Conservation bodies have urged ministers to take action to try and halt a decline of wild salmon in Scotland’s rivers following a recent report the numbers found in the River Tay over last few years were “as low as they have ever been”.
Statistics released by the Scottish Government last week showed the total reported rod catch of wild salmon in Scotland for 2021 was 35,693, the lowest on record and just 75 per cent of the previous five-year average.
The figures came after Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board fisheries director Dr David Summers confirmed to members during the group’s most recent annual public meeting the number caught on the Tay in 2021 was down to somewhere between 4000 and 5000.
He told members in March this year: “In the last few years catches have been as low as they have ever been. COVID had an impact in 2020 and 2021 but notwithstanding there was still a relatively low catch compared to the past.
“We’re down to about 4000 or 5000 which is still quite a lot of salmon relative to other rivers but we’re all aware salmon is not in such a good place.
“This spring the catches haven’t been that good and they are down pretty much everywhere which is concerning.”
Reacting to the latest national figures Dr Alan Wells, chief executive of Fisheries Management Scotland, said last week ministers had to act now to deliver on objectives set out in its recently published Scottish Wild Salmon Strategy aimed at reviving salmon populations.
“The Scottish Government recognise in the Wild Salmon Strategy that there is now unequivocal evidence that populations of Atlantic salmon are now at crisis point,” he said.
“The latest figures underline just how grave the situation has become. We are urging the government to deliver its existing commitments without delay, and to go much further in all the areas where they have the power to make a difference.
“And we are asking all members of the public to join that call to action.
“An iconic national species is at stake, along with the ecosystems which rely on healthy runs of returning salmon.
“And fragile rural economies which are already struggling because of COVID restrictions and the cost of living crisis are facing a further squeeze from a decline in angling income.
“Jobs have gone. More are now on the line.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson responded: “We know that there is now significant evidence showing that populations of Atlantic salmon across the world are at crisis point, and that we must reinvigorate our collective efforts, both nationally and internationally, to ensure a positive future for the iconic species.
“In response, we have worked closely with a range of organisations, including Fisheries Management Scotland, to develop an ambitious new Wild Salmon Strategy.
“We are currently working with stakeholders to develop an implementation plan for publication by the end of the year which will guide collective action for wild Atlantic salmon across government, business and charitable sectors.
“We have also taken a number of immediate actions to address the issue.
“A range of conservation measures are already in place, including measures that do not allow anglers or netting operations to retain salmon caught in rivers with low stocks.
“We also continue to ban coastal netting for wild salmon. Local efforts to support the recovery of wild salmon populations across the country are also taking place.”
