Salmon fishing - proposed river gradings for 2024 season: consultation

Salmon fishing: proposed river gradings for 2024 season

Overview

We are seeking views on the proposed river gradings for the 2024 salmon fishing season, which have been calculated from the annual assessment of the conservation status of wild Atlantic salmon populations in rivers across Scotland.

Why your views matter

Your views inform the process of finalising the river gradings for the 2024 fishing season, which are used in the annual amendment to The Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulations 2016.

Proposed river gradings for the 2024 fishing season

An assessment of the conservation status of salmon in inland waters in Scotland is carried out each year and each river or assessment group is assigned a grading depending on the outcome of that assessment. As a result of the latest assessment, we are proposing that the grading of a number of rivers or groups of rivers will change for the 2024 fishing season. A summary of these changes and a full overview of the proposed river gradings for the 2024 fishing season are available.

The detailed changes for the coming year are:

Seven river systems rise one grade from the previous year, including four rivers which will no longer require mandatory catch and release:

• Laxdale and Blackwater (Lewis)
• Laxford and Gleann Dubh
• Lussa River (Jura)
• Soval Estate

Four river systems fall one grade, including three rivers which will become mandatory catch and release fisheries in 2024. These are:

• Laggan and Sorn
• Urr Water
• Varragill River

As in previous years, we propose that the River Leven (Dunbartonshire), assessed at grade 1, should be awarded grade 2 status to reflect the lower grading of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in the catchment – Endrick Water.

We propose that the River Ness, assessed at a grade 1, should be awarded grade 2 status to reflect the lower grading of an SAC in the catchment – River Moriston SAC.

The River Teith SAC is assessed at grade 1 while the Forth is a grade 2. However, the situation is complicated by the overlap between the areas (the Teith SAC extends into the River Forth) and we again propose that we should use the lower of the two grades for both areas, as we did for 2023.

Question 1

Do you agree with the proposed river gradings for the 2024 season?

• I agree with the proposed changes
• I disagree with the proposed changes
• I neither agree or disagree with the proposed changes

Please explain your answer

Question 2

Please indicate your particular area of interest in the conservation assessment.

• I am interested in the whole assessment process
• I am interested in the proposed gradings for all of Scotland
• I am interested in the proposed gradings for a number of districts and/or river areas
• I am interested in the proposed gradings for a particular district or river area
• I am interested in all of the above
• I am not interested in any of the above

Please explain your answer

Question 3

If you are mainly interested in a specific region, district, river or area please specify your area(s) of interest. You can use the examples below to help describe your area.

Definitions and examples

By region, these are as outlined in the supporting pdf documents. Examples include: Moray Firth, North East, Outer Hebrides, Skye etc.

By district, these are as outlined in the river gradings tables. Examples include: Ewe, Gour, Loch Roag, Ythan etc.

By river, these are as outlined in the river grading tables as river name. Examples include: Balnagowan River, River Doon, River Garnock, Wick River etc.

Please give details below

Question 4

Do you have any concerns about missing or incorrect data, such as catch returns or fish counter information, for your area of interest?

• Yes
• No

Please give details below

If you would like to submit further evidence to support your answer, such as word documents or pdf files etc., please send this to salmonandrecreationalfisheries@gov.scot. Please include your unique ID, which will be provided once you have submitted your response.

Please make sure your file is under 25 MB. If you wish to send material larger than 25 MB then please break this into two or more files (each under 25 MB) and send these across in multiple emails.

Question 5

Do you have any concerns about being financially impacted by the proposed river gradings?

• Yes
• No

Please give details below

If you would like to submit further evidence to support your answer, such as word documents or pdf files etc., please send this to salmonandrecreationalfisheries@gov.scot. Please include your unique ID, which will be provided once you have submitted your response.

Please make sure your file is under 25 MB. If you wish to send material larger than 25 MB then please break this into two or more files (each under 25 MB) and send these across in multiple emails.

Question 6

Do you foresee the changes to the river gradings having an impact on you or your business?

• Yes
• No

Please explain

If you would like to submit further evidence to support your answer, such as word documents or pdf files etc., please send this to salmonandrecreationalfisheries@gov.scot. Please include your unique ID, which will be provided once you have submitted your response.

Please make sure your file is under 25 MB. If you wish to send material larger than 25 MB then please break this into two or more files (each under 25 MB) and send these across in multiple emails.

Question 7

What, if any, information did we not provide that would have been helpful in preparing an informed response to this consultation?

Please give details below

Further Comments

Question 8

Do you have any further comments that you wish to add?

Please provide any further comments

Thank you for providing your views

Should you wish to provide further information you can contact us via email at salmonandrecreationalfisheries@gov.scot or write to: