Scottish salmon catches hit 60-year high

THE total number of salmon caught by anglers in Scotland’s rivers has soared to its highest level since records began almost 60 years ago.

Fishermen landed a total of 110,496 during the 2010 season, an increase of 31 per cent on the previous five-year average.

The vast majority hooked on the line were returned to the rivers by anglers under the catch and release policy aimed at ensuring the long-term survival of the King of Fish.

The record figures were hailed as a major boost for one of Scotland’s most important leisure industries, but fishery boards urged caution.

In the late 1960s, before salmon could reach Scotland’s rivers, about half-a-million fish were caught in the nets of Scottish coastal netting stations. The vast majority of netting stations around Scotland’s coast have now been bought out.

Alan Williams, chairman of the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, said the previous record of 96,488 was set in 1988.

He said: “Last year’s rod catches of salmon and grilse [young salmon returning to fresh water for the first time] in Scotland represented a major boost for the country’s angling industry and the associated benefits for rural areas.

“We are also particularly encouraged by the high and increasing percentage of fish released by anglers. This has been largely achieved on a voluntary basis and is testimony to the conservation-minded approach of the majority of anglers.”

But he warned: “We need to be cautious about what catches are telling us about fish stocks. It is important, when drawing comparisons with the past, that we compare like with like. For example, in the 1960s, before salmon got anywhere near the Scottish rod fishery, half-a-million fish or more could be caught annually in Scottish coastal and estuary nets. The clear message here is that, despite strong grilse and summer salmon runs in many parts of Scotland in 2010, salmon are still nowhere near as abundant as they were 50 years ago.”

He added: “We should also recognise that 2010 was another poor year for spring salmon. In addition, the southern part of the West Highlands saw no improvement in catches.”

The report on the catch statistics, released by Marine Scotland yesterday, states: “The total rod catch [retained and released] for 2010 is the highest reported since records began in 1952. In 2010, 86 per cent of rod caught spring salmon were released, as was 70 per cent of the annual rod salmon and grilse catch.”

But the report continues: “Trends in rod catch vary among individual stock components. Reported catch of spring salmon shows a general decline since records began and, although there is some indication that the spring salmon catch has stabilised in recent years, it remains at a historically low level. Grilse catch, on the other hand, has increased over the period while the catch of summer salmon shows little overall trend.

“Catch and effort for both fixed engine and net and coble fisheries remain at historically low levels, and are less than 7 per cent of the maximum recorded for each fishery since records began in 1952.”

The report states: “The 2010 catch returns may be taken as providing some evidence for a sharp short term increase in the numbers of fish both returning to home waters and entering freshwater.”

Richard Lochhead, the Scottish rural affairs secretary, said: “These figures come on the back of some successful years, although we must remember that salmon numbers can be affected by many factors. These results illustrate the commitment of many anglers on our salmon rivers to forward looking management.”