Provisional sea trout fishery statistics - 2011 season

// PROVISIONAL SEA TROUT FISHERY STATISTICS - 2011 SEASON

Summary

• For Scotland as a whole, total reported rod catch of sea trout (retained and released) for 2011 is 24,049. Despite declining for much of the period since 1952, the catch in 2011 increased by 8% compared to the previous 5-year average.
• The proportion of the total rod catch accounted for by catch and release has shown a general increase since records began in 1994 and accounted for 66% of the catch in 2011.
• In 2011, total rod catch for east coast fisheries increased by 12% compared to the previous 5-year average, while west coast fisheries showed little change. Overall west coast sea trout catch remains at historically low levels.
• Over the time series as a whole, broad scale geographic differences are apparent in the sea trout fisheries. Overall catches from west coast rod fisheries have declined while those on the east, although exhibiting considerable short-term variation, have shown no clear trend. It is important to note, however, that there is considerable variation at finer scales.
• Fishing effort in both net fisheries was the fourth lowest since records began in 1952. Catches in the fixed engine and net & coble fisheries were 3% and 2% of the maximum recorded in the respective time series.
• Provisional data presented here are a summary of the data from 1,795 forms returned from 2,002 forms issued (90% return rate) for the 2011 season. Return rates for the final published statistics for the previous 10 years have been between 93% and 96%.

Publication of provisional sea trout fishery statistics

Provisional sea trout fishery statistics are published to provide an early indication of the performance of the fishery. The status of sea trout stocks, as derived from fishery data, will be considered with the publication of the final statistics later in the year.

These data are derived from a lower proportion of forms returned than the final statistics. The provisional statistics for the 2011 season are a summary of the data from 1,795 forms returned from 2,002 forms issued (90% return rate). Return rates for the final published statistics for the previous 10 years have been between 93% and 96%.

Topic sheet no. 67 explains how we collect the catch statistics and is available for download at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/Publications/TopicSheets

Provisional data for the 2011 fishing season are available for download by following links from the main Scottish Salmon and Sea Trout Fishery Statistics page at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/Publications/stats/SalmonSeaTroutCatches

The data provided for download are the best available at the time of publication. Our records are amended when further information is provided and the most accurate data may be obtained directly from us. If you have a specific request for Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery information, please contact us directly at ms.catchform@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

// Catch and Effort Reported by Scottish Fisheries in 2011

The rod and line fishery

8,242 sea trout were reported caught and retained in the rod and line fishery. A further 15,807 sea trout were reported caught and released. We have no comprehensive time series of fishing effort information associated with the rod and line fishery.

Total rod catches (retained and released) of sea trout for Scotland as a whole have declined over much of the period since 1952, when our records began. Catches have increased slightly since 2008, however, and the 2011 catch was 108% of the previous 5-year average.

Comparison of east and west coast fisheries

Figure 1 East and West Coast Regions

Analysing the catch data at finer geographical scales reveals differences in trends between parts of the country. Historically geographic patterns in rod catches of sea trout have been examined by comparing trends between the east and west of the country ( Figure 1). Orkney and Shetland have been omitted from this analysis as they are not considered to have been fully covered by the survey over much of the time series.

Taking the time series as a whole, analysis of the catch data suggests contrasting trends ( Figure 2).

Figure 2 Trends in East and West Coast Catches, Rod and Line Fishery

Sea trout catch in west coast fisheries has shown a general decline while that in the east, although exhibiting considerable short-term variation, has shown no clear trend. The catch from west coast fisheries is currently the fourth lowest since records began in 1952.

Catch and release

The proportion of the rod catch accounted for by catch and release has shown a general increase since 1994, when catch and release information was first recorded ( Figure 3) and accounted for 66% of the total rod catch in 2011.

Figure 3 Catch and Release, Rod and line Fishery

The net fisheries

1,758 sea trout were reported caught and retained in the fixed engine fishery. The national index of fishing effort was 194.5 trap months. 3,890 sea trout were reported caught and retained in the net & coble fishery and the reported effort was 77 crew months.

Reported catch and effort in both net fisheries have declined over much of the period covered by our records and remain at historically low levels. Fishing effort in both net fisheries was the fourth lowest since records began in 1952. Catch in the fixed engine and net & coble fisheries were 3% and 2% of the maximum recorded in the respective time series.