Salmon Farmers Support Holyrood Inquiry into the Decline of Wild Salmon
Scotland’s salmon farmers have voiced their support for a parliamentary inquiry aimed at examining the challenges faced by the nation’s wild salmon population.
Call for Comprehensive Investigation
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, has urged Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to initiate a thorough investigation into the management of wild salmon and the myriad of environmental pressures it confronts. This appeal follows testimony from Dr. Alan Wells, chief executive of Fisheries Management Scotland, who expressed his support for such an inquiry, particularly regarding the proposed implementation of a rod licence for anglers as part of the wild salmon strategy—an initiative currently under review by the Scottish Government.
Declining Wild Salmon Populations
Wild salmon numbers have been on a downward trend for decades, influenced by factors such as habitat degradation, increasing river and sea temperatures, and obstacles to migration. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently classified wild Atlantic salmon in Great Britain as “endangered,” a troubling change from its previous status of “near threatened.”
According to statistics from the Scottish Government, wild salmon catches decreased by approximately 40% in 2025, with a 43% decline observed in east coast rivers like the Tay, Tweed, and Dee, and a 29% drop on west coast rivers. The Government has identified over 40 factors adversely affecting wild salmon stocks, including climate change, habitat loss, and variations in marine survival.
Concerns Over Conservation Investments
Mr. Scott welcomed Dr. Wells’ insights and raised alarm over the insufficient investments in conservation projects that are crucial for habitat improvement and supporting wild salmon populations. He pointed out that Scotland is falling behind other nations that employ rod licences for recreational angling, which can be a substantial source of funding for conservation initiatives.
Investments in Wild Salmon Restoration
Over £635,000 has been allocated through the Salmon Scotland Wild Fisheries Fund to various projects aimed at restoring river ecosystems and rebuilding wild salmon populations, with an additional £230,000 earmarked for fish conservation efforts by the salmon sector in 2026.
Past initiatives include repairing aging dams in the Western Isles, stabilizing eroded riverbanks in Argyll, providing cover for juvenile fish in Ayrshire burns, and conducting studies at the Tournaig trap in Wester Ross. Moreover, the fund has underpinned research on the River Carron, where biologist Bob Kindness utilizes DNA analysis to assess the impact of conservation stocking on returning salmon.
Collaboration with Research Initiatives
In a concerted effort to enhance understanding of wild salmon migration, salmon farmers have allocated £560,000 to research, supplying vessels and personnel for the West Coast Tracking Project led by the Atlantic Salmon Trust, Fisheries Management Scotland, and the Scottish Government.
Addressing Data Gaps and Fishing Regulations
Mr. Scott emphasized the pressing need to fill data gaps concerning wild salmon catches and highlighted the absence of a rod licence system that is prevalent in many other salmon-fishing countries. This could facilitate improved data collection and conservation efforts.
Conclusion
In Mr. Scott’s words:
“We agree with Dr. Wells that the next Parliament should carry out a full inquiry into the future of wild salmon in Scotland’s rivers. We also support his call for a rod licence to be introduced to help improve data and support conservation. Wild salmon numbers have been declining for decades, with climate change, damaged river habitats, and pressures at sea all taking their toll. Scotland’s salmon farmers are already playing their part in finding solutions, from funding river restoration projects to supporting research into wild salmon migration. We want wild salmon to recover so that more money generated by angling can be invested in conservation. Rod licences used in other salmon fishing nations could help improve catch data and support conservation.”
Image Credit: Salmon Scotland
