Thank you. I think that it would be helpful to remind people about the background to the regulations. The regulations were first introduced in 2016 against a background of threatened infraction proceedings from the European Commission and more general concerns about the downward trend in salmon stocks in our rivers. The number of wild salmon in our rivers continues to be an issue of concern, and the regulations were introduced alongside other conservation measures after a lot of discussion with a wide range of stakeholders.
The impact of the regulations was not universally popular then, and I am aware that they are not universally popular now. As Richard Lochhead, who introduced the regulations, stated to the then Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee, we need
“to manage the exploitation of salmon, not just because it is a protected species under the habitats directive but because ... that is the right thing to do. Salmon is synonymous with Scotland”.—[Official Report, Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee, 9 March 2016; c 2.]
That is a good reminder that salmon is a protected species under the habitats directive.
The regulations that are being considered today, which are the third set of measures that have been introduced, cover the 2018 fishing season. They reflect a great deal of work, in consultation with stakeholders around the country, to develop and improve the scientific model and the quality of the data used in that model. They also reflect the fact that the number of salmon returning to our rivers to spawn still shows a downward trend year on year and has reduced from about 25 to 5 per cent.
Although there is a clear need for additional research into the complex range of factors that are involved, we must take decisive action. It is imperative that we take a precautionary approach to determining whether and where stocks can be exploited. If we do not follow such an approach, there is a danger that, yet again, we will face infraction proceedings because we are failing to protect—and failing to demonstrate that we are protecting—our special areas of conservation. Doing nothing is not an option.
We will never have a perfect model, because scientific modelling does not work that way, and there will always be uncertainties. We try to minimise those, improve the assessment process year on year, where possible, and take a sensible approach to protecting our salmon stocks for future generations of anglers.
I am confident that we are using the best available data and scientific advice. For the 2018 season, we have assessed more than 45,000km of Scottish water and more than 171 rivers and river groupings. We have had catch returns from more fisheries than ever before; we have made improvements to the modelling process in discussion with fisheries’ interests; we have consulted more than 1,500 stakeholders and had representation from 192 of them; we have, as in previous years, responded to concerns that have been raised; and we have made adjustments to river gradings in a small number of cases, where that was shown to be appropriate.
Can the modelling be further improved? Yes, it probably can. In the coming financial year, we will continue to invest in order to help with the assessments and, in spring 2019, we will consult local biologists on the complementary model.
We must be clear that the responsible management approach that we are taking is not unique to Scotland; nor are we alone in being so concerned about the health of our salmon stocks. Earlier this month, the Environment Agency launched a consultation on proposals to introduce mandatory catch and release on 32 of the 42 salmon rivers in England, and it proposes to introduce byelaws that would last for 10 years. Ireland has taken the decision to close fishing entirely on a number of its salmon rivers. We have not taken that decision, and our conservation measures allow rod and line fishing to continue in all of Scotland’s salmon rivers. However, they require that any salmon that are caught be returned to the water immediately where that action is indicated in a local area. Anglers can continue to fish; they simply cannot kill the fish on 122 rivers in Scotland.
I know that there is a challenge for anglers and fishery managers alike, particularly when it comes to grade 3 rivers, but we must protect fish ahead of fisheries; otherwise, what we do will be counterintuitive and, in the longer term, will jeopardise angling in a far greater way.
Our approach gives our salmon the best chance while we continue the research and continue to tackle the wide range of pressures that are impacting our stocks. It is the right approach and the precautionary approach, and that precautionary approach is one that the committee would rightly urge me to take across the entire range of my portfolio.