Murdo Fraser MSP recently met with representatives from the Tay Ghillies in Blairgowrie to see and discuss the issues that are threatening Wild Atlantic Salmon in the River Ericht.
Right across the Tay catchment area, and on other rivers in Scotland, there has been an alarming decline in wild salmon numbers, which impacts not just on the environment but also on angling tourism.
Commenting after the meeting, Murdo Fraser said: “Rivers like the Ericht are crucial to local habitats and biodiversity across the country. There are clear threats that are facing wild salmon in Scottish rivers, and the decline in their numbers is deeply concerning. Representatives from the Tay Ghillies explained to me how these threats, including water levels and sewage discharge, are causing the decline of salmon in our rivers and adversely affecting our ecosystems as a whole.
“What was clear from our meeting was there needs to be a national discussion and an action plan involving environmental bodies such as SEPA. Instead, we see a blatant lack of urgency from the SNP-Green coalition government to address the very real threat to Atlantic Salmon in the Ericht and rivers across Scotland. Salmon are a crucial part of the local economy for towns like Blairgowrie and their conservation must be part of a wider initiative to addressing the very real threats that face our rivers.”
