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The cultural importance and international recognition of the Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus populations of Windermere, UK

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Abstract

The Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus populations of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake in the Lake District of north-west England, have been studied since the 1940s. However, the species’ cultural importance has a much longer history and these populations have been fished since 1223. As early as 1660, Arctic charr were exploited in a high-profile commercial net fishery and greatly enjoyed by locals and in a ‘potted’ form by wealthier members of UK society. However, overfishing led to substantially decreased catches and commercial netting was stopped in 1921. Local fishing for Arctic charr persists to the present as a small recreational plumb-line fishery using artificial lures. These fishing activities and resulting catches have long held great cultural interest for the local community and visiting national and international tourists. The cultural importance of the Arctic charr populations of Windermere has recently been the subject of national media interest that culminated in a 2017 documentary film highlighting environmental issues facing the Arctic charr and also celebrating the role of this iconic species in the cultural life of Windermere. In addition, international recognition of the Arctic charr populations of Windermere also contributed to the Lake District becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017.

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Acknowledgements

We thank many CEH colleagues including Janice Fletcher and Ben James for their work in the field and laboratory over recent decades within numerous scientific projects which have advanced our understanding, management and appreciation of the Arctic charr populations of Windermere. Graeme McKee of the Environment Agency and the Arctic charr anglers of Windermere have also made substantial contributions through their operation of the Windermere Arctic Charr Anglers’ Log Book Scheme and we thank them for allowing us to use their data. Liz Davey of the Environment Agency kindly provided useful information in relation to Windermere Reflections. We are also grateful to the Freshwater Biological Association for their joint stewardship of the Windermere long-term data sets and to Carol Davies, Rachel Roberts and Brian Fell of Kendal Museum, Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry and Brian Fell Sculpture & Metalwork, respectively, for helping us into the world of cultural importance and recognition. Finally, we thank Steven Barber for his kind permission to use his photograph of the magnificent Arctic charr sculpture at Ambleside. Components of the research and other activities underpinning this story were funded by Environment Agency, Lake District National Park Authority, Natural England, Natural Environment Research Council, United Utilities and Wildsmith Hotels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lake Ecosystems Group, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, LA1 4AP, Lancaster, UK

    Ian J. Winfield

  2. Richard Berry Film & Photography, Kendal, LA9 6JN, Cumbria, UK

    Richard Berry

  3. Henry Iddon Photography, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 2WS, Lancashire, UK

    Henry Iddon

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  1. Ian J. Winfield
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  2. Richard Berry
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  3. Henry Iddon
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Correspondence to Ian J. Winfield.

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Guest editors: C. E. Adams, C. R. Bronte, M. J. Hansen, R. Knudsen & M. Power / Charr Biology, Ecology and Management

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Winfield, I.J., Berry, R. & Iddon, H. The cultural importance and international recognition of the Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus populations of Windermere, UK. Hydrobiologia 840, 11–19 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3814-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3814-6

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