The report, published at the Annual General Meeting this week, shows 6,690 salmon were caught in 2022, up from the 2021 total of 5,862 but just below the five-year average of 6,810.
The report also drew attention to problems caused by summer heat waves and low rainfall, which led SEPA to curtail licensed water withdrawals in the watershed for the first time.
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Water temperatures exceeded 24 degrees Celsius in some places, and since warm water has less dissolved oxygen – vital to fish survival – than cold water, this caused great stress for salmon, sea and brown trout in the river.
Declining water levels have also led to changes in nutrient concentration levels in some parts of the watershed, creating algal blooms that also use up the oxygen that fish and other creatures need to survive.
Low river flows also make migration between river pools more difficult, often preventing access to shade and protection from predators.
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The Tweed River Commission advised to stop fishing on some of the hottest days, and the commissioners were pleased to see fishermen show respect and restraint in appreciation of the difficulties caused by fishing conditions.
The report also noted that 96% of salmon caught in 2022 were returned to the water, the highest number ever and a reflection of the fishing community’s recognition of the importance of long-term sustainability.
The River Tweed Commission continues to work with scientists and fisheries officials at its sister charity, the Tweed Foundation, to investigate and address issues within the watershed and initiate measures to aid survival, such as planting trees on the river banks to help lower and improve water temperatures. Water quality, removing barriers to migration.
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Tweed River Commission writer Jamie Stewart said: “The Tweed is a special area for salmon conservation and we are delighted to see an increase in last year’s catch within the watershed. However, it is clear that wild salmon still faces significant problems due to a combination of factors including Climate change, pollution and predation.
“We are working hard to deal with as many of these as possible, both with partner organizations and landowners, but also with the Scottish Government, which we welcome the recently published Wild Salmon Implementation Strategy.
“We are also pleased to have the support of fishermen from home and abroad, whose behavior when they fish here shows a deep respect for the river’s environment.
“The Tweed is one of the greatest salmon rivers in the world, and fishing contributes greatly to the local economy, so we all want to do everything we can to protect this precious natural resource.”
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