Fishermen and scientists in the River Soča basin in Slovenia have been working hard for more than 15 years to preserve and rehabilitate populations of the endangered genetically pure Marble trout in the upper parts of Soča basin, that have disappeared over the years of hybridization with Brown trout. Since the discovery of this fact, a EU funded international project is under way. A team of fishkeepers and scientists have so far found eight remaining genetically pure populations of Marble Trout, very isolated and small. They are now using them for research and captive breeding program, where they create new pure populations. These new pure Marble Trout are put as naturally as possible into new streams empty of Brown Trout, and in hybridization zones on the Soča river, where they monitor how pure Marble Trout might prevail over hybrids and Brown Trout. Their success in increasing the percentage of Marble Trout DNA gives hope of one day bringing the pure Marble Trout back into Soča river and its tributaries. More info and photos at: www.lukadakskobler.com

• published: 04 Nov 2013
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