THE community of salmon fisheries is pleading with the Scottish Government for support, amid fears of an unprecedented decline in the River Awe.

According to figures, the salmon count in the Argyll’s largest, and most closely monitored waterway, was the lowest since records began in 1964.

The numbers dropped to 480, down from last year’s 807 and well below the previous lowest total of 781 in 1998.

Roger Brook, chairman of the Argyll District Salmon Fishery Board, said: “This year’s salmon count on the River Awe is incontrovertible evidence that the decline in wild fish in salmon farming’s southern heartland has become critical.

“We call upon the Scottish Government to take action on all issues within its regulatory control. Specifically, we ask for a review of the policy to facilitate the continued expansion of the salmon aquaculture industry without first addressing the negative impacts.

“Expansion of aquaculture without greater regulatory control is sounding the death knell for viable wild salmon populations in most of the West Highlands and Islands.”

The Awe is a short river, draining Loch Awe, with a hydro-electric dam at its head. There is a full river count, between April 1 and November 30, which is almost unaffected by the weather.

It has been argued that sea lice – a result of a growing number of fish farms – have been infesting salmon as they migrate from the south-west Highlands along the west cost to the north Atlantic.

Andrew Graham-Stewart, director of Salmon and Trout Conservation Scotland, said: “If the crisis in wild salmon numbers in the West Highlands and Islands is to be halted, Scottish Ministers must now be given a duty, and granted the necessary powers, to intervene to protect wild fish and to implement measures to prevent further damage and provide the conditions to reverse the decline in wild salmon and sea trout populations.”