CONCERNS have been raised about the wild Atlantic salmon population in a river in north-east Scotland, after changes in water extraction were approved despite a period of “exceptionally low river levels”.
The Spey Fishery Board has expressed “profound disappointment” about the decision, saying additional measures are needed to reduce the impact on river levels.
Abstraction, the process of extracting water from the river, takes place at a number of sites along the Spey.
The fishery board says increased abstraction for the public water supply at Fochabers has environmental risks.
However Scottish Water says it has not requested permission from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) to go beyond its existing permit to take water from the River Spey.
The River Spey is well known for its fishing and hosts a population of Atlantic salmon.
Spey Fishery Board operations manager Duncan Ferguson said the board has “profound disappointment” over the decision “at a time when river levels are low, water temperatures are high and wild Atlantic salmon populations are under significant pressure”.
He added: “We fully recognise the need to maintain public water supplies and keep taps flowing.
“However, any increase in abstraction during these conditions must be accompanied by measures that offset the additional volume being taken from the river.
“The River Spey is under increasing pressure and requires a co-ordinated response.
“We strongly call on all large-volume abstractors, regulators and public bodies to work together to reduce cumulative impacts on the river, offset abstraction wherever possible during periods of low flow, and deliver long-term water management solutions that protect the Spey’s internationally important salmon populations and wider ecosystem.
“Last year whisky production and agriculture suffered because of low water levels, and we fear this is happening again.”
The fishery board is concerned that low river levels could prevent salmon from returning upriver from the sea in order to breed.
A Sepa spokesperson said: “When authorising water abstraction licences and variations, Sepa will evaluate evidence to ensure they are sustainable.
“Sufficient flows are vital for maintaining the health of river ecosystems, which are essential for biodiversity and ecological balance, and our approach is designed to protect the environment and water users.
“Many abstractions are already limited at low flow by licence conditions, or where this condition has not been included, when necessary Sepa takes regulatory action during water scarcity to maintain this protection.
“Sepa is committed to working with sectors across Scotland to ensure our water resources are managed sustainably for the future and Sepa welcomes the Spey Fishery Board’s continued commitment to working with us and other stakeholders in relation to the River Spey.”
It is understood that water pumps have been deployed around the river in recent days.
Scottish Water said it has received permission to take water directly from the river, rather than its normal method of taking the water indirectly through boreholes.
A Scottish Water spokesperson commented: “Scottish Water has not requested permission beyond our existing Sepa permit to take more water from the River Spey.
“We are licensed, with Sepa’s permission, to abstract small amounts of water annually from the river in order to support local drinking water systems for our customers.
“The abstraction at Fochabers represents less than 1% of the total volume of water we are permitted to transfer out of the Spey.”
