Poacher alert on the Dee

04 July 2013

Head Bailiff Tim Ewing discovers the net

When we were surveying the lower Dee as part of the compensation flow study, we were shocked to come across a poachers net. Tim Ewing, head bailiff for the Dee DSFB is pictured below holding the net which was found attached to scrub about 100 meters downstream of a deep water channel that leads to Tongland fish pass.
Those that know the Kirkcudbrightshire Dee well will be aware that the salmon and trout populations exist in fairly low densities – a situation that is unlikely to change in the near future but which GFT and the Dee DSFB put a lot of effort into maintaining and enhancing (through practical works, conservation effort and hatchery operations). Between 600 and 1000 salmon are recorded by the fish counter within Tongland fish pass annually and only between 30 and 70 sea trout. Pressures on the native Kirkcudbrightshire Dee salmon and trout populations are already high (reflecting hydro and forestry practices and North American Signal Crayfish presence in and around Loch Ken) without additional pressures including direct human influence through poaching and the taking of salmon and trout by anglers. Conserving the Dee salmon and trout populations should be a top priority for anglers fishing the Dee who wish to maintain runs of both species in the river. We would urge the public to keep an eye out for any suspicious human activity in and around the River Dee and to contact the police or local bailiff Tim Ewing in the event that poaching activity is suspected to be taking place. Tim can be contacted by telephone on 07840 611 976.
Tim has also alerted us ‘This is not an isolated case. We come across gill nets in the lower river from time to time and prosecution for this kind of activity will be actively pursued. I am also concerned knowing that people are entering the river unbeknown to Scottish Power. The inherent dangers associated with this stretch of water are well publicised by Scottish Power’.

Latest News