The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Risk to life hots up for threatened salmon in shallow Scots rivers
Wild fish returning home to spawn could be killed by rising temperatures
There are fears that wild salmon returning to their Scottish rivers could die in the heatwave – risking the survival of the under-threat species.
It is estimated that salmon and sea trout anglers spend £73 million a year on their sport.
The total Scottish angling industry also generates nearly £50m in wages and self-employment income to Scottish households, supporting around 3,000 jobs.
But the heatwave has left many river systems dangerously low on water – at a time when many wild salmon are returning to spawn.
Anglers will also find fish uninterested in being caught as they try and survive the conditions, Fisheries Management Scotland (FMS) – which represents fishery boards and trust throughout the country – has warned.
Native Atlantic salmon are under threat from climate change, aquaculture and alien Pacific pink salmon.
Now heat and low water levels are threatening to wipe out the vulnerable king of fish.
The normally rain-prone Western Isles recently experienced a record 22 days of drought.
However Brian Davidson, communications director at FMS, said the low water levels and heat issues were “pretty universal” across the country’s rivers.
“Fish prefer cooler water to migrate and salmon rely on spates and need more water than sea trout,” he said.
“This is the time when a lot of salmon return to Scottish river systems, especially grilse, which are summer returning fish after a winter at sea.
“They also like shade. If the hot weather continues it will become a matter for concern.
“The spring catch was pretty poor and fairly disappointing and now we have this. If it continues fish could potentially die especially on the smaller river systems which are shallow.
“On the deeper rivers, the fish will tend to lie in deep pools to keep cool and they will not be interested in being caught in those conditions.”