Over the past few months our team has been busy across the catchment, carrying out a range of electrofishing surveys. 

We had more than twenty quantitative electro-fishing sites on the Gala Water this year. The quantitative method we use was set up by the Marine Directorate for their National Electro-fishing Programme for Scotland (NEPS). By electrofishing randomly selected sites we are surveying a wide range of habitat types. The data collected is then put through a statistical model which generates an estimate of total salmon fry and parr production for the Gala catchment.

Our timed electrofishing involves sampling shallow riffles for salmon and trout fry over three minutes. We sample the tributaries of the Tweed and the Eye Water on a three-year rotation. This year it was the river Teviot and river Tills turn, and we have sampled over 200 sites. During our work we have found a variety of interesting specimens, such as leucistic salmon fry! Results from this electrofishing will be published in the 2025 Annual Report in spring of next year.

In addition to quantitative sites and timed sites, we carry out contract surveys for developments near rivers. This involves quantitative electrofishing and aquatic invertebrate surveys. Doing this type of work often takes us to the far reaches of the catchment.

The results from our surveys contribute directly to the management and conservation of our rivers, ensuring that salmon and trout populations remain stable for future generations.

A special mention and big thank you to our summer assistants for this year, Jack and Erica, for their hard work and dedication over the season. 

Cody McFarlane, Tweed Foundation Biologist.