Salmon
Total reported rod catch (retained and released) for 2014 was 45,175 salmon.
Total reported rod catch in 2010 was the highest on record, but this total has dropped in each subsequent year. In 2014 it was the second lowest year on record, at 53 per cent of the previous 5-year average.
The proportion of the rod catch accounted for by catch and release was the highest reported since these figures were first recorded in 1994.
In 2014, 93 per cent of rod caught spring salmon were released, as was 82 per cent of the annual rod catch. A proportion of fish released from the rod fishery may be re-caught and hence inflate the catch statistics by appearing in the reported data more than once.
Trends in rod catch varied among individual stock components. Reported catch of spring salmon generally declined since records began, and although there is some indication that catch has stabilised in recent years, it remains at a historically low level.
Overall catch of salmon and grilse in later months generally increased to 2010, after which it has fallen sharply.
Catch and effort for both fixed engine and net & coble fisheries remain at historically low levels.
Reported catch in each fishery was 13,343 and 4,435; 5 per cent and 2 per cent of the maximum reported in the respective time series.
Fishing effort in these fisheries was 230.5 trap months and 55 crew months; the fifth lowest and lowest, respectively, since records began in 1952.
Sea Trout
The total reported rod catch of sea trout (retained and released) for 2014 was 22,058.
Catches have declined over much of the period since 1952, when records began, although they appear to have stabilised in recent years with the 2014 catch at 98 per cent of the previous 5-year average.
The proportion of the rod catch accounted for by catch and release in 2014 was 80 per cent, the highest reported since these figures were first recorded in 1994. Again, a proportion of fish released from the rod fishery may be re-caught.
Catch and effort for both fixed engine and net & coble fisheries remain low, with reported catch in each fishery at 2,380 and 3,728. This constitutes 4 per cent and 2 per cent of the maximum reported in the respective time series.
Fishing effort in these fisheries was 230.5 trap months and 55 crew months; the fifth lowest and lowest, respectively, since records began in 1952.
