Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery statistics 2024

Salmon net fishery

Under the Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulations, retention of salmon caught in coastal waters has been prohibited since the 2016 season. This restriction applies mainly to fixed engine fisheries. Net fisheries were first required to report caught and released fish for the 2021 season.

The total number of salmon reported as caught and retained in the net and coble fishery for 2024 (393) was the second lowest since 1952. A further 169 were reported as caught and released (30% release rate). The haaf net fishery in the Solway region reported nine caught and retained salmon, and 130 caught and released salmon (94% released). Other types of fixed engine fisheries reported no caught and retained salmon, and 234 caught and released salmon (100% released).

Data source: 2024 Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery statistics, Supplementary Tables, Table 2, from the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate.