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This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Salmon and sea trout catch statistics

22/09/2003

Reported catches of salmon and sea trout during 2002 were published today.

Anglers caught a total of 57,920 wild salmon and grilse, a decline of 20% compared to the 2001 catch and 89% of the 1997-2001 five-year average.

42% of the total caught were released, the highest proportion on record. Catches of spring salmon (caught and retained) were down by 24% on those taken last year, at 3,030. A further 2,231 spring salmon were caught and released.

The reported catch of the net fishery was also down, though fishing effort showed a moderate increase. Fixed nets on the coast took a total of 16,865 salmon and grilse, a decline of 33% and the second lowest catch on record. Net and coble fisheries, mostly in rivers and estuaries, took a total of 6,796 salmon and grilse, the lowest on record and down by 6% on the 2001 figures.

A total of 35,469 sea trout were taken by rod and line in 2002, an increase of 11% on the previous year. 33% of the total were subsequently released. In addition, coastal nets took 4,407 and net and coble fisheries caught 4,560.

Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development Allan Wilson said:

"Reported catch figures provide useful information on the status of the fishery. It is disappointing that catches of salmon, both by nets and rods, are down, but pleasing that sea trout catches have shown a moderate increase, arresting the previous years' declines.

"I am encouraged by the continued increase in the proportion of the total rod catch of salmon which are subsequently released. This has undoubtedly helped to maintain the numbers of salmon returning to spawn in our rivers."

The reported annual Fixed Engine catch of 16,865 wild salmon and grilse for 2002 is the second lowest catch on record. It represents a decline of 33% when compared to the 2001 catch, and is 79% of the 1997-2001 five-year average. Netting effort increased 10% compared to 2001.

The reported annual Net & Coble catch of 6,796 wild salmon and grilse is the lowest on record. This catch represents a decline of 6% when compared to the numbers caught in 2001 and is 70% of the 1997-2001 5-year average. Reported effort increased 6% compared to reports in 2001.

A total of 57,920 wild salmon and grilse (caught and released plus caught and retained) were taken by road and line in 2002, a decline of 20% compared to the 2001 catch and 89% of the 1997-2001 5-year average.

24,042 of the total wild salmon and grilse taken by the rod and line fishery were reported caught and released in 2002. The proportion of the total rod catch of salmon and grilse which are subsequently released continues to increase, and accounted for 42% of the salmon and grilse caught by rod and line in 2002.

3,030 wild spring salmon were caught and retained by all methods in 2002, 82% of which were taken by Rod & Line. This overall catch represents a decline of 24% compared to 2001. A further 2,231 spring salmon were caught and released, representing 42% of the total number caught.

The annual sea trout catch by the fixed engine fishery (4,407) is the third lowest on record, while the Net & Coble catch (4,560) is the second lowest on record. The total number of sea trout taken by rod and line (caught and released plus caught and retained) in 2002 was 35,469, an increase of 11% over the 2001 catch and 99% of the 1997-2001 5-year average. 11,632 sea trout were reported caught and released, an increase of 7% compared to the 2001 catch.

In addition to stock abundance; the weather, timing of salmon runs and the amount and quality of fishing effort can all affect the sizes of salmon catches. For example, during 2002 floods in a number of rivers undoubtedly affected fishing success.