A very informative and balanced film. As a layman I learned a lot about the wild Atlantic salmon, its benefits and the urgent need for action to protect its numbers for Scotland's future generations and communities. There's a powerful message that serious action is needed as soon as possible.
Thank you @JohnMacdonald-qo2wx. We really appreciate your comment and especially your view that the film is 'informative and balanced' as those were two of our core objectives. We hope that by sharing our concerns and objectives to work with all parties, we can collectively help protect 'Scotland's current and future generations and communities' whilst also protecting our wild Atlantic Salmon and its ecosystem.
Finally some positive news - well done for this fantastic initiative. Urgent action is obviously require but I can’t see the Government letting you reduce the number of predators. However, stocking SMOLTS ( not fry or parr - the returns are too low) could offset this - it’s a just a case of doing the maths. We already know that smolt survival rates are around 5% and if you require a run of X number of salmon, to make the river viable, that should give you the number you need to stock. Bear in mind if conditions are right in the river (good water quality, no barriers and low predation) the returns jump to 20%! Good luck!!!!!!!
Thank you @clarewatson1397 for your kind comment and objective observations. Your suggestion makes perfect sense. Please help us by lobbying your MSP. If we could work to increase stocking of Smolts, whilst also achieving good water quality, removal of barriers and lower predation, the numbers of salmon returning to our rivers would increase exponentially year after year. We just need to convince the scientists to do their maths as you suggest. Please share with your network and scan the QR code in the film for more information. Thank you.
Thank you @malcolmbrown5261 for your kind comment. Please share it with your network to help us build awareness of the Wild Atlantic Salmon's plight, the impact on rural communities and the risks to our ecosystem.
I remember during covid the salmon numbers were fantastic when alot of the ships weren't operating. Overfishing ar sea is a huge part of it and our efforts for preservation practicing catch & release are in vain. All rivers were affected across UK and Ireland and scandinavia also
Thank you @Blood_Eagle123. Sadly, nobody really knows what's happening at sea in any great detail. However, your observation during the COVID-19 pandemic is interesting. Please share the film with your friends to build awareness.
It's time for the Government to step up this not a few men trying to save Salmon. In the real world it's a multi million pound industry with great value to the whole of the U.K
Hi Paul, The Scottish Government needs to step up and deliver on the Wild Salmon Strategy Implementation Plan and the UK Government needs to step up on the Eglish rivers and help with finding out what is happening at sea. There is so much to do and little action.....
Thank you @PaulConnor100. Latest estimates suggest that £150m per annum will be lost to the Scottish economy. Sadly this will be felt most in Scotland's rural communities. Please share the film with your network and encourage them to lobby local politicians. If we all try together, the government might listen and begin executing its own plans. Thank you.
Thank you @salmotv7926 we really appreciate your kind words. Let's do everything we can to save the wild Atlantic Salmon and the rural communities which depend on it.
Thank you@@normanmurray3659. We are in the process of lobbying the Scottish Government to raise awareness of all factors. Please may we ask about your experience of beavers in catchments holding salmonids? We'd be pleased to learn from you. Thank you.
