In early November 2025, Iain Law, a Board member cooptee and TCSA member, proposed a study to the TDSFB which would use latest technology sensor systems to monitor the smolt run from the Rivers Garry and Gaur through to the River Tummel below the Pitlochry Dam. The project description can be viewed at this link:
https://thetay.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SMOLT-MORTALITY-PROJECT-DESCRIPTION-18-NOVEMBER.pdf
The project will be an adjunct to a Marine Directorate study of smolt migration behaviour up the east coast of Scotland and will be managed by a team from Glasgow University. The aim is to gather the latest smolt survival information, using the latest technology sensors, which, when placed alongside previous studies, will be used to convince government and industrial stakeholders that there needs to be mitigation of issues encountered by smolts. Such mitigation could include trapping and trucking of Gaur and Garry smolts from their native rivers to below Pitlochry and the delivery of mitigation stocking in other parts of the catchment. The study evidence should also allow better access to funds which will be required to deliver the mitigation efforts. The challenge is considerable, but the TDSFB support the project, and we are encouraged to witness Board enthusiasm for it. At fruition, this high profile and newsworthy conservation measure will result in very much higher smolt survival rates and, in turn, will result in a greater number of returning adults to the system. The expected growth in returning numbers in the Tummel also has significant exponential effects in the middle and lower beats of the Tay. To reach this outcome, making this study happen is essential
Lack of funding will kill this project, a fact that, sadly, has caused the demise of many projects in the catchment.
The TCSA Committee is determined to support the project. We have already agreed to provide substantial funding to kickstart the project. The scale of the project necessitates syndicated stakeholder funding. Additional sources of funding are required to ensure the project can be completed next year. We realise that timescales are tight and that budgets are strained but if we succeed there is a huge win for all of the stakeholders here.
The costs of the project are outlined in the project description. With VAT, the costs will increase to around £100000. Our aim, therefore, is to raise that total in case other sources do not come to fruition.
This project is key to delivering something that could mean a significant change in returning salmon numbers. We believe that it is one of the most important projects in the catchment for many years and is an opportunity not to be missed. We must ensure it is delivered.
DONATIONS
Everyone at TCSA is a volunteer so every pound raised goes straight to saving our officially endangered Atlantic Salmon. Whether you can donate money or effort we need you now!
We have initiated a “Go Fund Me “ page – You can “Go fund Me” at the following link:
You can donate money direct to the TCSA Account:
For Bank transfer use the following:
Tay Catchment Salmon Alliance
Sort Code: 83 23 25
Account Number: 19078298
Please use your surname as the reference
Alternatively,
Cheques may to be sent to:
Treasurer, Tay Catchment Salmon Alliance, Roman Bridge Cottage, Dunkeld, PH8 0DW
Volunteers
You can also volunteer. We need specific skills to supplement our small team. The Tay Catchment is huge and the fight to “Save Our Salmon “is a massive task. We need people with a variety of skills to join our team. We cannot do it all.
River Champions
We need volunteers to co-ordinate our efforts in each river system. We must develop a dedicated team on each river. We need our teams to :-
Sign up Landowners and Proprietors to TCSA
Identify prioritise and manage projects from inception to completion
Fundraise
Organise volunteers
Social media
TCSA needs to go viral. Can you help extend our reach? Do you have the skills, or do you know someone who does? Please contact Bob Mason
Volunteer teams
Projects can take time to organise and fund. We can face many obstacles. It can look like it may never happen and then suddenly it does……..and then it’s all hands on deck. Can you give your time and your skills? Tell us what you can do and please register with Bob Mason now.
The future of our catchment is in our hands and in our heads. We need to save our salmon now! Nobody else will do it