Sea trout fishery statistics: 2014 season

Catch and Effort Reported by Scottish Sea Trout Fisheries in 2014

The rod and line fishery

In total, 4,308 sea trout were reported caught and retained in the rod and line fishery. A further 17,750 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 appear to have stabilised in recent years, however, and the total reported rod catch in 2014 of 22,058 was 98% of the previous 5-year average (Figure 1).

Finnock are sea trout which have spent less than a year 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 any of the longer term data sets summarised here. The total rod catch of finnock in 2014 was 9,730 which was an increase of 27% compared to the previous 5-year average (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Rod and Line Fishery.

Catch and release

The proportion of the rod catch accounted for by catch and release has generally increased since 1994, when catch and release information was first recorded (Figure 2) and accounted for 80% of the total rod catch in 2014. In total 94% of finnock taken by the rod fishery were subsequently released in 2014. A proportion of fish released from the rod fishery may be re-caught and hence inflate the catch statistics by appearing in the reported data more than once.

Figure 2 Catch and Release, Rod and Line Fishery.

The net fisheries

2,380 sea trout were reported caught and retained in the fixed engine fishery. The national index of fishing effort was 203.5 trap months. A total of 3,728 sea trout was reported caught and retained in the net & coble fishery, and the reported effort was 55 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 (Figures 3 & 4). In 2014, fishing effort in the fixed engine and net & coble fisheries was the fifth lowest and lowest, respectively, since records began in 1952. Reported catch in each fishery was 4% and 2% of the maximum reported in the respective time series.

The catch by fishing method

In 2014, 79% of the total annual reported catch was accounted for by the rod fisheries. Fixed engine and net & coble fisheries comprised 8% and 13% respectively. Restricting the analysis to the retained catch, the rods accounted for 41% of the catch compared to 23% and 36% for the fixed engine and net & coble fisheries.

Figure 3 Fixed Engine Fishery.

Figure 4 Net and Coble Fishery.

Downloads

Topic sheet no. 67 explains how we collect the catch statistics.

Topic sheet no. 68 summarises the salmon fishery statistics for the 2014 fishing season.

Both topic sheets are available for download at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Publications/TopicSheets/tslist

Summary data for the 2014 fishing season are available for download at http://www.gov.scot/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 historical data may be obtained directly from us.

Contact

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

FRESHWATER FISHERIES LABORATORY
Field Station, Inchbraoch House, South Quay, Ferryden, Montrose, Angus DD10 9SL
T : 01674 677 070
E : ms.catchform@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
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