A fish counter network for monitoring Scottish salmon stocks

9. Conclusion

The Marine Directorate requires reliable whole-river counts of salmon from seven to ten rivers for use in assessing the conservation status of stocks. Current data provision falls short of this requirement and the Scottish Government has committed to increase the availability of count data. Expansion of the fish counter network requires collaborative working between the Marine Directorate and others with interests in Scotland’s rivers, whilst increased availability of count data will also help ensure well-targeted measures are taken to protect this economically and culturally important species.

The information collected and presented above provides Marine Directorate and third parties with a range of options and potential sites to consider when looking at any plans to expand the current network. The current network consists of the Laxford, Deveron and Helmsdale counters, and the Dee counts are useful in a local context. Issues affecting the accuracy of the Ayr counter remain, whilst the suitability of data from the Ugie is being evaluated. Data suitability from the new Creed and North Esk counters will to evaluated once they come online. Were suitable data to be available from the SSE counters on the Awe, Beauly, Morar and Moriston the network would then provide adequate coverage.