Small Fry Make a Big Splash in the Ballymartin River (2018)

Salmon eggs

Small fry make a big splash as local schools release salmon into the Ballymartin River as part of “Our Bright Future”.

Salmon eggs
Salmon eggs

Schools of salmon streamed into local classrooms last month in refrigerated incubators! Year 9 pupils from Abbey Community College and Hazelwood Integrated College have been hatching fish eggs with the help of Belfast Hills Partnership. These will be for release into their local Ballymartin River.

The project known as ‘Salmon in the Classroom’ gives young people a unique opportunity to learn more about the life cycle of Atlantic Salmon. Additionally, they learnt about threats to the species, the impact of pollution and the importance of looking after our rivers.

The project is part of the ‘Our Bright Future’ initiative, funded by the Big Lotter Lottery NI. Our Bright Future aims to reconnect young people to their local environment, inspiring them to learn more about nature and becoming ambassadors for the planet.

Release into the Ballymartin River

The big release came on Thursday. Young people said goodbye to their small salmon fry into the Ballymartin River. This is a tributary of the Sixmilewater that flows from the Belfast Hills and into Lough Neagh. The river has had a number of past pollution incidences which have resulted in the death of hundreds of fish. Through this project local children aim to see fish numbers increase again.

Pupils also took part in an aquatic invertebrate river survey. Using nets to catch freshwater invertebrates, which they later examined, while completing a citizen science Opal survey.

“By taking part in this hands-on conservation activity, we hope these pupils will develop a sense of pride in their local river and legacy that will hopefully be passed from generation to generation. It has been a brilliant experience for the children involved in the project with the pupils showing so much care and enthusiasm in nurturing their fish.”

Jo Boylan, Belfast Hills Partnership Youth Outreach Officer

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