A real boost for River Tay New agreement will also help Garry
Claire Mercar Nairne and JIm Smith SSE Generations managing director get the salmon season underway on the Tay Yesterday’s opening of the salmon fishing season at Meikleour was boosted by news that a section of the River Garry will soon welcome salmon again.
A landmark agreement has been struck for the River Tay tributary, 15 miles north of Blair Atholl, that will see the restoration of water flows for the first time since the 1950s.
River bosses say 10 miles of the river has been essentially allowed to run dry through water extraction, but thanks to moves by SSE and its hydro assets in the area, this will be restored over the coming weeks.
And that will allow spawning in a hope to further boost the Tay’s reputation for salmon.
The formal announcement was made at the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board’s (TDSFB) annual ceremony.
SSE has already taken initial steps at the Struan Weir to allow restoration.
Jim Smith, SSE’s managing director of generation, said: “Ever since its inception as the Hydro Board in 1943, SSE has been charged with the responsibility of managing the waters carefully where we operate our hydro assets.
“Our guiding philosophy is to work with all parties to balance the nation’s
Provost Liz Grant pours the whisky from the quaich at Kenmore
Andrew Gifford and Claire Mercar Nairne need for power with our environmental and seven miles of tributary will once responsibilities. We recognise this again be capable of producing salmon. stretch of the River Garry as a special “We estimate that this is likely to case for water restoration. produce an additional 1500 adult,
“Although it will result in a loss of predominantly spring, salmon potential hydro energy for SSE we are returning to the river annually. delighted to play our part in restoring “It is difficult to envisage any other water flow and allowing salmon back single project that would benefit to the upper Garry.” salmon in the Tay system as much as
Bill Jack, chairman of the TDSFB, this will. added: “This most welcome news is “We are very pleased to have been a milestone in salmon conservation. able to work with SSE and SEPA to a
“Some 10 miles of the main river successful conclusion.”