regime in the lower river during preceding weeks is considered the primary factor in initiating spawning, but prevailin g temperature, tide and flow conditions determine exactly where and wh en. Several local factors must be addressed for future conservation an d management, e.g. commercial netting, pollution and the present physi co-chemical character of the river. The reintroduction of smelt to oth er rivers on the Solway Coast should now be seriously considered. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.