The Importance of Migratory Fish in a Catchment

Migratory fish are important for a number of reasons and have developed their place in our complex landscape ecosystems. Salmon for example migrate up river to reproduce within river catchments. Most of these salmon will die due to the exertion of the process on their bodies. This is natural and salmon have evolved over a millennia to produce as many eggs to ensure their survival as possible.

The death of the salmon however provides much needed nutrients for other species within the catchment. Studies on pacific salmon have found that salmon provide nutrients from the sea to nutrient poor parts of catchments in America, encouraging plant and tree growth but also supporting wildlife such as bears and other carnivores.

This same process takes place closer to home when Atlantic salmon enter our rivers to reproduce. The dead and decaying carcasses of salmon provide nutrients to parts of catchments which might be nutrient poor, they provide a food source for foxes, birds and other carnivorous animals present in Scotland and are the engine house for ecosystems to function healthily.

This is why protecting key stone species such as Atlantic salmon is vitally important and one of the many aims and objectives of the Forth Rivers Trust.