Purchase and Installation of Vaki Fish Counter and Camera on Lower Kirkcudbrightshire Dee

Kirkcudbrightshire Dee used to support one of the healthiest Salmon populations in SW Scotland. Due to various pressures the population is now so low that direct intervention is required to promote recovery. This includes a salmon hatchery, habitat enhancement works and reducing acidity problems. All adult salmon entering the Dee must ascend a fish ladder in the lower reaches at Tongland. This is the perfect location to fit a Vaki Fish Counter (see www.vaki.is/Vaki/Products/Riverwatcherfishcounter/) and camera system. This modern counter would count each salmon through the fish ladder. Each fish would be photographed also so that the number, salmon /seatrout to be distinguished from one another so that there is no adequate spawning stock in river, to examine run timing of fish, to monitor the success of other enhancement measures being undertaken and to direct these works. The fishpass is used for guided tours and will use the counter for education.