For the first time ever, anglers can access detailed online maps of the remote rural area of Assynt through a new interactive web guide which uses Ordnance Survey digital mapping technology.
This online OS fishing map dedicated to Assynt, North West Scotland is the first of its kind and could pave the way for other rural areas in the UK to develop their own collaborative web maps for fishing.
Anglers can click on markers for particular lochs, rivers or sea fishing spots, posting comments about the best lochs they have fished, tackle they used, what they caught and their experience of fishing in the area. Photos can be uploaded and added to map markers helping anglers build a useful visual record of the area.
The result is a live, comprehensive web guide to fishing in Assynt - with over 75 lochs and many river and sea fishing locations in the area mapped - generating up-to-date information about the top places to fish. The tool will help inform local groups about who is fishing where and what they are catching.
The website is part of case study research on Angling in Assynt, with anglers also being encouraged to complete an online survey and online catch returns. The research aims to gather information on both anglers’ experiences in Assynt, what they spend and what they catch. Very little is known about the role that angling plays in rural communities and social research co-operative Substance has developed the mapping tool as part of their wider research into the Social and Community Benefits of Angling which is supported by the Big Lottery Fund.
Dr Adam Brown, Director of Substance, who is leading the research, commented: “We want as many anglers as possible to add their knowledge to this mapping tool and take part in our catch return and Assynt angling surveys. We’re using Assynt as a case study to provide evidence of the positive role that angling can play in rural communities and by contributing, anglers can support angling development in this remote area.”
Visit www.assynt.anglingresearch.org.uk for more details.
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