Wild Salmon Return to River Garry After 60 Years

Ongoing genetic research conducted at the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation (IBFC) at UHI Inverness is providing vital insights into populations of wild Atlantic salmon in a newly restored river.

Dr. Victoria Pritchard, Senior Researcher at IBFC, recently spoke about the project in an STV interview, emphasising the importance of genetic monitoring in assessing the health and resilience of the returning salmon population.

For the first time in more than six decades, wild salmon have returned to a stretch of the River Garry in Perthshire, following a historic restoration effort. The river, which had been largely drained since the 1950s to support hydroelectric power generation, was revived in 2017 through a collaboration between SSE, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), and the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board.

The project aimed to restore a breeding population of salmon to the 10-mile stretch of river, utilizing genetic monitoring and conservation efforts. Over the past seven years, more than two million salmon eggs from hatchery brood stock have been released into the river and its tributaries, helping to kick-start the population. Recent genetic studies indicate that wild salmon are now dominant, signalling the successful re-establishment of the River Garry as a crucial breeding ground.

This research marks a significant step toward understanding and preserving Scotland’s iconic wild salmon species, reinforcing the importance of habitat restoration in maintaining ecological balance.

You could vie the interview in the link below:

Wild salmon return to Perthshire river drained for 60 years | STV News