Wild salmon strategy: implementation plan 2023 to 2028

Building an evidence base through coordinated scientific research and monitoring

Science and evidence are key to delivering many of the actions set out within the Plan. Our ambition is to have a coordinated approach across Scotland to enable strategic delivery, analysis and publication of scientific data and reports. This will allow resources and expertise to be combined to improve the efficiency and quality of our delivery. It is essential for Marine Scotland, public sector regulators, charities, universities and private sector organisations to work together for this approach to be a success.

This Plan will capitalise on the vast body of scientific knowledge that already exists by promoting collation and review of information into easily accessible formats to support management actions directly. It will be supplemented by targeted research focussed on key knowledge gaps to generate specific and achievable outputs and outcomes for the benefit of salmon. This work will be underpinned by coordinated monitoring of adult and juvenile salmon, together with estimation of impacts of pressures where feasible. A Scientific Advisory Board will be established and administered by Marine Scotland to facilitate this work, with representation from multiple stakeholders.

We will:

a. Establish and operate a Scientific Advisory Board to coordinate and harmonise research and monitoring activities across science organisations and regulators

b. Produce an annual report on the status of salmon in Scotland

c. Maintain regular monitoring using rod catches, fish counters, adult salmon sampling programme, sampling of juvenile salmon through the National Electrofishing Programme for Scotland (NEPS) and assessment of interbreeding of wild and escaped farmed salmon through the National Introgression Programme for Scotland (NIPS)

d. Continue to support the Scottish Fisheries Coordination Centre (SFCC)

e. Develop a coordinated approach to Fisheries Management Plans across Scotland supported by Scottish Government and funding from Crown Estate Scotland

f. Undertake an analysis of the environmental and socio-economic benefits arising from healthy wild salmon populations, ensuring their existence value is recognised

g. Undertake an assessment to determine possible gaps where achievement of RBMP targets may not provide adequate protection for salmon at local and/or national scale

h. Construct an extended fish counter network to improve salmon population estimates