SCOTLAND’S salmon farming sector has backed calls for a full Holyrood inquiry into the future of wild salmon, amid growing concern over a dramatic decline in numbers.
Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott has urged MSPs to launch a wide-ranging investigation in the next parliamentary session, examining how wild salmon are managed and the mounting environmental pressures facing the species.
The call follows evidence presented to Holyrood’s rural affairs and islands committee by Fisheries Management Scotland chief executive Dr Alan Wells, who said he would welcome an inquiry. Dr Wells also told MSPs his organisation has recommended introducing a rod licence for anglers as part of a national strategy – a proposal now being considered by the Scottish Government.
Wild salmon populations have been falling for decades, with habitat loss, rising river and sea temperatures, and disrupted migration routes all contributing to the decline.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently reclassified wild Atlantic salmon in Great Britain as endangered, underlining the seriousness of the situation.
Latest Scottish Government figures show wild salmon catches dropped by around 40 per cent in 2025, including a 29 per cent fall in west coast rivers – a figure of particular relevance to areas such as Argyll and Bute.
More than 40 different pressures have been identified by the Scottish Government, ranging from climate change to habitat degradation and changes in marine survival.
Mr Scott said the sector supports stronger action and highlighted concerns about current levels of investment in conservation work.
He said: We agree that the next Parliament should carry out a full inquiry into the future of wild salmon in Scotland’s rivers.
Wild salmon numbers have been declining for decades, with climate change, damaged river habitats and pressures at sea all taking their toll.
We want wild salmon to recover, so more money generated by angling needs to be invested in conservation.
He also backed the introduction of rod licences, widely used in other countries, which could help improve data collection and generate funding for conservation projects.
More than 635,000 has already been invested through the Salmon Scotland Wild Fisheries Fund to support river restoration and rebuilding fish populations, with a further 230,000 planned for 2026.
Projects supported include stabilising eroding riverbanks in Argyll, repairing dams in the Western Isles, and improving habitats for juvenile fish across Scotland.
Salmon farmers have also contributed 560,000 towards research into migration patterns through the West Coast Tracking Project, working alongside the Atlantic Salmon Trust, Fisheries Management Scotland and the Scottish Government.
As pressure mounts on one of Scotland’s most iconic species, industry leaders say coordinated action – backed by better data and long-term investment – will be crucial to securing the future of wild salmon in rivers across the country.
