Healthy population of rare fish found in area loch

THE rarest freshwater fish in the UK has been found to be thriving in a loch near Moffat.

The Vendace, which dates back to the ice age, has been found in ‘highly abundant’ numbers at Loch Skeen, which is part of the Grey Mare’s Tail nature reserve.

A survey carried out by the National Trust for Scotland with experts from the University of Glasgow discovered the healthy population.

Vendace require deep, cold, and well-oxygenated lochs to survive, and have only been known to exist at four sites across the UK: Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water in the Lake District, and the Castle and Mill Lochs in Lochmaben.

The species became extinct in Scotland during the 20th century but was successfully reintroduced to Loch Skeen in the late 1990s by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Ciaran Hatsell, head ranger at Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve, said: “The vendace is an incredibly rare and iconic species, and we are very fortunate to have them present here in the depths of Loch Skeen at Grey Mare’s Tail.

“Loch Skeen is currently the perfect environment for them, but warming temperatures could change this for the species in the future. We are therefore delighted to confirm that the population is in good health. It is a huge collaborative effort to continue protecting and conserving our places and species, and it is an honour to champion the vendace in Scotland.”

Dan Watson, senior nature conservation officer at the National Trust for Scotland, added: “The success of the vendace population at Loch Skeen is a testament to the hard work and skill of dedicated staff, volunteers and specialist contractors and highlights the trust’s role in protecting and conserving wildlife in Scotland’s changing natural environment through targeted conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and monitoring programmes.”