An excellent film. There is more than one thing affecting the Salmon returning to all our Scottish rivers. The losses at sea are harder to control. I will say though the sand eels are known to be a major part of the diet of smolts at sea, but they are now being hoovered up to make pellets for feeding thee farmed Salmon. So any Smolt making it to sea has much less food to feed on. Also at sea and in the river mouths, predation by a now huge seal population feeding on returning Salmon also has to have an effect, the number of Dolphins around our coast lines has grown significantly also. Anyone who doesn't think they eat Salmon needs to go to Chanonry point at each high tide and watch them as they throw the Salmon around, playing prior to eating them. As the numbers of these seals have increased they are now venturing up the rivers chasing the fish. On the Dee as much as 20 miles upstream. This is not right but as they are protected nothing can be done. The main predation in the rivers will be from, Goosanders, Mergansers and Cormorants. Goosanders and Mergansers are not a native species but yet are protected. Licences are given out to river boards to shoot a few but I remember a few years back on the Dee the licence over the whole river was less than 10 !! This has to change. So in my mind at sea we could reduce the seal numbers, I'd like to say Dolphins also but I think the public outcry would be far worse than it would be if we ever were allowed to reduce seal numbers which I doubt also. The illegal fishing at sea I doubt we can ever stop. Sand eel fishing to make pellets for farmed Salmon has to be controlled far more than it is, if it is at all. This is a major food source for the Smolts. Herring also have to be protected as they too were once a food source for the Smolts prior to being fished out. On the rivers, less extraction and better means of getting upstream past obstacles, this can be done immediately but where it is being done it is on a very slow scale. And as for the bird predation, I don't have words for it. The Scottish gov have recently changed the seasons for shooting male deer - ie NO CLOSED season, mainly for the protection of trees and "re wilding". An absolute disgrace. Yet NON NATIVE birds which are currently hoovering up our parr and smolts which are the stock we rely on to get out to sea haven't got a chance. Hatcheries may well have a place but you wonder when there are literally hundreds if not thousands of these birds on our river systems now, would we not just be feeding those.... Predation in the rivers is probably the easiest thing that we can do to help but aren't allowed to. Seals being in rivers is not a natural thing so at least let us deal with those if not the huge numbers at river mouths. Most of the other issues other than getting rid or making access easier through barriers will be a slow task. The farmed Salmon industry puts too much coffers into the governments pot for them to change their practices no matter what evidence is put forward to the disgraceful practices that are undertaken. The so called plan the gov has put forward is, putting it mildly a disgrace. Folk need to shout about this. The plan is a peace-meal offer and will achieve very little in a long time. Action needs to happen now. Non native birds on rivers, need to be culled. Seals in rivers need to be culled. This cant wait.
Thank you @alancameron8393 for your kind and comprehensive comment. Your observations are well-considered and provide food for thought for The Scottish Government, other government agencies and the scientists therein. We simply must protect the wild Atlantic Salmon now and for future generations. As the experts in the film point out, the threats to the wild Atlantic Salmon are multi-faceted. Other than wild Atlantic Salmon, all predatory species seem to be protected. To quote Sandy McIntosh, 'Is this fair?' A world in which all species are protected seems much fairer. Nobody is suggesting wiping out any other species, nor are you. Increasing numbers of wild Atlantic Salmon to achieve sustainability must become a minimum requirement. As we move into the lambing season, would it be acceptable if we allowed raptors to kill herds of newborn lambs in fields? When protection for some species gets out of balance, it can have unintended consequences. We must learn from the mistakes of others. This article provides an insight to possible outcomes if we do not embrace a balanced approach. Different species - same argument. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/04/11/calls-sea-eagle-cull-lambs-torn-limb-limb/
@alanrobinson3549 Thank you for your comments. We share your thoughts on hatcheries and stocking. As @bobmason5226 Bob Mason would say, we need the scientists to take action or, as you suggest, come up with another plan before it's too late to avoid an environmental and economic catastrophe for our rural communities and the wild salmon upon which many depend. Clare Watson @clarewatson1397 agrees too. Her point is that the maths are simple if we are to support Salmon. And we thought scientists would be good at maths! Please share with your network and encourage your friends to speak to their MSPs.
Thank you @alexjoss3597 for your kind comment. With 70 years' experience around Scotland's rivers, George is well placed to comment on the reality of the Atlantic Salmon's decline. He and many others are heartbroken at the prospect of this iconic fish becoming extinct by 2050. If we, and our politicians, do not rise up to the challenge soon, it'll be too late.
