Loch Maree - Ecology

Ecology

Loch Maree is of international importance for its special wildlife and biodiversity. Until recently, thousands of adult sea trout (Sea going Brown trout Salmo trutta) and salmon (Salmo salar) returned to the loch from the sea every summer. Sea trout gathered in huge numbers in certain bays, providing some of the most exciting angling in Scotland for which the loch had an international reputation. A British record sea trout of 19.5 lb was caught on a 'dapping fly' in the loch in 1952. The sea trout fishery collapsed in the 1990s and has yet to recover fully.

Sea trout and salmon are an important part of Loch Maree's ecosystem providing food for Black-throated diver and Otter (Lutra lutra) for which the loch is a designated Special Area of Conservation and Special Protected Area under the EU Habitats Directive. Juvenile trout can be an important part of the diet of Black-throated diver.

The loch also has two separate populations of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) about which little is known. One form of charr, with a big eye which feeds on the bottom in deep water matures at less than 15 cm. The other form grows to over 32 cm and can sometimes be seen in shoals ruffling the surface when the loch is calm.

Loch Maree was designated a Ramsar site on September 19, 1994.

The area also hosts the Golden Eagle.