Special Areas of Conservation

FACT: You can tell a salmon's age from the lines/rings on their scales - just like trees!

Why do we need conservation?
Due to the fact that Atlantic salmon numbers are declining in the UK and Europe, many organisations have been set up to research why they are getting low in numbers and to try to conserve them. These include such agencies as the Atlantic Salmon Trust and the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization.

In the UK, other organisations such as Fisheries Research Services, here in Scotland, and the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, in England and Wales, undertake research and monitoring of salmon in freshwater and marine environments.

Conservation
In Europe and here in Scotland (under the EC Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna (the 'Habitats Directive') some rivers have been specially designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for Atlantic salmon. In Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage is the Government organisation that looks after the conservation and enhancement of the countryside, including Scotland's rivers. Because salmon are part of the life in our rivers, Scottish Natural Heritage looks after them too.

In the European Union there are 145 rivers designated as SACs for Atlantic Salmon. In the UK there are 33 designated rivers and of these, 17 SACs for Atlantic Salmon are in Scotland. These are:

Fish pass installed on a tributary
of the River Spey. Photo courtesy
of SNH CASS Project

Berriedale and Langwell Waters
River Bladnoch
River Borgie
River Dee (Aberdeenshire)
Endrick Water
Grimersta
Little Gruinard
North Harris
River Morriston
River Naver and Mallart Water
River Oykel
River Spey
River South Esk
River Tay
River Teith
River Thurso
River Tweed

QUESTION: Are any of these SAC rivers in your area?

A project which covers 8 of the SAC rivers, named ‘Conservation of Atlantic Salmon in Scotland’ (CASS) has been set up to carry out a wide ranging programme of works to improve salmon populations across Scotland. Half of the costs of the project are being by LIFE, the EU financial instrument assisting with the conservation of natural habitats and species under the Natura 2000 network.

Fisheries Trust biologist
releasing a sea trout

Fisheries Trusts
Organisations called Fisheries Trusts can be found in most areas of Scotland. Fisheries Trusts undertake research and monitoring on Scottish rivers. A Fisheries Trust's role is to undertake research, help protect and enhance young salmon and trout populations in their local rivers. The first active Fisheries Trust to be set up in Scotland was the Galloway Fisheries Trust (set up in 1989) and since then is has been carrying out monitoring and research on salmon and trout in the rivers of Dumfries and Galloway.

To find your local Fisheries Trust click here.

Salmon Facts and Figures