Landowners and anglers key to preserving Scotland’s vital fishing seasons

Press Release

The vital contribution of angling to the environment and conservation, tourism and the economy has been marked as the River Tweed opens for the 2024 season.

At an event held at Kelso on Thursday, Scottish Land & Estates chief executive Sarah-Jane Laing represented the rural business organisation as one of the gold sponsors of this year’s opening.

The opening was officially conducted by the Duchess of Sutherland whilst Màiri McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, addressed attendees at the occasion organised by the River Tweed Commission.

Through the work of members of Scotland's District Salmon Fishery Boards, the River Tweed Commission and charitable Rivers and Fisheries Trusts, Scotland’s valuable and iconic wild Atlantic salmon and freshwater fish are protected despite populations facing a severe decline in recent decades.

In 2023, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reclassified Atlantic salmon from ‘least concern’ to ‘endangered’ in Britain (as a result of a 30-50% decline in British populations since 2006 and 50-80% projected between 2010-2025).

Much of the ongoing conservation work is funded privately by landowners and through angling by both domestic and international visitors, whose expenditure not only supports key expertise such as ghillies but also generates income for the wider rural economy.

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said:

“The opening of our Scottish salmon fishing seasons is not only a wonderful occasion for anglers and rural communities but is also an opportunity to mark the substantial contribution made by those who care for our rivers and fish populations.

“Real concern exists over fish stocks, particularly Atlantic salmon, due to a range of factors including global warming, climate change, altered river flows, a reduction in food stuff for fish and an increase in predators.

“Ghillies and those who own and manage rivers and land are working hard to address these factors where they can and are also taking steps to maintain high water quality in the hope of helping the lifecycle of salmon and trout. In the Scottish Borders, we’ve seen examples of Philiphaugh Estate undertaking peatland restoration that they hope will improve water flow regulation in the Tweed Catchment whilst the Hirsel Estate has carried out planting of riparian woodlands on the River Tweed, a measure that can help to combat rising water temperatures.

“By visiting Scottish rivers, domestic and international anglers bring a lot of economic benefits to the local communities. They spend money on various things, such as accommodation, travel, food, and fishing equipment. They do more than just fish, they also help sustain a wide range of jobs and businesses.

“Growing up in Kelso, I’ve always recognised the huge importance of angling to rural Scotland. It’s a real honour to be part of the River Tweed Commission opening ceremony for the 2024 Salmon Fishing Season, and on behalf of Scottish Land & Estates, we pay tribute to those who will undoubtedly make the 2024 season a great success.”