Salmon fishing - proposed river gradings for the 2026 season: consultation analysis

4. Summary

There were 40 respondents to the consultation who had interests in rivers and freshwater systems across Scotland, including from regional and national fisheries management organisations. A quarter of respondents (23%) agreed with the proposed river gradings for the 2026 salmon fishing season while a third, 33% objected to them. Many of those who rejected the river gradings appeared to do so due to their views on the assessment method, or their concern that rivers of interest to them were incorrectly graded.

Some (40%) of respondents expressed views urging for action to be focused on other pressures that they felt needed to be taken now in order to better protect salmon populations. Additionally, 20% of respondents indicated that they felt a 100% catch and release policy would be more effective in protecting and restoring wild salmon populations.

Some potential negative impacts of the proposed river gradings that were raised by respondents included the economic impact on businesses that benefit from angling, a wider economic impact on rural communities, deterring anglers from the sport and areas not being seen as attractive to anglers due to the perceived poor chance of catching salmon.