Our Method
Self contained hatchery units comprising chiller, aquarium, pump and related equipment can be installed by teachers either just before or after Christmas into an appropriate classroom location. In February approximately 100 Brown Trout or Salmon eggs can be obtained under licence from a fishery with Environment Agency or Marine Scotland 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. Advice on suppliers can be obtained from AFYD.
Funding for this project can be obtained from various sources including the Big Lottery Fund, Local Authorities, Eco School Projects and numerous other local and national bodies and charities.
The location of a hatchery unit into a school takes approximately two hours. The whole unit is unobtrusive and self contained. Details are available on the Trout in the Classroom Hyperlink below. This allows teachers to see what is involved and explain what is involved in the delivery of this environmental initiative.
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 from the USA.
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 river environment. Teachers and children find the project work involved interesting, inspiring and a valuable adjunct to the National Curriculum and Curriculum for Excellence in its refreshing approach to learning.
The Environment Agency, always enthusiastic and generous supporters of the work have become a partner in the AFYD/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 the website Trout in the Classroom
or email AFYD Administrator