This appeared on the BBC news today.
Fisheries experts have called for salmon conservation to be made a national priority amid claims the species is approaching "crisis point".
They say environmental change and the impact of humans across the northern hemisphere is putting the fish at risk.
Conservationists are meeting politicians at the Scottish Parliament to discuss the issue.
The Scottish government said it was committed to developing a wild salmon strategy by September this year.
The Holyrood event includes a round table discussion and evening reception, sponsored by Michelle Ballantyne MSP.
She represents the south of Scotland where the River Tweed alone is estimated to be worth millions of pounds to the economy.
Dr Alan Wells, chief executive of Fisheries Management Scotland, said salmon catches had reached their lowest levels ever and nature was "sending us some urgent signals".
"Official catch figures for recent years confirm this iconic species is now approaching crisis point," he said.
"Some of the factors impacting on wild salmon stocks may be beyond human control.
"But Scotland's government and regulatory authorities now have a historic opportunity to do everything in their power to safeguard the species in those areas where they can make a difference."
On some waters in Scotland, hatcheries are operated, enabling salmon eggs to be stripped from broodstock and grown on in controlled conditions before being released back into the river.
The idea is to eliminate factors which can lead to early mortality, improving the chances of salmon reaching maturity, putting more fish into the system.
However, some ghillies and river workers with hatcheries are seeing increasing restrictions placed on the activity by Marine Scotland, who have developed a new position on stocking.
They are concerned that the fisheries scientists’ standpoint could become official government policy without proper consultation with ghillies, riparian owners and hatchery investors and employees.
Marine Scotland officials have discussed their position at river board meetings but have not achieved a consensus within the industry.
With salmon conservation becoming an increasing priority and Scotland’s fisheries struggling badly with declining catches, angler numbers and reducing local economic impacts, some ghillies believe the issue is too important to be slipped through without a full debate.
And while they understand that stocking can be contentious, even within the industry itself, they believe a full stakeholder consultation is the proper route for any future action.
This petition has never been so important to get full consultation of Stakeholders, that is Owners, Ghillies and Anglers alike.
Please click on the link and sign as it only lasts until the 28th January.
To learn more about the petition and to sign: see Petition link: https://www.parliament.
Salmon Fishing Scotland - By Robert White
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