Anglers warned after Pacific pink salmon found in Angus rivers

Fishermen asked not to return caught ‘humpies’ into river

Angus anglers have been encountering unusual summer visitors normally at home in the cooler waters of northern Norway or Russia.

Recent weeks have seen a rise in reported numbers of Pacific pink salmon – or humpbacks as they are also known – with the River North Esk one of the UK hotspots.

Experts say the species should pose no threat to the Atlantic salmon prized by sport fishermen on Scotland’s rivers, but anyone reeling in one of the distinctive fish is being advised not to return it to the water.

Esk District Salmon Fishery Board rivers director Craig MacIntyre said anglers and net fisheries in the UK and Norway had encountered the fish but the Angus water was where most had been captured.

“To date, 19 pink salmon have been caught in the North Esk net fishery, and two have been caught by rod and line in the North Esk,” he said.

“While these fish are unwelcome visitors, the risk to our native Atlantic salmon populations is thought to be low.

“So far, there have been no reports of disease associated with these fish.

“The pink salmon spawn in the summer, and therefore the risk of interbreeding with native Atlantic salmon is negligible.

“Due to the high water temperatures in our rivers, we do not think that the spawning will be successful and eggs will not survive.”

Humpbacks also have the shortest life cycle of the genus, maturing and reproducing after only two years, with populations spawning in alternate even and odd years, giving rise to the possibility that 2019 may also bring an influx to the east coast rivers.

The species will be instantly recognisable to game anglers, particularly the male fish which, during the spawning season, takes on the distinctive hump that gives rise to its nickname.

The board has advised any Esk angler who may catch a pink salmon to, if possible, keep it alive in a keep net and contact the bailiff on 07786 060431 or Mr MacIntyre on 07796 715570.

“If you are unable to keep the fish alive, please take photographs and pass them on to us as soon as possible,” added Mr MacIntyre.

Picture: Dougie Nicolson. The “intruders” have been found in the River North Esk.

The Pacific pink salmon is usually found in colder waters.