Background The brown trout (Salmo trutta macrostigma) is a sub-species of fish of community interest identified in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. It is distinguished from other types of trout by its pigmentation which consists of large red spots. In France, it can de found only in Corsica and quite exclusively in the upper sectors of the catchment areas. There has been an identifiable drop in the populations of this fish in the protected areas of Corsica. A major cause of this has been increasing genetic contamination of the population from foreign-bred stock, from Atlantic sources. There has also been a deterioration in the quality and quantity of water in key areas, through hydraulic installations, dams and extraction of water at different points. Other human activity, mainly fishing, livestock farming and walking as well as fires, have also impacted on the water supply. This has caused the destruction of riverbanks and spawning grounds and added to problems caused by natural phenomena such as floods and droughts. These factors have had an important impact on the trout, as they have affected habitats and particularly blocked access to spawning streams. They have tended to isolate populations of the fish, which increases the genetic vulnerability of the sub-species. Objectives The primary objective of the project was to ensure the conservation of the significant part of remaining pure populations of salmo trutta macrostigma in Corsica and protect and restore the functionality of their habitat at seven sites where pure populations can be found. Four proposed sites of Community interest (pSCI) in the area would be extended, three protected areas established and 15 angling reserves created and controlled. The project would carry out a survey of the sites and a study of the seven pure populations and their habitats. It would also develop different semi-natural breeding methods to reinforce the declining or extinct pure populations and to test the recovery capacity of two hybridised populations. Finally, a management guide was to be produced, based on cooperation between local actors and raised awareness within the local community of the protection needs of the species and their habitats. This would set out the measures necessary to develop appropriate breeding of the fish and to reinforce population numbers and recolonize certain habitats. Results The project successfully improved the conservation of the salmo trutta macrostigma in Corsica. It led to the identification of 15 new populations of the fish during the project and a 107% increase in numbers between 2004 and 2007 and a 77% increase in biomass. The project studied the pure macrostigma populations and provided valuable scientific information about the characteristics and distribution of the macrostigma, based on data from six selected sites and genetic analysis of fish from various locations. This enabled a better protection of their natural habitat and thus of the fish themselves. It purchased fishing rights and successfully established fishing reserves covering 15 watercourses, with all fishing forbidden in four other areas. The Natura 2000 site was extended across 2 548 ha, including five rivers, thus taking in 16 of the 20 pure macrostigma populations. Further extensions to the site are planned after the project to cover the remaining newly discovered populations. An efficient surveillance network was set up to counter poaching. It led to 23 prosecutions - 18 for illegal fishing and five for trespassing. It enabled the recapture of 837 illegally caught macrostigma, of which most were at the beginning of the project. This indicates a positive impact of the surveillance on the incidence of poaching in the area. The project produced a detailed management guide for salmo trutta macrostigma (which can be downloaded from the Read More section below). The breeding programme was the only failure of this otherwise highly successful project, due to the significant lack of breeding fish in the wild, their poor condition and their inability to adapt to captivity, and was abandoned early on in the project. The LIFE project enabled an effective raising of the public’s awareness about the conservation of the fish and its high ecological value, including amongst anglers, environmental managers and children. It used materials including an exhibition, a website, a CD-Rom for schools, a film (which can be viewed form the Read More section below) and public meetings. The cooperation of the different stakeholders was crucial to the success of this project. Numerous organisations participated in the surveillance network. Importantly, the Corsican fishing federation agreed to suspend the release of Atlantic trout into the waters for three years, despite the impact of this measure on fish stocks for anglers. The different participating organisations agreed to continue a comprehensive set of conservation actions after the end of the project (see After-LIFE Conservation plan in the Read More section below). This will ensure the long-term sustainability of the gains made by the project. More detailed information may be seen in the layman's report (which can be downloaded from the "Read More" section below)