Expert says Sepa 12 years behind in solving water level problems.

BLAIRGOWRIE: Ericht at very low level, leaving dead fish on riverbed

A local fishing expert has claimed environmental authorities are 12 years behind schedule in solving water level problems in Perthshire. Representatives from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) met MSP John Swinney, the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board and Blairgowrie Angling Association last week. The River Ericht in Blairgowrie has seen some of its lowest ever levels, leaving fish dead on the dried up riverbed. Following talks, Sepa will attempt to minimise the amount of water taken from the river by working with fish farms in the area. Brian Roxburgh, unit manager at Sepa, said: “Last week’s meeting provided a productive forum to discuss the current pressures on the River Ericht. “Our officers have been working with the fish farm at Blairgowrie to reduce, as far as possible, the amount of water taken from the river via the lade.

If you said back then it would not be finished until 2027, people would say ‘what’s the point’

“Sepa’s priority is to maximise the volume of water remaining within the River Ericht to ensure the survival of the native fish life. “We will also be having further discussions with partner organisations regarding potential barriers to fish migration.” Perthshire has experienced its third driest summer for 40 years, causing lakes and rivers across the area to suffer similar problems as the Ericht. Dr David Summers, of the fisheries board, has urged Sepa to add more impetus to their actions, after claiming they are years behind schedule. He said: “Sepa regulates the fish farm and extraction. They are now in a process of reviewing the abstraction licence and we hope this is done in as short a timescale as possible. “The first water framework directive came in in 2000, with the abstraction plan scheduled to be delivered in 2015. “If you said back then it would not be finished until 2027, people would say ‘what’s the point’.” Mr Swinney is working closely with the authorities in Blairgowrie to quickly address the problems. He said: “Further discussions will take place to try to ensure that should a low level of rainfall take place in the future we will have measures in place to try to ensure a more sustainable approach is in place.”