Bailiffs on the North and South Esk have carried out a joint patrol with local community police officers to share knowledge about the river and fishery rules. However, the Forth District Salmon Fishery Board (FDSFB) said that bailiffs could not do their work without the support of local eyes and ears. Appealing to the public for help, the board said: “If you spot or hear of illegal fishery activity within the Forth make sure you report it to the head bailiff on 07887 835549 or call the police on 101. “If you are out on the River Tyne or Esk and spot illegal activity you can also contact the bailiffs on 07736 466725 of for the river Avon 07736 466723.”
For clarification, the North Esk rises in the Pentland Hills near Carlops and flows past Penicuik and Auchendinny, and continues through Roslin Glen and the Penicuik–Dalkeith Walkway, past Polton, Lasswade and Melville Castle. The South Esk starts in the Moorfoot Hills and flows through Gladhouse and Rosebery reservoirs past Temple, then to Newtongrange before running through Dalkeith. The rivers converge near Dalkeith Palace.
In West Lothian, work on the Howden Bridge weir on The Almond will help migratory fish like salmon, sea trout, brown trout, lamprey and eel over this redundant structure.