River surveys to start

SURVEY work will start soon along the River Nith. It is being carried out by the Nith Catchment Fishery Trust as part of environmental survey works for the Whitesands Flood Protection Scheme. Work may include electrofishing to monitor young salmon and lamprey, kick sampling for aquatic invertebrates and checks for species such as fresh water pearl mussels, American signal crayfish, and water voles. These surveys are expected to continue into the autumn, with timings carefully chosen to suit each species. An important part will be surveying for invasive plant species such as giant hogweed, which can cause skin blistering on contact especially in exposure to the sun. The public, and dog walkers in particular, are being asked to keep clear of giant hogweed and to report any sightings to the trust.