Sea trout fishery statistics - 2012 season

Summary

• Total reported sea trout catch (retained and released) in Scotland as a whole in 2012 was 22,051. Catches have declined over much of the period since 1952, when our records began. Total reported catch in 2012 had decreased by 3% compared to the previous 5-year average and was the fifth lowest in the 61 year time series.
  
• The proportion of the total rod catch accounted for by catch and release remains among the highest since records began in 1994 and accounted for 71% of the catch in 2012.
  
• There are clear differences among geographic regions in the relative strength of the 2012 rod catch. All mainland regions in the west of Scotland reported catches which were within the lowest eleven recorded for their region over the period 1952 to 2012. The reported catch in Moray Firth and North East regions were, similarly, the lowest and fifth lowest respectively over the same period. Catches in the East and North regions in 2012 were, on the other hand, both among the top ten catches recorded within their respective regions, while the catch recorded in the Outer Hebrides was close to the mid-point in the time series.
  
• Catch and effort for both fixed engine and net & coble fisheries remain at historically low levels. Reported catch in each fishery was 2,433 and 2,682; 4% and 1% of the maximum reported in the respective time series. Fishing effort in these fisheries was 236.5 trap months and 78.5 crew months; the fifth and sixth lowest, respectively, since records began in 1952.
  
• The information presented here is a summary of the data from 1,864 forms returned from 2,018 issued (92% return rate) for the 2012 season. Return rates for the previous 10 years have been between 93% and 96%.
  

Current status of stocks

Since 2003, rod catches of sea trout in Scotland as a whole have been among the lowest in the time-series.The catch in 2012 was the fifth lowest in the 61 year time series.

There are clear differences among geographic regions in the relative strength of the 2012 rod catch. Catches in all mainland regions in the west of Scotland together with the Moray Firth and North East regions are at historically low levels, while catches in the East and North Regions are among the highest catches recorded within their respective regions over the last 61 years. The catch recorded in the Outer Hebrides was close to the mid-point of the time series for that region.

The status of stocks on smaller geographical scales ( e.g. among or within catchments) may differ both from each other and also from the overall assessments presented above.