Provisional Sea Trout Fishery Statistics - 2013 Season

Provisional Sea Trout Fishery Statistics – 2013 Season

Summary

• For Scotland as a whole, total rod catch of sea trout (retained and released) for 2013 is 15,824. Catches have declined over much of the period since 1952, when our records began and the 2013 catch is the lowest in the time series.
• The proportion of the total rod catch accounted for by catch and release is the highest reported since records began in 1994 and accounted for 77% of the catch in 2013.
• Catch and effort for both fixed engine and net & coble fisheries remain at historically low levels. Reported catch in each fishery was 2,681 and 3,433; 4% and 2% of the maximum reported in the respective time series. Fishing effort in these fisheries was 238 trap months and 57 crew months; the sixth lowest and lowest, respectively, since records began in 1952.

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, largely as derived from fishery data, will be considered with the publication of the final statistics later in the year.

The provisional statistics for the 2013 season are a summary of the data from 1,869 forms returned from 2,021 forms originally issued (92% return rate). Return rates for the final published statistics for the previous 10 years have been between 92% 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/tslist

Provisional data for the 2013 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 & Effort Reported By Scottish Sea Trout Fisheries In 2013

Figure 1

Rod and Line Fishery.

The rod and line fishery

3,604 sea trout were reported caught and retained in the rod and line fishery. A further 12,220 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, and the 2013 catch is the lowest in the time series ( Figure 1).

Finnock are sea trout which have spent only a few months at sea before making their first return to fresh water. They may also be known as whitling or herling. Finnock catches have been reported since 2004 and are not included in the sea trout data summarised above. The total rod catch of finnock in 2013 was 8,126, a 20% increase over the previous 5-year average ( Figure 1).

Figure 2

Catch and Release, Rod and Line Fishery.

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. In 2013, 77% of the rod catch was released compared to 8.5% in 1994.

The net fisheries

2,681 sea trout were reported caught and retained in the fixed engine fishery. The national index of fishing effort was 238 trap months. 3,433 sea trout were reported caught and retained in the net & coble fishery and the reported effort was 57 crew months.

Reported catch and effort have declined in both net fisheries over much of the period covered by our records and remain at historically low levels. Catches in the fixed engine and net & coble fisheries were 4% and 2% of the maxima recorded in the respective time series. Fishing effort in these fisheries was the sixth lowest and lowest, respectively, since records began in 1952.