The River Dee is an internationally important environment for wildlife and is designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for its populations of Atlantic salmon, otters and freshwater pearl mussels. The care of the River Dee is the joint role of the River Dee Trust (RDT) and the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board (DDSFB).
The RDT is a charity that has a remit of research, restoration and education, for the river and the fish it supports. The DDSFB is tasked with protecting and enhancing salmon and sea trout stocks.