The Maitland Files
A serialised interview with an international char expert.

Q. Arctic Charr are not listed under the new EU habitats directive. Although as a species they are not threatened world wide, should more vulnerable populations be protected?

A. Yes! As just mentioned, because we are a stronghold for this species in Europe we have a major duty to protect our populations of Arctic Charr. Parallel examples of other animals range from the Freshwater Pearl Mussel to the Otter, both of which, although they are still quite common in Scotland, are given substantial protection through the Habitats Directive. Thus many Special Areas of Conservation are being created for them in Scotland - but unfortunately none for Arctic Charr, which I believe is an equally deserving species.

Q. Ireland and Scotland have a lot in common, not to mention the occurrence of Arctic Charr. What do you see as the biggest threat to the survival facing the species in Ireland and Scotland into the new millennium.

A. Many of the previous threats which have destroyed our charr populations remain, for example: acidification (Loch Grannoch), eutrophication and water level changes (Loch Leven), overfishing (St Mary's Loch) and fish introductions (Loch Heldale).

However, two more recent threats give me greater concern for the future - charr farming, which is likely to destroy the genetic integrity of those stocks where escapes (or releases) of domesticated or foreign stocks occur; and global warming, which may well eliminate our more southerly and low altitude stocks, especially those in shallow lochs.