An Epic Migration


It’s been really encouraging to hear so many reports of sightings of Atlantic Salmon returning and spawning in the River Tarras as well as the River Esk towards the end of last year.
These incredible fish once started as little eggs in the Tarras Water several years ago. They grow from hatchlings through several different stages living in freshwater and hiding away in the gravel beds of rivers and streams before maturing into smolt and heading out into the ocean. The adult fish remain in the sea from just over a year to three or four years, before they take on the perilous journey back to their birthplaces to spawn.
About 90 to 95% of all Atlantic salmon die after spawning has taken place and return a wealth of nutrients back to the river ecosystem when they die. Those that survive may spawn again.
This female photographed on the Upper Tarras has made it back against the odds and laid her eggs, she could have travelled over 1000 miles to return to her birthplace here on the Tarras Water. You can only imagine the places that she has travelled in her lifetime.
Picture Credit: David Jeffrey

Atlantic salmon is an indicator species, reflecting the health of marine and freshwater ecosystems. A shrinking salmon population is a warning sign that much more work is needed to improve our natural environment. The Esk was renowned for its salmon and trout, which have within a less than one lifetime, declined dramatically. This is an international trend, with similar findings reported in Ireland, Iceland, Sweden and Canada, however the UK shows the most significant decline.
The reasons for their decline are complex and interconnected, they include but are not limited to, agricultural pollution, sedimentation, chemical runoff from industries, wastewater, and roads degrading their habitats. As well as barriers to migration, water scarcity from abstraction, habitat loss, modification and straightening of rivers and the persistent challenge from climate change and warming seas.

What are we doing to help?
We know we can’t solve the problem, but we can do our bit. Our aspirations as we restore the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve, include the following:
- Peatland restoration and ditch blocking to reduce sedimentation of watercourses and slow water run off
- Riparian planting to cool rivers and provide more diverse habitat
- River restoration to naturalise the channels that have been historically straightened
- Encouraging deadwood and diversity in the river
- Wetland creation to filter run -off and help boost biodiversity
- Working with other groups within the Esk catchment such as Angling Club, Fisheries Trust and statutory agencies to help maximise our efforts