Salmon caught by fisherman in Scotland over 90,000 for 2007
By Paul Eccleston
More than 90,000 salmon were caught by anglers in Scotland in 2007, the latest figures have revealed.
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It was the third highest catch since records began in 1952.
The total reported catch was 91,053 of which 55,472 (or 61 per cent) were released back into the water. Prior to 2007, 90,000 had only been exceeded twice in the last half-century (96,488 in 1988 and 92,918 in 2004).
The number of salmon and grilse killed fell to 65,468, of which 19,468 were killed by netsmen.
The total reported Scottish catch of sea trout in 2007 was 27,115, compared to 28,824 in 2006. The 2007 figure breaks down into 5,574 killed by netsmen, 10,383 killed by anglers and 11,158 released by rods.
Hugh Campbell Adamson, Chairman of the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, said: "This is the fourth consecutive year of encouraging rod catches for salmon.
"Although the numbers were boosted by some ideal summer angling conditions (plenty of rain), the rod catch trend over the last four years suggests that the number of salmon currently entering our rivers is fairly stable and on most rivers robust.
"All the hard work over the last decade by Scotland's salmon managers and fishery biologists to improve and conserve salmon stocks in the freshwater environment is now paying dividends despite the uncertain nature of marine survival.
"Anglers are playing a vital part in our conservation efforts with 2007 seeing a quantum leap in the number of salmon caught and released. This amounted to 61 per cent of the total salmon rod catch and a major increase to 74 per cent of the spring salmon catch (to the end of April)".
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Mr Campbell Adamson added: "Although the overall salmon rod catch numbers are heartening, we have continuing concerns about spring stocks in many areas - particularly the very early-running fish - and the erratic nature and condition of the grilse runs.
"The continuing decline in sea trout catches is particularly worrying. Until we can counteract this decline, it is vital that as many adult sea trout as possible are allowed to survive to spawn successfully".
The figures were revealed in the annual Statistical Bulletin "Scottish Salmon and Sea Trout Catches".
It was the third highest catch since records began in 1952.
The total reported catch was 91,053 of which 55,472 (or 61 per cent) were released back into the water. Prior to 2007, 90,000 had only been exceeded twice in the last half-century (96,488 in 1988 and 92,918 in 2004).
The number of salmon and grilse killed fell to 65,468, of which 19,468 were killed by netsmen.
The total reported Scottish catch of sea trout in 2007 was 27,115, compared to 28,824 in 2006. The 2007 figure breaks down into 5,574 killed by netsmen, 10,383 killed by anglers and 11,158 released by rods.
Hugh Campbell Adamson, Chairman of the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, said: "This is the fourth consecutive year of encouraging rod catches for salmon.
"Although the numbers were boosted by some ideal summer angling conditions (plenty of rain), the rod catch trend over the last four years suggests that the number of salmon currently entering our rivers is fairly stable and on most rivers robust.
"All the hard work over the last decade by Scotland's salmon managers and fishery biologists to improve and conserve salmon stocks in the freshwater environment is now paying dividends despite the uncertain nature of marine survival.
"Anglers are playing a vital part in our conservation efforts with 2007 seeing a quantum leap in the number of salmon caught and released. This amounted to 61 per cent of the total salmon rod catch and a major increase to 74 per cent of the spring salmon catch (to the end of April)".
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Mr Campbell Adamson added: "Although the overall salmon rod catch numbers are heartening, we have continuing concerns about spring stocks in many areas - particularly the very early-running fish - and the erratic nature and condition of the grilse runs.
"The continuing decline in sea trout catches is particularly worrying. Until we can counteract this decline, it is vital that as many adult sea trout as possible are allowed to survive to spawn successfully".
The figures were revealed in the annual Statistical Bulletin "Scottish Salmon and Sea Trout Catches".
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