Don Fishery Management Plan - RAFTS

3.2 THE DON’S FISHERIES3.2.1 Salmon FisheryThe salmon fishery on the Don consists of both a coastal net fishery and an inland rodand line fishery. In common with other Scottish rivers, total catches of MSW salmonfrom both fisheries have declined sharply since 1952 when the reporting of catchesbecame compulsory (Fig. 3.2.1). Spring salmon numbers fell sharply at the beginning ofthis period, whilst later-running MSW catches have declined more slowly. Total grilsecatches peaked in the early 1970s but have since declined. In part the decline is areflection of the decreased netting effort: the in-river net and coble fishery at the Cruivesof Don closed in the 1960s and now only four fixed engine stations remain, operatingalong the coast to the north of the estuary at Berryhill, Tarbet Hill, Blackdog and Mennie.In the 1950s the nets accounted for 90% of the total salmon catch, by 1990 this had fallento around 30% and is currently less than 10%. In addition the Autumn run of fish appearsto becoming later and may therefore be less likely to be intercepted during the fishingseason.Number of fish160001400012000100008000600040002000019521956196019641968197219761980198419881992199620002004Spring Salmon Summer Salmon GrilseFigure 3.2.1 Numbers of salmon caught by all methods in the River Don District.Data from FRS Montrose: Fisheries statistics collated for the Statistical Bulletin.Angling catches have shown more varied trends amongst components of the salmon run.Spring salmon catches have declined over the period whereas summer salmon and grilserod catches have shown an increasing trend over the last thirty years (Fig. 3.2.2). Since1994 records have included those fish returned to the water: in 2007 these represented79%, 70% and 58% respectively of the spring salmon, summer salmon and grilse catchesreported. The five-year average catches (retained and released) for 2003-2007 are 221spring salmon, 1280 summer salmon and 654 grilse.There are no fish counters present on the river and so the total run of salmon is unknown.Consequently the proportion of the run being caught, or the exploitation rate, is unknown.A voluntary Conservation Code has been promoted on the Don since 2002 encouragingcatch and release and setting a seasonal limit on the number of salmon and sea troutwhich can be retained per angler (www.riverdon.org.uk).11