The Scottish Government

CODE

PROGRAMME

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES

KEY CUSTOMER PURPOSE

SF01

Assessment of salmonid stocks and fisheries

· Provide scientific support to the Scottish Government Marine Directorate on the status and management of salmonid fisheries.

· Ensure that the Scottish Government is able to operate effective policies to protect and manage wild salmonid populations, based on sound scientific advice.

SF02

Factors affecting salmonid stocks

· Undertake studies of the biology and biological processes of salmonids in order to provide a better understanding of the non fisheries factors affecting salmonid smoult production and adult returns, including enhancement.

· Process applications to shoot birds and seals under licence, and ensure enforcement.

· Ensure that the Scottish Government's policy on salmonid conservation and fishery management is based on a sound understanding of biology and non fisheries factors affecting salmonid stocks.

SF03

Eels and non-migratory freshwater species

· Provide scientific support to the Scottish Government on the status of eels and non-migratory freshwater species.

· Ensure that the development of the Scottish Government policy is based on sound scientific advice.

CODE

SF0272

An integrated set of tools for spatially-explicit assessment of salmon populations

START

END

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES

KEY CUSTOMER PURPOSE

Apr- 06

Mar- 09

To develop an assessment system for salmon that

(i) integrates all available sources of information;

(ii) is targeted at the population, or near-population level;

(iii) has a predictive capability, and

(iv) is readily accessible to users.

Freshwater fisheries managers require assessment techniques that make the best possible use of all sources of available information. Assessment tools also need to be presented in a way that are accessible and transparent to both managers and stakeholders.

CODE

SF0273

Identifying environmental bottle necks for fish populations in heavily impacted agricultural catchments

START

END

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES

KEY CUSTOMER PURPOSE

Apr- 06

Mar- 11

To develop a process based understanding of the relationship between hydro-ecological functions and freshwater fish population dynamics in agricultural watersheds.

Information is needed on the potential environmental impacts of agricultural activities on freshwater fish populations, particularly in the context of informing the development of regulatory quality standards, e.g. by SEPA for WFD implementation and to ensure that habitat improvement works undertaken by fisheries managers are targeted to provide optimal outcomes for fisheries.

CODE

SF0274

Multiple sub-population model for catchment salmon populations

START

END

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES

KEY CUSTOMER PURPOSE

Apr- 06

Mar- 09

To develop a model capable of describing the growth, survival and spatial relocation of sub-populations of salmon within a single river catchment.

To assess and manage salmon stocks at both the catchment and sub-catchment scales a clear assessment of the value of using conservation limits as currently proposed by ICES/NASCO is needed. This project will inform that debate and benefit assessment methodology.

CODE

SF0275

Development of conservation limits for all Scottish salmon catchments

START

END

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES

KEY CUSTOMER PURPOSE

Apr- 07

Mar- 09

(i) Provide an initial conservation limit for all Scottish catchments against which stock status at the national scale may be measured;

(ii) Provide an alternative measure of the total Scottish conservation limits to the one currently used in international assessment models;

(iii) Improve the useable wetted area model which is the basis of transporting conservation limits form data rich sites to data poor sites.

To apply salmon conservation limits to each catchment in Scotland based on estimated wetted areas from GSI based mapping and to develop systems on which rational salmon fishery management programmes may be based to satisfy local, national and international requirements.

CODE

SF0276

Assessing populations of pike and salmon in wide rivers and lochs

START

END

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES

KEY CUSTOMER PURPOSE

Apr-07

Mar-10

(i) Improve understanding of successive removal electrofishing and mark/recapture methods for sampling salmon parr;

(ii) Identify seasonal variations in salmon densities in lower river mainstems;

(iii) Commence national sampling of salmon populations in wide rivers;

(iv) Develop techniques to track movements and habitat use of pike;

(v) Establish whether cameras can be used to attract and identify pike.

To develop measurement tools and make preliminary estimates of pike and salmon densities in wide rivers and lochs to inform policies on salmon fisheries, predator control and development of non-salmonid fisheries in Scotland. Furthermore to provide information on local biodiversity and to contribute to modelling of impacts of climate change on fish populations.

CODE

SF0277

Estimating coastal mortality and seal predation on salmonid fishes

START

END

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES

KEY CUSTOMER PURPOSE

Apr- 07

Mar- 10

(i) Consider the role of seals on marine and estuarine mortality of emigrating sea trout smolts and returning adult salmon;

(ii) Investigate developing further studies of impacts of marine mammals on salmonid fishes to support decisions on the conservation of seals and salmonid fishes, and to inform applications to shoot seals.

It is clear that marine mortality of both salmon and sea trout has increased markedly in recent times and it is important to determine the likely contribution of mammals in coastal and estuarine areas to these losses. The results will inform future conservation and management for all three species.

CODE

SF0278

Fish biodiversity and community structure in highland lochs

START

END

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES

KEY CUSTOMER PURPOSE

Apr- 08

Mar- 11

(i) Understand biodiversity, biomass and structuring in fish communities in Scottish Lochs and its importance to managing and developing existing and potential freshwater fisheries;

(ii) Understand the structure and distribution of native fish communities to regulate fish movements under the new Aquaculture and Fisheries Act;

(iii) Clarify conservation needs and loch structure to support advice on contingency planning, and the EU Directives;

(iv) Provide information on the impact of climate change on fish communities in Scottish lochs, and on monitoring the spread of non-native species.

The full potential of Scotland's lochs to support recreational fisheries is unknown as fish diversity in these lochs and the biological character of the overall communities has been little studied. Opportunities for further development need to be identified and the biological character of loch ecosystems understood so that appropriate conservation measures be put in place to meet national and international conservation obligations, and existing and potential fisheries be sustainably developed to realise their full potential.

CODE

SF0279

Development of a general spatial model of within river population structuring in Scottish Atlantic salmon

START

END

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES

KEY CUSTOMER PURPOSE

Apr- 08

Mar- 11

(i) Improve understanding of the spatial and temporal genetic structuring of salmon river stocks, and set biologically appropriate conservation limits;

(ii) Consider home ranges of salmon and regulate movements to ensure that non-native salmon are not introduced into populations;

(iii) Provide advice on conservation and restoration initiatives, including Gyrodactylus salaris contingency planning;

(iv) Monitor the status of salmon stocks, and maintain or restore abundance.

Scotland is committed to set and achieve appropriate and realistic conservation limits for Atlantic salmon spawning escapement into its rivers to maintain viable river stocks under the NASCO Convention. Fish movement is regulated under the new Fisheries and Aquaculture Act.

Additionally, under the EU Habitats and Water Framework Directives, fish biodiversity, as represented by genetic and phenotypic diversity among populations within river stocks, must be maintained.