A RIVER Tweed Commission (RTC) boss has issued a plea to anglers not to kill the fish they catch.

The RTC is a statutory body with responsibility within the River Tweed and Eye catchment for the protection and improvement of its salmon, sea trout and other freshwater fish populations.

In an open letter to fishery proprietors, Jonathan Reddin, chief commissioner with the RTC, urged anglers to adopt a 100 per cent ‘catch and release’ approach between now and the end of the season on November 30 as concern grows for the survival of the endangered Atlantic salmon.

Hundreds of salmon hooked or netted on the Borders river last year were despatched after being caught even though many other rivers in Scotland and further afield had already adopted a 100 per cent catch and release regime.

In his letter, Mr Reddin writes: “Against a backdrop of declining adult salmon abundance throughout its range, the commission is actively encouraging anglers to maintain the upward trend in catch and release rates and to follow best practice guidelines for returning fish.”