Visit to Movanagher Trout Farm, Tuesday 19th January 2016
Bio Diversity Team students travelled to the DCAL fish farm on the banks of the River Bann in County Antrim. The event was chosen by Bio Team students interested in angling for sport and recreation. Mrs McIvor arranged the day with the support of Mr John Kane from DCAL. Students were also accompanied by Mr Edgar, Science.
Students were met Mr John Kane, Mr Peter Simpson and Mr Timothy Delargy at Movangher Trout Farm and after a site safety talk students were instructed in the techniques used to strip rainbow trout of their eggs pre-fertilisation. Georgia, Elaine, Sara and Brendan were willing to try the techniques and did so like professionals! Alanna enjoyed prepping the anaesthetised fish. Students were given a tour of the facility to look at all stages of the trout lifecycle. Nathan and Matthew said they enjoyed the tour as it was ‘interesting and interactive’. Georgia and Elaine noted they would happily consider a career in this type of work. Lauren, Maeve, Amy and Jack enjoyed catching the 1 year old trout using nets and Clara successfully fed the fish after her first attempt!
Later students travelled to Ballymoney to see the progress made by the engineers redesigning the river channel to improve the riverside park facilities and introducing new species of flora and fauna as part of a river restoration project. Clara commented, ‘It has been a very educational experience’. Students crossed a number of rivers on their journey the Upper Bann, Lagan, Lower Bann and River Main stopping at McDonald’s at Sprucefield on their way home for some food, refreshments and a chat about the day. No fish was ordered from the menu! New-Bridge Bio Diversity Team has been invited to join DCAL at the River Bush Salmon Festival in September.
MV & Bio D Team