Happy New Year

I would like to start this post by wishing all members and their families a very Happy New Year, and all the best for 2026.

Stocking Update

From Graham Mackenzie

Brian and I went to the hatchery this morning to have a look at the Ness broodstock, none of which had been stripped as of yesterday. We were shown two tanks containing cock and hen fish. All of the hens were examined and three were selected as possibly being ready for stripping.

These hens were removed from the main tank and placed into a smaller tank, where they were anaesthetised prior to being stripped. Eggs from each fish were placed into three separate bowls, making nine bowls in total. The hens were then moved into another tank with fresh water to recover and will be returned to the River Ness after Christmas.

Three cocks were then selected and their milt was added to the bowls and mixed with the eggs. The cocks were returned to the main holding tank, as they can be used again in the same way.

I have attached a few photos of the process. I took over 50, but can only send a selection with this email; hopefully they will give you an idea of the procedure.

There were approximately 17,000 eggs in total from the three hens, which represents around 25% of the total hens held. As there are still a few large hens yet to be stripped, we are expecting a final total of approximately 80,000 eggs.

It is thought that the remaining hens will not be ready until later in the year, with some possibly holding on into the New Year.

All the best,
Graham