Using GIS for catchment management and freshwater salmon fisheries in Scotland: the DeeCAMP project

The Dee Catchment Management Planning Geographical Information System (DeeCAMP GIS) project is a partnership venture working towards integrated catchment management with a particular focus on the freshwater salmon fishery. The project uses an Arc/Info Unix-based GIS database (and user interface), incorporating topographic, geology and land use data, together with derivatives of these and other data sets, such as water-quality monitoring data and ecological field survey information. This shared database provides a useful framework for discussing, clarifying and facilitating the achievement of project objectives, whilst minimizing duplication of effort and misunderstanding. A new GIS aid for salmon managers is described and developed within the project. This illustrates how, by compiling catchment-specific data, GIS can catalyse the creation of new analytical tools that are useful for management. The GIS tool integrates stream slope and width estimates with stream locations, electrofishing survey data and local knowledge to define accessible and inaccessible stream areas for salmon in the Dee catchment, Scotland. An example data set illustrates the benefits to salmon managers (prioritizing survey effort, estimating natural spawning distribution, and identifying suitable areas for stocking with eggs or fry).