Our Method

Self contained hatchery units comprising chiller, aquarium, pump and related equipment are installed by us either just before or after Christmas into an appropriate classroom location. In February approximately 100 Brown Trout or Salmon eggs are delivered by us with Environment Agency permission. Under teacher supervision a group of chosen children oversee the hatching, nurturing, feeding and general progress of the fry for up to 12 weeks prior to release with great ceremony into their local river. The number of fish surviving to release stage is in part dependant upon the children and others engagement with the project. In almost every case we find the scheme enthusiastically embraced by both children and teachers.

The location of a hatchery unit into a school takes approximately two hours. The AFYD and partnering organisations staff involved are very happy to give a talk to the school or class on the day allotted. This is a normal part of the service and enjoyed by all. The whole unit is unobtrusive and self contained.

Under the wing of David Bellamy, AFYD / Jetset trustee, Alan Suttie was responsible for bringing the Trout in the Classroom hatchery system to this country.

JetSet started on the River Wandle in South London as a flowing laboratory for this pioneering work. JetSet has been the leading light in the remarkable rejuvenation of the River Wandle from sewer to once again viable trout stream. It was imperative that the community and the children especially became involved in this work and trout and Salmon in the Classroom is a wonderful hands-on method of reintroducing children to their local riverine environment. Teachers and children find the project work involved interesting, inspiring and a valuable adjunct to the national curriculum in its refreshing approach to learning.

The Environment Agency, always an enthusiastic and generous supporter of the work, has become partners in Jetset Trout in the Classroom UK programme.

They are now helping AFYD/JetSet to spread this valuable socio-ecological work to schools throughout the country.

For more information about the scheme
visit our website
http://www.jetsettroutintheclassroomuk.org/

Telephone Alan Suttie
020 8640 7626

or

email:
P.C. Grev Humphrey

Tel. 0300 111 2222 and ask for PC Humphrey at Blairgowrie Police Station