Wild Salmon Strategy Implementation Plan Delivery Group minutes: March 2026

Attendees and apologies

• Nanjika Nasiiro, Marine Directorate (Chair)
• Claire Speedie, Marine Directorate
• Steven Dora, Marine Directorate
• John Armstrong, Marine Directorate
• Anna Bragg, Marine Directorate
• Ken Reid, Angling Scotland
• Mark Bilsby, Atlantic Salmon Trust
• Fiona Simpson, Crown Estate Scotland
• Alan Wells, Fisheries Management Scotland
• Julia McCarthy, Fisheries Management Scotland
• Colin Bean, NatureScot
• Alexa MacAuslan, Northern District Salmon Fishery Board
• Jamie Stewart, River Tweed Commission and the Tweed Foundation
• Roy Richardson, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
• Roger Knight, Spey Catchment Initiative

Apologies

• Alison Baker, Angling Scotland
• Aidan Robson, Environment and Forestry Directorate
• Linsey Mason-McLean, Scottish Forestry
• Sarah Robinson, Scottish Wildlife Trust

Items and actions

Welcome and introductions

The Chair welcomed members and noted those absent and those attending as deputies. The Chair welcomed Ken Reid, who attended for Angling Scotland and Julia McCarthy who recently joined Fisheries Management Scotland in the role of Wild Salmon Conservation Manager.

Review of actions from the previous meeting

The Chair updated on delivered and outstanding actions:

•  2.1 – NatureScot’s Species Licensing Review has now been submitted to Ministers.  Wild Salmon and Recreational Fisheries Team (WSRF) will follow up with colleagues.  Action remains ongoing.
• 3.2 - SEPA noted resource challenges in estimating additional salmon smolts per year associated with areas of opened-up habitat.  SEPA and Marine Directorate agreed to engage to take forward this work.  Action remains ongoing
• 3.4 – Communication strategy logo. Chair advised potential to close this action, as scheduled for discussion later in the agenda.  Delivered with caveat, see agenda item on Annual Progress Report.
•  4.3 – Action relates to option of virtual dashboard. FMS and WSRF Team to further discuss potential for this to progress. Action remains ongoing
• 4.5 - Action on consideration of diadromous fish in offshore wind applications and how to best ensure this within the consenting process. WSRF Team engaging with relevant Government colleagues. Action remains ongoing.
• 5.4 – Action relates to Implementation Plan Action 1.25. Scoping work underway by WSRF Team and outcomes to be brought to the group at a future meeting. Action remains ongoing.
• 5.7 - WSRF Team and FMS meeting to take forward the action for Marine Directorate to respond to the paper, “A Modernised Framework for Scotland’s Wild Fisheries”. Action remains ongoing.
• 6.2 - WSRF Team continuing to consider future engagement opportunities for industry representatives to attend Delivery Group meetings.  Delivery Group members to share any suggestions of contacts with the WSRF team.  Action remains ongoing.
• 6.3 - Marine Directorate officials have considered how Annual Progress Report publication might be influenced by pre-election guidance. Timeline progressing as previously discussed, but publication will occur after new Government Ministers are in place following the Scottish Parliament election.  Delivered.  

Wild Salmon and Recreational Fisheries Team Update

NASCO Conservation Commitment Report (for 4th Reporting Cycle):

The WSRF Team are continuing work to submit a first draft to NASCO and an update would be issued to the Delivery Group on progress in mid-April.  The final draft would be cleared by new Government Ministers following the Scottish Parliament Election.

Interim Catch Stats:

The Interim Catch Statistics on salmon and sea trout were published on 27 February 2026. These statistics should not be used to comment on trends, but provide an initial look at the 2025 year. The full report on the Catch Statistics will be published in April 2026.

Logo:

3 logo options were presented for the Delivery Group to consider, and agreement met on a selected option, with the caveat that the word ‘Scottish’ would be added to the logo.

Science and Evidence Board Update

The beaver impacts review remained on track for completion at the end of March 2026.  A workshop on large wood structures had been scheduled for 5 March 2026. Work continued on monitoring harmonisation, including sea‑lice monitoring.

Delivery Group Member Updates

WSRF agreed to follow up with Angling Scotland on concern regarding non-compliant introductions of non-native fish, licensing of introductions and suggestion to help gather more data regarding seal sightings.

FMS noted recently meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and reported on their appearance at the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in Parliament on 25 February 2026.

Annual Progress Report: Draft Framework

The WSRF Team provided an update on the drafting process of the Wild Salmon Strategy Implementation Plan Annual Progress Report. The 2025 report would use the same chapter headings and formatting as the 2024 report. Members of the group confirmed that they were content with this approach.

The WSRF Team noted they are keen to include successful case studies over the 2025 reporting period that relate to actions within the Implementation Plan and welcomed those from Members.

Members discussed the status of Implementation Plan Action 1.17, which required Scottish Canals to undertake a review of the risk to fish migration of the canal network and associated management structures.  The Delivery Group discussed whether this action could be marked as ‘Complete’ in the Annual Progress Report.  Members raised concerns regarding the adequacy of the Report submitted by Scottish Canals and requested further engagement to agree next steps. It was agreed to not sign off the action for now and further discussions would take place on what would be needed to complete the action.

Socio-economic Study: Update

A procurement exercise had been undertaken under the Scottish Government’s Social Research Framework but had been unsuccessful. Options on next steps were being explored. The group would be kept informed.

Any Other Business, Agreement of Actions, and Close

Chair thanked members for their attendance and contributions.  Next meeting will be held on Wednesday 13 May.

Actions taken from this meeting:

• 7.1- Wild Salmon team to liaise with Angling Scotland colleagues to discuss in more detail concerns raised regarding non-compliant introductions of non-native fish, licensing of introductions and suggestion to help gather more data regarding seal sightings.
• 7.2 – Delivery Group members to provide positive case studies from 2025, relevant to Implementation Plan Actions for the Annual Progress Report.