World Top Stories News - How will Recovery salmon in Scottish rivers, Salmon salmon population in Scottish rivers : Salmon numbers in Scotland’s rivers have stabilised and may be starting to increase thanks to anglers throwing back nearly all of their catch, according to an analysis just published.
Fishermen using rods caught 87,915 salmon and grilse last year, a drop of more than 20 per cent on the record levels recorded in 2010 but still the sixth highest figure on record.
More than seven out of ten fish were released (73 per cent), including 91 per cent of spring salmon. In 1994, less than one per cent of salmon were thrown back.
An accompanying report published by the Scottish Government said the number of salmon entering Scottish rivers has declined for much of the period since 1952 when records began.
However, a sharp drop in the numbers caught by the netting industry has acted as a “buffer” for rod angling by allowing more salmon to re-enter rivers.
“Data from Marine Scotland-monitored sites which suggest that overall marine survival of Scottish salmon has now stabilised or is increasing,” the report concluded.
However, there is a decline in both the size and condition of salmon returning to Scottish waters, which may act to reduce the average numbers of eggs carried by them.
Alex Hogg, chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, said: “These statistics are very encouraging and prove that individuals can make rational and intelligent choices about conservation without being compelled to do so by law.
“Ghillies and river bosses have done a great job in promoting the benefits of catch and release as guardians of these rivers and lochs and deserve great credit.”
Paul Wheelhouse, the Scottish Environment Minister, said salmon and sea trout fishing play a “key part” in the country’s rural heritage and economy.
He added: “The upward trend in catch and release is therefore welcome and demonstrates that anglers are very aware of the need to sustainably fish salmon and sea trout.”
The statistics show anglers caught and retained 24,105 wild salmon and grilse, while catching and releasing a further 63,810. The total is 26 per cent more than the average annual catch recorded since records began.
Although there are some indicators that the spring salmon population is stabilising, it remains at a historically low level.
A total of 13,802 wild salmon and grilse were reported caught and retained in the fixed engine fishery, the fourth lowest figure since records began.
Meanwhile, separate figures showed anglers caught 23,324 sea trout last year, the sixth lowest figure on record. However, the total represented an increase of four per cent on the average recorded in the preceding five years.
Seven out of ten fish were thrown back, but the analysis found “clear differences” in the levels of rod catch across the country.
All parts of the west of Scotland reported catches which were within the lowest five totals since 1952, while the Moray Firth and Aberdeenshire also recorded historically low levels of sea trout.
However, catches in the East and North in 2011 were among the top two catches recorded within their respective regions.
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