Don Fishery Management Plan - RAFTS

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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
2500200015001000500019521956196019641968197219761980198419881992199620002004Number of fishSpring Salmon Summer Salmon GrilseFigure 3.2.2 Numbers of salmon caught by rod and line (retained and released) in theRiver Don District.Data from FRS Montrose: Fisheries statistics collated for the Statistical Bulletin.3.2.2 Sea Trout FisheryThe numbers of sea trout caught fluctuate greatly from year to year. The overall trend inall method catches has been downward, in part due to the reduction in netting (Figure3.2.3). Sea trout (and finnock) catches by rod and line accounted for 98.5% of the totalcatch in 2007. Of these 70% of the sea trout (207 fish) and 91% of the finnock (32 fish)were returned (Data from FRS Montrose: Fisheries statistics collated for the StatisticalBulletin). As mentioned above sea trout form part of the Don’s Conservation Code. Thefive-year average catches (retained and released) are 587 sea trout and 312 finnock*(*data only collected since 2004).Number of fish600050004000300020001000019521956196019641968197219761980198419881992199620002004All methodsRod & LineFigure 3.2.3 Numbers of sea trout caught in the River Don District.Data from FRS Montrose: Fisheries statistics collated for the Statistical Bulletin.12
Page 1 and 2: RIVER DONFISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN200
Page 3 and 4: 4.6 Ongoing Management 344.6.1 Bail
Page 5 and 6: Salmon, sea trout and brown trout c
Page 7 and 8: 2.3 TopographyThe mainstem of the R
Page 9 and 10: Adjacent to the Don catchment, but
Page 11 and 12: Figure 3.1.1 Distribution of Atlant
Page 13: 3.1.4 Lamprey speciesThe adult sea
Page 17 and 18: 3.2.5 Coarse Species FisheriesRecog
Page 19 and 20: 4. MANAGEMENT PRIORITIESIn order to
Page 21 and 22: instream habitat types suitable for
Page 23 and 24: Lead BodiesScientific research is a
Page 25 and 26: Lead BodiesElectric fishing surveys
Page 27 and 28: Survey MethodFin clips can be remov
Page 29 and 30: 4.2.5 Impact of Known ObstructionsS
Page 31 and 32: Improvement Association collates in
Page 33 and 34: 4.2.7 Evaluation of Hatchery Progra
Page 35 and 36: 4.2.8 Timescale for Survey Programm
Page 37 and 38: 4.6 Ongoing ManagementThere are exi
Page 39 and 40: 5. STAFF STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENTA
Page 41: 8. REFERENCESCalderwood, W.L. (1909

Don Fishery Management Plan - RAFTS

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