In recent weeks there has been considerable discussion in the angling press and amongst anglers about the suitability of a hatchery for Tweed. The current policy of the River Tweed Commission (RTC), based on evidence and advice complied by The Tweed Foundation, is that a Salmon hatchery would not benefit any Tweed Salmon Stock and worse, it might even damage those that exist especially the very fragile Spring Stock. It has been suggested in the press that the RTC has not properly examined the basis of a hatchery but this is incorrect; not to have a hatchery is not a new policy and has been under discussion for at least 20 years since it was first adopted. Indeed, the possibility of a hatchery is specifically mentioned in the Tweed Fisheries Management Plan (Section 5 The Framework for Fisheries Management in the Fisheries District).

Hatcheries have a strong following amongst some anglers who believe that they can enhance fishing, as they can indeed in some specific conditions, but those conditions do not exist on Tweed. Indeed the RTC works hard to make sure that those conditions never do exist.

To explain this further a paper, which has been approved by the RTC, has been published by The Tweed Foundation as part of the Tweed Fisheries Management Plan at Hatchery FAQs