Action needed to save Scottish salmon

SIR – Although this year’s average catch of salmon on the 107-milelong River Spey may exceed the last five-year average of 2,478 salmon (P&J, September 27), the collapse of salmon returning to Scottish rivers continues.

Twenty years ago the average annual catch of salmon on Scottish rivers was 120,000, contributing to the rural industry of the Highlands and Islands £1,000 per salmon caught, £120 million. Last year approximately 40,000 were caught, and 36,000 released, of which, according to the West Coast River Carron’s experience, 20% would have been caught and released twice in one week.

“Catch and Release” will not prevent the disappearance of salmon. Thirty years ago Iceland’s two eight-mile-long salmon rivers, the Ranga Rivers, were devoid of salmon on account of volcanic ash which prevented the spawning of salmon on their gravel river beds. The rivers were stocked with hatchery grown smolts, juvenile salmon, all migrating to sea.

This year the two Ranga rivers have recorded 7,992 salmon caught, an average of two salmon caught each day by each angler. The average for Scotland is one salmon caught in six days’ fishing.

The loss of salmon occurs mainly in the rivers and not in the sea.

Climate change storms wash out the river breeding beds for salmon ova. Increasing numbers of goosanders, with other protected birds and animals in the Scottish rivers, feed on the juvenile salmon. Salmon survival in the rivers from ova to smolt and sea migration is one out of 200 ova.

Five out of 100 smolts migrating to sea return to their rivers after three years.

The cabinet secretary for rural economy, Fergus Ewing, should take advice from Icelandic Throstur Ellidasson, one of the entrepreneurs responsible for creating a river without salmon, the Ranga, into the leading salmon river in Iceland. The Scottish Parliament should not wait until the next parliamentary session to rescue a major rural benefactor. Mark Pattinson, Kishorn, Wester

Ross