Dr Lorraine Hawkins has been appointed to succeed Mark Bilsby as the River Director for the two organisations that manage the River Dee- the Dee Salmon Fishery Board and the River Dee Trust.
Lorraine has been managing the Trust and lead the tracking work that follows juvenile salmon from the river into the sea, which has attracted international interest.
Speaking of her new role Lorraine commented, “The organisations are in a strong position, at the forefront of fisheries management in Scotland and I am looking forward to developing them further, in rather challenging times. We have a dedicated staff of 14 here, plus 3 on the Don, and it’s a privilege to be taking forward some really exciting work with them.”
“In recent years, salmon stocks have really suffered, and the challenge for the Dee, and for wider Deeside, is to engage support for the River. Developing the fishery and angling opportunities is critical to ensure that the economic critical mass is maintained, as this is what will ensure the river is looked after and rural jobs kept”.