River Spey tributaries suffer two major pollution incidents in a fortnight

Two pollution incidents within 10 days have caused widespread destruction to wildlife on tributaries of the River Spey in Moray, prompting calls for accountability from the angling and river management community.

The first incident, on 14 April, involved white paint spilled into the Burn of Carron near Aberlour. Dead salmon were found after investigations traced the source to a layby on the A95. SEPA and Police Scotland attended alongside the Spey Fishery Board, and officers confirmed the burn had cleared by the following morning.

A second, more destructive incident then struck the Knockando Burn, with a chemical thought to be caustic soda entering the water and killing a number of species including salmon, eels and invertebrates. A bird of prey is also reported to have died, either after drinking from the burn or feeding on contaminated fish.

Duncan Ferguson, director of the Spey Fishery Board, said it was among the worst incidents he had witnessed in 36 years on the river, with a 2km stretch of the burn affected and the salmon population facing a recovery period of five years or more. “There needs to be accountability,” he said. “What chance have salmon got when you see incidents like this? There are no invertebrates left, thousands of fish have died. This part of the river is now basically inert. It’s a tragedy and it can’t be repeated.”

SEPA confirmed it is investigating both incidents.

Photo credit: Spey Fishery Board