The director of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board is moving on after 26 years. Campaigners say it’s time for a new direction.

The body responsible for protecting salmon fishing on the River Tay is on the hunt for a new director.

Dr David Summers is stepping down from the helm of the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board after more than a quarter of a century on the river.

Dr Summers is moving on to a new role at SEPA amid continuing concerns about declining salmon numbers and multiple threats to “the king of fish”.

Supporters have paid tribute to his achievements.

Most notable is his role in returning flowing water – and wild salmon – to a stretch of the River Garry that had been dry since the 1950s.

But Dr Summers’ departure has also raised questions over who will replace him, and what direction the board should take now as salmon numbers continue to cause concern.

Dr Summers said it has been “a huge honour to have worked on the River Tay for the last 26 years”.

He said his proudest moment had been turning the handle which returned the flow of water to an eight-mile stretch of the River Garry which had run dry for 60 years due to abstraction for hydro schemes.

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