Catastrophic Drop in Salmon Numbers in Argyll’s Largest River Awe

A “CATASTROPHIC” failure of the salmon run in Argyll’s largest and most closely monitored river has prompted demands for the closure of some fish farms and a review of the expansion of the industry. This year’s run of salmon in the River Awe is by far the lowest since records began in 1964, according to figures released today. The annual salmon count for 2017 has been confirmed as 480, which compares with 807 in 2016 and a five-year average of 1400. The previous lowest total was 781 in 1998. “This year’s salmon count on the River Awe is incontrovertible evidence that the decline in wild fish in salmon farming’s southern heartland has become critical,” said Roger Brook, chair of Argyll District Salmon Fishery Board.

Source: The National, 11 December 2017
http://www.thenational.scot/news/15713197.Call_for_closure_of_fish_farm…