A LOCH Lomond fishing and environmental team is working throughout National Fishing Month to help tackle some of the fish population’s problems.

Now in the middle of the awareness month – held between July 23 and August 30 – the Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association (LLAIA) is looking to understand and improve issues facing the fish population at the famous loch.

An LLAIA spokesperson said: “Given the well-publicised environmental pressures and threats posed to our wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout populations resulting in the decreasing numbers of returning fish, the association sponsors work closely with other key stakeholders to try to understand and improve some of the issues facing our wild fish population.

“This work includes the commissioning and joint sponsorship of research by Glasgow University’s Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment in order to understand and identify issues impacting fish populations and habitat and appropriate improvement actions needed.

“The association also works closely with the Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust, local land owners and councils in relation to the removal of obstructions, fish rescues, contamination response and wider conservation and improvement projects.”

The group has also been helping out local communities using their boats to pull rubbish out of the river and waters surrounding the area.

They added: “In terms of maintenance and conservation of our rivers, estuary and Loch Lomond then in addition to day-to-day work the association also routinely organises and supports many local voluntary maintenance and clean-up activities.

“These voluntary events such as the regular ones on the River Leven and River Endrick are supported by willing members, anglers and several local litter picking voluntary groups as well as the Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust.”

Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association (LLAIA) is managed and operated entirely by volunteers, with the only paid employees being the full time LLAIA Water Bailiff team.

The association’s main aim is to provide, manage, protect, deliver and promote an extensive range of fishing across the system and make the activity available to local anglers, members and visitors to the area from the UK and internationally.