Spey-Fishery-Board-Annual-Report-2013-Web

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Figure 3: Scottish & Southern Energy’s Tummel Scheme CAR Licence allows the diversion of water from the SpeyCatchment into the Tay catchment.In section 1.5, we have reported that during 2013 the UK’s Technical Advisory Group (UKTAG), of whichSEPA is a member, issued revised guidance for the implementation of the WFD. This has recommended thatmaintained elevated flows in water bodies (e.g. the compensation flows in the Rivers Tromie and Truim) are notideal for all fish species. The Board remains particularly concerned by the potential impact of the proposals onthe River Truim, which is currently abstracted from three locations: the upper River Truim; the River Cuaich;and the River Allt An’t Sluie. Its over-riding concern is the SSE proposal to remove the compensation flow inthat River, resulting in a "Hands Off" Flow at that point (i.e. one that is dependent upon rainfall in order tomaintain any flow down an already impacted river). In 2013, using Low Flows 2000 software, the Boardevaluated the likely impacts this would have on the whole of the Truim. The research showed that the proposalswould lead to a reduction of approximately 26% in the low flow at Invertruim and an almost 6.5% reduction inthe low flow of the mainstem at Grantown-on-Spey. These results were presented to officials at SEPA, whobroadly concurred with the findings. The proposals for this River are of particular concern given that the Truim,as a tributary of the River Spey, is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EC Directive on theConservation of Natural Habitats and Wild Fauna and Flora 92/43/EC, for Atlantic Salmon, Otter, Sea Lampreyand Fresh Water Pearl Mussel. It should, therefore, be afforded the very highest level of environmentalprotection available under European legislation.Furthermore, our concerns for the River Truim had previously been heightened by the results of genetic researchundertaken as part of the FASMOP Project (see section 3.4). This research showed that the River Truim holds asub-population of Salmon that is genetically distinct from other Spey stock. The River Cuaich, which is themost important tributary of the Truim, has already been severely compromised to the Spey catchment as asalmonid habitat. If the SSE proposals are accepted, they will result in a substantial reduction in the wetted area16
of the River Truim and this is likely to have a significant impact upon the smolt production of that river. If thisadversely impacts upon the Salmon population within it, it would be extremely difficult to replace. SEPA hasbeen made aware of this development.The Allt Bhran, the whole flow from which is currently diverted into the Tromie Dam. SFB Director Roger Knight (right)explained the re-watering proposal to SEPA’s Chief Executive Officer, Professor James Curran and Area Manager AnneAnderson. (Photo: Brian Shaw)The Spey Board also remains unconvinced that the proposals for the River Tromie will not have a significantlyadverse impact upon Atlantic Salmon in that River, or that this would be compensated by additional smoltproduction from the River Cuaich (for which SSE propose a minimal compensation flow). This is particularlysignificant given that the River Tromie is also included within the Spey SAC. During 2013 the SFB has workedclosely with SSE and SEPA to explore options for re-watering the Allt Bhran, a significant tributary of the RiverTromie. The whole flow from the Allt Bhran is currently diverted into the Tromie Dam, thereby denying accessto it by migratory fish. However, the restoration of a flow down the lower section of the Allt Brahn provides asignificant river restoration opportunity and the Board is keen to develop this.A decision by SEPA on these complex proposals had been expected by the end of 2013. The Board will bemonitoring developments on this issue closely throughout 2014.17
Page 1: ANNUAL REPORT2013www.speyfisheryboa
Page 7 and 8: Chairman’s ForewordThe numbers of
Page 9 and 10: that all the burden of the Manageme
Page 11 and 12: - a duty to hold at least one publi
Page 13 and 14: Figure 2. The River Spey catchment
Page 18 and 19: The primary compensation flow (abov
Page 20 and 21: Spey Salmon Catch 1952 to 201315000
Page 22 and 23: 2.2 Sea Trout CatchesThe 2013 decla
Page 24 and 25: 2.3 Salmon Conservation PolicyAs pa
Page 26 and 27: Catches have not been encouraging i
Page 28 and 29: Part 3Management Report3.1 Spey Cat
Page 30 and 31: the Initiative’s work at a recept
Page 32 and 33: In recent years the focus has been
Page 34 and 35: Table 2. Spey Fishery Board Stockin
Page 36 and 37: catchment (particularly in the Trui
Page 38 and 39: There were at least two other pollu
Page 40 and 41: In 2013 the SFB continued counting
Page 42 and 43: A total of eleven patrols along our
Page 44 and 45: Part 4Spey Foundation Report4.1 Juv
Page 46 and 47: Rather than focussing on the result
Page 48 and 49: 2012DulnainNethyDruieSpey Dam2014Fi
Page 50 and 51: capable of producing similar smolt
Page 52 and 53: Table 10: Results from the River Tr
Page 54 and 55: 4.7 Invertebrate SamplingDuring 201
Page 56 and 57: Above: Pupils from Aberlour House9t
Page 58 and 59: as well as the habitat enhancement
Page 60 and 61: Spey Fishery Board Financial Summar
Page 62 and 63: Notes62

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