The Status of Salmon in Scotland

The conservation status of 173 wild Atlantic salmon stocks (rivers or small groups of rivers) is assessed annually within Scotland according to how likely it is their numbers are at sustainable levels as part of the Salmon Conservation Regulations process (https://www.gov.scot/policies/salmon-and-recreational-fisheries/conservation/#Background%20to%20Assessment%20Process). Most stocks are in poor conservation status (less than 60% chance of meeting their conservation limit) and these are spread throughout the country. Stocks in good conservation status (at least 80% chance of meeting their conservation limit) tend to be located in east Scotland and contain the majority of the total number of salmon estimated to be in Scottish rivers.

Over the past 9 years, the total number of stocks in good status has declined while the number in poor status has increased. Additionally, many individual stocks in good conservation status have experienced significant declines in the number of returning salmon, highlighting the need for precautionary management.

Since the 1970s, the total estimated number of salmon returning to Scottish rivers has declined from around 1 million to 400,000. Over the same period the number of spawners increased from around 380,000 in the early 1970s to a high point of 670,000 in 2010 before declining to around 350,000 in recent years.