Salmon & sea trout fishery statistics 2025

Salmon net fishery

Under the Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulations, retention of salmon caught in coastal waters has been prohibited since the 2016 season. This restriction applies mainly to fixed engine fisheries. Net fisheries were first required to report caught and released fish for the 2021 season.

The total number of salmon reported and caught and retained in the net and coble fishery for 2025 (175) was the lowest since 1952. A further 96 were reported as caught and released (35% release rate). The haaf net fishery in the Solway region reported 20 caught and retained salmon, and 277 caught and released salmon (93% released). Other types of fixed engine fisheries reported no caught and retained salmon and 345 caught and released salmon (100% released).

Data source: 2025 Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery statistics, Supplementary Tables, Table 2, from the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate.