TROUBLED WATERS

After reading the piece 'Committed to saving wild salmon' in the Country News section [March 2022 issue], I felt I had to respond. It cites the River Clyde as a success, where salmon can be found again after extinction.

I am a founder member of the Mid Clyde Angling Association and the work done by the Association and other bodies since the early eighties must be applauded.

In October last year I was informed that the tidal weir at Glasgow Green was not functioning properly and that bthe gates could not be raised to allow salmon to migrate upstream. Salmon could only continue at times of very high water levels in conjunction with high tides.

In May last year maintenance work started and upstream migration halted. The average catch returns for Mid Clyde were 130 salmon and grilse, but last season it was just 30. These are numbers which speak for themselves.

Who's to blame? Glasgow City Council will not accept responsibility, SEPA grant the licence to operate the weir but have not inspected the structure and granted the licence in any case, and Marine Scotland have been informed, as have Fish Legal.

All the while the man with rod and line is kept in the dark. John Brown, Uddingston