Scottish anglers to keep more of their catch

Anglers will be able to keep the fish they catch on more rivers next year than in 2018 following improvements in the way stocks are assessed.

The annual assessment for the 2019 fishing season has been completed and Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has now launched the annual consultation on conservation of salmon measures.

The consultation invites representations or objections to the proposed gradings for the 2019 angling season, affecting 173 salmon rivers across Scotland.

New regulations will be laid as soon as possible once consideration of representations has been completed.

Speaking from the banks of the River Earn at Forteviot in Perth and Kinross, Ms Cunningham said: “I know that today’s news will be warmly welcomed by anglers across the country, including on the River Earn behind me.

“It’s only possible thanks to the close working between the Scottish Government and partners like Fisheries Management Scotland, local fisheries trusts and other partners, which has allowed us to improve how we assess salmon stocks.

“Salmon numbers returning to Scottish rivers are still on a downward trend so there’s no room for complacency.

“Careful management, including voluntary catch and release, and close co-operation is needed to ensure we protect this iconic species for future generations.”

Ms Cunningham was also joined by the presidents of international organisations committed to conserving and managing salmon stocks around the world, as she launched the International Year of the Salmon 2019.

Joannes Hansen, of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation, and Professor Kim Suam, of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission, are in Scotland to launch the year-long event, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of salmon and the issues they face, and their impact on the communities that benefit from the resource.