The course is designed to train those who are interested in small streams on how best to monitor and characterise these small water bodies.

The rationale behind the course is outlined below:

• The course is based on a simple premise: that obtaining high-quality information on the condition of our small streams is key for catchment and fishery managers to put in place plans to protect the high quality water-courses and improve the problematic areas.
• This citizen science based training programme covers the collection of data on fauna, flora and hydromorphology (the physical structure of the stream channel). It provides volunteers with the required skills and training to walk and monitor the small streams in their particular location, both small mountain streams and discrete coastal streams.
• The objective of the assessment is not to intentionally seek out pollution points but to objectively assess the current status of small streams. In many ways identifying and highlighting the presence of pristine streams that have been little impacted by agricultural or forestry practices, is as important as identifying problems in damaged or degraded streams.
• The Institute of Fisheries Management has accredited the course and will issue a Certificate of Achievement to those who successfully complete the SSCS course.

The SSCS courses are run at various times in different areas of the country. There is no one calendar of courses. Best option is to email Ken Whelan ken@kenwhelan.info for details of what’s on and when

The Atlantic Salmon Trust, Small Streams Characterisation System – Two Days

Small Streams Characterisation System (SSCS) Course