Provisional catch data for 2024: EIR release

Information requested

1. Why was the 2024 provisionbal catch compared to the 2023 provisional catch when the final data had been published last May
2. Why were provsional catch numbers for 2023 higher than the final numbers publsihed in May
3. Why is the provisional catch data reported for both East and West coasts when no reference is made to such a divide in the final catch data. What is trhe releavance of reporting catches in this way. Why not North and South too

Response

The answers to questions one and two are available from Marine publications: information on Scottish salmon and sea trout statistics - gov.scot and Scottish salmon and sea trout fisheries: provisional statistics 2024 - gov.scot.

Under regulation 6(1)(b) of the EIRs, we do not have to give you information which is already publicly available and easily accessible to you in another form or format. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

The answer to question three is:

1. The provisional Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery statistics report catch data by East coast and West coast because these are required for reporting to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) to enable management of high seas fisheries for salmon.
2. There is no reference to East coast and West coast in the final statistical publication because it is accompanied by Salmon Fishery District level data which can be used to deduce the East coast and West coast catch numbers if required by the user.
3. The relevance of the East coast and West coast catch numbers in the provisional Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery statistics is that these are required for reporting to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) to enable management of high seas fisheries for salmon. There is no requirement for North and South.

Additional information provided out with the EIRs
Under regulation 9 of the EIRs (our duty to provide advice and assistance) we would like to advise you that:

1. The 2024 provisional salmon and sea trout statistics compare provisional catch for 2024 with provisional catch for 2023 because the 2023 catch has been updated with late returns and amendments since the final Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery statistics 2023 were published.

2. The 2023 catch numbers in the provisional Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery statistics 2024 are greater than the 2023 catch numbers published in the final Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery statistics 2023 because they include late returns and amendments received since the previous publication. This information is available on our webpages

About FOI

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