Call to halt 'plundering' of water from salmon river

THE fishery board of one of Scotland's leading salmon rivers yesterday called for a moratorium on taking water from the river and its tributaries to protect the habitat of vital fish stocks and other threatened species.

An independent report, commissioned by the Spey District Salmon Fishery Board claims that, at certain times of the year, up to half the upper river's flow is being removed by a variety of users, including distilleries, hydro power stations and public water companies.

The board said yesterday it was time for the "plundering" of the Spey to halt. Roger Knight, director of the fishery board, said: "The scale of water abstraction is far greater than was previously understood."

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said: "The information contained in the report will supplement similar information compiled and presented by Sepa to a meeting of the Cairngorm National Park Authority in mid-January."