Celtic Sea Trout Project

The sea trout is the migratory form of the brown trout that migrates to sea to feed and returns to rivers to spawn. The sea trout is a popular target fish in both recreational and commercial fisheries around the Irish Sea. Unfortunately, environmental impacts threaten the composition and status of sensitive sea trout stocks. Their complex ecology and their widespread occurrence make sea trout a unique and useful indicator of environmental change across diverse habitats spanning rivers and coastal waters.

The Celtic Sea Trout Project investigated major questions about sea trout and their distribution at sea, marine ecology, life histories and exposure to environmental pressures. The project aimed to use this knowledge to inform fishery management and enhance the societal benefits of sea-trout conservation for countries bordering the Irish Sea.