Fish Conservation Around the Forth

The conservation of fish is important for the health of rivers around the Forth. Since the industrial revolution, pressure has been placed on rivers which has had an impact on fish populations, as the need for water in the industrial processes of the 17th, 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries increased. 

Pressures such as abstraction from rivers, construction of weirs to harness the power of rivers and also pollution from industrial processes have all left their mark.

Rivers have also had to cope with the boom of urban areas, with many rivers being straightened, sewage works being contructed and discharging into rivers and more. 

Many organisations are hard at work to provide support to rivers around the Forth to benefit wildlife such as the wild fish populations present. More on the great conservation work can be found below. 

Forth District Salmon Fishery Board

The Forth District Salmon Fishery Board is an organisation established in 1868 to protect and conserve salmon and sea trout populations around the Forth. The Forth DSFB have a statutory remit to enforce the current salmon fishing legislation as set out by the Scottish Government. This has changed over the years but the core principles are still as relevant today as they were in 1868.

The Board also carry out enforcement of the legislation and should be contacted if you see any wildlife crimes against salmon or sea trout.

Each year, the Board also set conservation recomendations which focus on promoting best practice when angling around the Forth. The recomendations pull together current legislation which is mandatory and Forth DSFB recomendations. 

Forth Rivers Trust

The Forth Rivers Trust is a conservation charity first set up in 2009 to improve rivers for the benefit of wildlife and communities that use them. 

The Trust work with many stakeholders to tackle some of the biggest issues facing rivers around the Forth. Projects to improve rivers have ranged from tackling barriers to fish migration, improving in-stream habitat for fish, monitoring fish populations and fish habitat, engaging communities with rivers and much more. 

If you would like to help rivers around the Forth, make sure to check out how to volunteer with the many projects being delivered around the Forth by the Forth Rivers Trust. 

Angling  Clubs & Community Groups

There are many other organisations around the Forth which support and aim to improve rivers for fish populations and other wildlife. Angling clubs and local community groups around the Forth play a part in supporting their local river as they have vested interests in making sure they are healthy and functioning correctly. 

Find out more on what organisations are supporting rivers around the Forth below.