Managers of one of the country’s most famous salmon rivers believe they are bucking the worldwide decline in the wild fish.
Dozens of anglers from across Europe were in Kelso for the official opening day of the Tweed’s salmon fishing season.
Despite a continued global decline in wild numbers of the iconic fish, the mood was buoyant ahead of the first cast being made on the Junction Pool beat.
Jamie Stewart, chief executive of the River Tweed Commission, said: “As we see Atlantic Salmon declining right from North America to southern Spain, the Tweed has held its numbers well.”
The salmon industry generates around £25m each year for the Borders economy and supports an estimated 500 full-time equivalent jobs.
But continuing to attract anglers from near and far requires concerted efforts to maintain fish numbers.
As well as adopting a catch-and-release policy at times during the season, river bosses manage habitats and breeding grounds, enhance water quality and tackle illegal fishing to preserve stock levels.
Stewart added: “We did suffer a significant drop in 2015 – courtesy of Storm Desmond and the floods it brought – but it has been quietly building back up since then.
“We now have sustainable numbers of salmon on the Tweed and we are optimistic for the season ahead.”
Environment agencies around the world have reported a steady decline in Atlantic salmon numbers over the past 50 years, mainly due to changing water conditions and habitats, as well as a reduction in food availability.
Accepted estimates suggest numbers have dropped from almost 10 million to less than three million.
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