Extreme E returns to rural Scotland

As Extreme E made its exciting return to racing action in Scotland, the latest Hydro X Prix also saw the championship continue its crucial legacy initiatives in Dumfries and Galloway.

The championship has been working with the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board, a non-profit organisation based in Scotland dedicated to conserving and enhancing the aquatic environment of the River Nith and its tributaries, since the championship’s debut event in Scotland last year. The Board’s primary objective is to protect and enhance the river's fish populations, improve water quality, and create sustainable fishing opportunities for local communities.

As a result of the Hydro X Prix legacy programme, Extreme E and the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board have partnered to support a multi-stage environmental initiative focused on mitigating climate change effects upon Atlantic salmon, highlighting issues caused by rising water temperatures and change in rainfall patterns.

This year’s activities centred on the preservation and regeneration of the land surrounding the Nith River and its tributaries. Lead by Jim Henderson from the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board, with support from Extreme E Science Committee members Professor Lucy Woodall and Professor Richard Washington, the drivers and teams took part in ‘Green Engineering’ activities, which are fundemental to crucial data collection, river maintenance, and restoration projects.

One of the first activities involved electrofishing, a technique used to safely capture salmon from the river to monitor their population. This data is vital for ongoing research and conservation efforts. Additionally, drivers carried out Aquatic ‘Kick Sampling’, surveying aquatic insects and invertebrates, which are essential for assessing the health of the river ecosystem and the food sources for salmon.

To combat riverbank erosion, a practical demonstration of ‘Willow Spiling’ also took place. This traditional technique involves weaving freshly cut willow stakes and rods to stabilise and protect the riverbank, preventing erosion that can destroy salmon eggs. These hands-on activities not only contribute to environmental conservation, but also educated the drivers on sustainable practices.

The legacy programme in Dumfries and Galloway is also supported by the championship’s Technology Communications Partner, Vodafone Business, through providing Internet of Things (IoT) hydrosensor solutions to help monitor the water quality and temperature levels of the river. In 2023, Vodafone Business planted temperature sensors to gather urgently needed readings from the distant and varied locations on the Nith. The objective is to create a stream of data across the seasons that will enable the scientists to understand the trends and what was happening in different parts of the river.

Ali Russell, Managing Director of Extreme E, said: 

“I believe the Legacy Programme in Scotland is one of the most impactful in the championship’s history, not only in terms of delivering vital ecological work but also the breadth of collaboration.

“The drivers really got into the fine detail of understanding the importance of Atlantic salmon conversation in Scotland, and it has been great to work alongside the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board and Vodafone Business to partner on such an impactful initiative that will be in place for many years to come.”

For centuries, the River Nith has been home to one of Scotland’s most iconic species, the Atlantic salmon. However, the number of adult salmon returning to Scottish rivers from the Atlantic ocean has declined steeply in recent decades. Atlantic salmon play a vital role in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems as both predator and prey. They are an indicator species; the health of salmon populations closely reflects the status of their larger marine ecosystem.

Each individual salmon returns from the wider Atlantic Ocean to spawn in the river where it hatched so rivers, such as the Nith, around the Atlantic are home to distinct subpopulations of this salmon. If the Atlantic Salmon cannot return to their spawning ground due to temperature changes in the water or the effects of erosion, this disrupts the life cycle,

For centuries, the River Nith has been home to one of Scotland’s most iconic species, the Atlantic salmon. However, the number of adult salmon returning to Scottish rivers from the Atlantic ocean has declined steeply in recent decades. Atlantic salmon play a vital role in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems as both predator and prey. They are an indicator species; the health of salmon populations closely reflects the status of their larger marine ecosystem.

Jim Henderson, Fishery Director at the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board, said: 

“Salmon is a really big part of Scotland’s legacy and history. It’s really important for our wider environmental ecosystem that we do everything that we possibly can to make sure that they’re there for our future generations. It is an important environmental issue and it is great that Extreme E and its drivers are using their platform to raise awareness.

“This is a genuine legacy project, which we will see the benefits of in many years to come.”

With the assistance of Extreme E stemming from 2023’s initial legacy activities at the River Nith, the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board has planted over 1,200 native trees, established a plant nursery and built fences to protect the river habitat.

This has helped to stabilise the riverbanks, which minimises erosion and salmon egg mortality, whilst also keeping grazing sheep out, allowing the trees to grow. The trees also cast shade over the rivers which cool the water temperature, as temperatures over 23 ̊C cause detrimental issues for salmon.

The investment to support the Hydro X Prix legacy initiative has also resulted in the development of a Nith District plant nursery at the River Nith’s headquarters, which enables cost effective planting and ability to germinate local trees before their transplantation into the river banks.

Just last month, and supported by a class of local schoolchildren from Kelloholm Primary School, the championship visited the plant nursery to observe the growth of seedlings – as well as plant some of their own which, when ready, will be transported and planted on the riverbank to benefit the area for years to come.