Deer legs dumped in Aberdeenshire river to boost salmon numbers

THE king of fish has been given an unusual helping hand to boost its numbers in Scotland. Deer legs are being placed in a river to help boost the salmon survival rates. It is hoped they will help produce more insects for fish to feed on.

Salmon

Salmon have been given an unusual helping hand to boost its numbers (Image: Westend61GmbH/Alamy)

The scheme is being trialled at the River Muick in Aberdeenshire, with legs from locally culled deer being placed in clusters at various points along the waterway.

In the past, adult salmon would die and nutrients from their carcasses would help increase insect populations, providing food for younger fish.

However, with the number of adult salmon returning to the river from the sea plummeting, there is now a scarcity of food in the water.

It is estimated that, for every 100 salmon which migrate from rivers, five return, whereas around 40 would have made it back 40 to 50 years ago.

The idea is already widely used across North America.

River Muick near Ballater, Aberdeenshire

River Muick near Ballater, Aberdeenshire (Image: Angus McComiskey / Alamy)

Fisheries development officer Ross Macdonald said: “In times past when there were thousands and thousands of salmon in the river, there were lots and lots of carcasses which would provide nutrients to the aquatic environment.

“Over time, the number of adult salmon returning to Scottish rivers has dropped quite markedly, meaning the number of carcasses is declining, as well.”

He added: “We have got bundles of deer legs placed in different clusters across the river, in different volumes, and plan to monitor the impact.”

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