Falklands Conservation

The Falklands Zebra Trout is seriously endangered. It is one of two freshwater fish native to the Falkland Islands. Numbers are continuing to decline as many fishermen cannot distinguish it from other species. To raise awareness of its plight and aid identification Falklands Conservation wants to produce a freshwater fish wall chart. £7,000 is needed to produce this and we are asking for your help to reach this target. This project forms part of our conservation programme for 2003, the International Year of Fresh Water.

About the Zebra Trout
Charles Darwin collected the first specimens of the Zebra Trout (Aplochiton zebra) in the Falklands in 1833. Early settlers found it was abundant throughout the Islands, was not shy and easily caught on hook and line. It formed a regular and very welcome supplement to the diet of many a lonely shepherd. However the introduction of the Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) to Falkland waters in the 1940s had a particularly harmful impact on the Zebra Trout, which has suffered a massive decline in both its numbers and geographical range. It has all but disappeared from waters where Brown Trout have become established. A survey in 1999 located a number of key habitats and breeding areas where populations still exist. It concluded that Zebra Trout very rarely co-exists with the aggressive Brown Trout which predates upon it.

The Freshwater Fish Wall Chart
A wall chart describing Falklands freshwater fish will help prevent the taking of Zebra Trout by mistake and raise awareness of this conservation crisis. In full colour it will feature high quality original scientific drawings of all 6 Falkland freshwater fish including marine visitors to freshwater habitats, describing each species with its local name, scientific name, known distribution and conservation status.

The outstanding 'sea-trout fishing' of the Falkland Islands has become widely recognised. It is an up and coming tourism destination for fishing holidays. Fishing is also a popular pastime with local people, but there is much confusion over locally used common names. The wall chart aims to address these audiences in particular, but also to inform all Islanders, young and old, military based at Mount Pleasant, and the increasing number of visitors to the Falklands. The chart will be widely displayed throughout the Falkland Islands including its schools, public library, post office, airports and all tourist destinations. 500 copies will be produced with some available for sale.

An Appeal for Funds
The cost of implementing this project is £7,000, which includes commissioning of original art work, production, printing and delivery to the Islands. Funds are now urgently being sought to meet these costs. Please help us to implement this important project and save the Zebra Trout from extinction in the Islands.

Please donate to this project by printing out, completing and posting the Appeal Form (149kb PDF file).
For further information go to "Conserving and Managing the Falkland Islands Freshwater Fishes"

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