§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what methods of monitoring the level of salmon stocks and the recording of rod and line anglers' catches are currently employed in the country.
§ Mr. John MacKayMy Department's scientists have research programmes on a number of river systems which involve an assessment of stock levels based on the counting and tagging of fish entering and—or leaving these rivers. They are also seeking information on smolt production throughout Scotland.
Statistics of catches by all legal methods are collected and published annually under authority of section 15 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Protection) (Scotland) Act 1951.