A conservationist who has volunteered for years to keep fish safe in the River Tweed has been bestowed a unique honour.
Craig Burmann-Duke, ghillie at Mertoun Estate near St Boswells, has been awarded a bronze Aquatic Quality Award (AQUA) for his work promoting biosecurity in the Borders waterway.
In doing so, he has become the first person in Scotland to receive the accolade.
He was put forward for the award by environmental charity Tweed Forum, who had followed his work tackling giant hogweed.
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Mr Burmann-Duke encourages anglers to make use of a wash station and drying racks to clean their fishing equipment to avoid the spread of fish disease.
Emile Iles, invasive species project officer for Tweed Forum, said: “We’re delighted that Craig has received this award.
"His dedication is outstanding and makes a real difference in safeguarding the Tweed’s natural biodiversity.
“By encouraging anglers and other river users to take simple but effective steps, he is helping to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful invasive species and protecting habitat for species like Atlantic salmon.
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“We hope his example inspires other ghillies and water asset managers across the Tweed catchment to take part in the AQUA scheme and champion biosecurity in their own areas.”
A ghillie is a Gaelic term for a person who acts as a servant or attendant on a fishing expedition.
The AQUA accreditation scheme serves to protect waterways across the UK by preventing the spread of invasive plants, invertebrate and fish.
It was developed by the RAPID Life project and is managed by Bristol Zoological Society in collaboration with South West Water and the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
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As well as being the first AQUA accreditation in Scotland, this is the first time that the award has been presented in a wild salmon fishery.
Tweed Forum’s invasive species control work is an important element of the £25m Destination Tweed river revitalisation project.
This includes the creation of a 113-mile source to sea River Tweed Trail in addition to multiple environmental improvements.
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