WIREDGOV

Salmon and Sea Trout Fishery Statistics 2014 Season.

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today published the salmon and sea trout fishery statistics for the 2014 season.

Salmon

Total reported rod catch (retained and released) for 2014 was 45,175. Total reported rod catch in 2010 was the highest on record. This total has dropped in each subsequent year and 2014 was the second lowest year on record, 53% of the previous 5-year average.

The proportion of the rod catch accounted for by catch and release was the highest reported since these figures were first recorded in 1994. In 2014, 93% of rod caught spring salmon were released, as was 82% of the annual rod catch. A proportion of fish released from the rod fishery may be re-caught and hence inflate the catch statistics by appearing in the reported data more than once.

Trends in rod catch varied among individual stock components. Reported catch of spring salmon generally declined since records began, and although there is some indication that catch has stabilised in recent years, it remains at a historically low level. Overall catch of salmon and grilse in later months generally increased to 2010, after which it has fallen sharply.

Catch and effort for both fixed engine and net & coble fisheries remain at historically low levels. Reported catch in each fishery was 13,343 and 4,435; 5% and 2% of the maximum reported in the respective time series. Fishing effort in these fisheries was 230.5 trap months and 55 crew months; the fifth lowest and lowest, respectively, since records began in 1952.

Sea Trout

The total reported rod catch of sea trout (retained and released) for 2014 was 22,058. Catches have declined over much of the period since 1952, when records began, although they appear to have stabilised in recent years with the 2014 catch at 98% of the previous 5-year average.

The proportion of the rod catch accounted for by catch and release in 2014 was 80%, the highest reported since these figures were first recorded in 1994. A proportion of fish released from the rod fishery may be re-caught and hence inflate the catch statistics by appearing in the reported data more than once.

Catch and effort for both fixed engine and net & coble fisheries remain at historically low levels. Reported catch in each fishery was 2,380 and 3,728; 4% and 2% of the maximum reported in the respective time series. Fishing effort in these fisheries was 230.5 trap months and 55 crew months; the fifth lowest and lowest, respectively, since records began in 1952.

Notes To Editors

The data have been collected and collated by Marine Scotland Science and the Salmon and Sea Trout Fishery Statistics for 2014 can be accessed at: 
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Publications/stats/SalmonSeaTroutCatches

The publication provides a summary of rod and net catch together with net fishing effort for the 2014 fishing season. It is based on returns from proprietors, occupiers or agents of salmon and sea trout fisheries throughout Scotland.

The statistics for the 2014 season are a summary of the data from 1875 forms returned from 2014 forms issued (93% return rate). Final published statistics for the previous 10 years have been based on return rates of forms between 93% and 96%.

Marine Scotland Science Report “Status of Scottish Salmon and Sea Trout Stocks 2014” summarises the status of Scottish salmon and sea trout stocks based on reported rod catch data together with information from fish counters and fixed traps and may be downloaded at:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Publications/publicationslatest/Science/MSSR