That film was fantastic but very sad at the same time. I have fished most of the beats on the River Tay over 30 years. Now 30 years on, we have to make films, in the hope that governments will listen. I can go on rant but that won't help. The answer is a well run hatchery. That can produce quality winter parr. When a species is in danger a breeding program is set up! but its not allowed for salmon? Just stop and think for a minute, how many smolts where going out to sea, from all the rivers in England and Scotland many years ago, in their millions. That soup of smolts had protection from each other. When their came back in that big shoal some salmon would have distributed up different rivers. So we need a hatchery on as many rivers as possible to get this smolt migration back. To all the people that think hatchery's don't work need to come up with an idea that does, because we have all been waiting for this recovery, from you, for over 20 years? and its getting worse. If a hatchery salmon that's managed to migrate to the feeding grounds and serve the journey back it has earned the right to spawn. Any genetic defect or weakness will be eaten by Mother Nature, its survival of the fittest. We can manage and control our rivers to help the young salmon serve. Its up to them to serve at sea and hope they come back to spawn. Time is running out this needs to start now. Regards Alan Robinson
Alan, thanks for that. You are absolutely right! Scotland has some world class hatcheries and people like Bob Kindness know exactly how to rear parr and smolts. The genetic weakness rubbish that the Marine Directorate spout is exactly that - rubbish! Using eggs from local wild fish, rearing juveniles in best-in-class conditions, and releasing them at the right time will allow smolts to begin their migration in the best posible condition. As you say, if they get to the feeding grounds and return to fulfil their destiny, they are fit enough. We need decisions and action - fast.
@@bobmason5226 Hi Bob, and thanks for your nice reply. The only hope we have is to tell the public that farm salmon in bad for you and the environment we need to make farm salmon worthless so they stop producing it !!! With the hatcheries we need to just get on with it and do it, we have waited so long for their ideas we need to grab the bull by the horns. If they try and stop us get the media involved. The sad thing in all this, if we start tomorrow its 5 years to see if we are making a difference. We have wasted so much time only to be here know. Still thinking about what to do. The biggest concern i have is the insect life i do not believe we have the insect in the rivers to support the parr. Kind Regards Alan Robinson
I think Sandy McIntosh nailed it. Its predation, predation, predation. Obviously other things happening too but if we could just start with predation ! Please consider for a moment how many other species eat (and rely on) our wild salmon. Dolphins,seals, mergansers, goosanders, herons, cormorants, otters, mink, pike, perch........... feel free to keep adding !
Thank you @duncanmurray-ey5ke for your well-considered comment. It seems like Atlantic Salmon is the forgotten species with just about every other species protected. As Sandy said 'It's just not fair'. And with 50 years' experience, he should know.
We certainly do, not sure about Government. Nature Scot ploughing on with relocation. They may well be great in certain locations but they are destroying wonderful old mature trees in the Tay catchment and river banks in the tributaries
@bobmason5226 Beavers block passage to salmonids, they slow the water which deoxygenates the water and allows silt to settle on spawning grounds killing salmonid eggs, kill the eggs and there are no alevins, no fry, no parr and no smolts. So ultimately, no smolts going to sea means no salmonids returning.
@TayGhilliesAssociation-cf3gn Beavers block/ hinder passage of salmonids which slows the water deoxygenating the water allowing silt/ soil to settle on spawning grounds killing the eggs, no eggs , no alevins, no fry, no parr and no smolts. No smolts , no returning salmonids. They ignored their own report that they had commissioned which warned of location I catchments with salmonids as there had been no research of their effect on salmonids, which is why they reference the benefits to fish avoiding mentioning salmonids.
After a morning on the Tay estuary seeing a sand bank holding 1200 seals on a small stretch it's no surprise there in decline. These seals were huge in comparison to the average grey seal, I'm sure they eat a scary amount of salmon and sea trout, not to mention the large pods of Dolphins coming in to the mouth of the estuary also feeding. Recently seen a video where the decision on closure of salmon farming and since then the salmon then started to return to the rivers Without being able to reduce predation with all protected the future of salmon will stay bleak sadly
Thank you @deanbarnard9343. We'd be grateful if you would share the film with your network, please. Almost every predator is protected. Not so much protection for the Atlantic Salmon, unfortunately. Hopefully, people will become more aware of the threats and impact.
Thank you@@stephenhamill4946. Sandy McIntosh, one of our experts with over 50 years' experience said, 'predation, predation, predation.' It's a very delicate subject which needs everyone to work together to achieve a fair balance. Please share with your friends to help build awareness.
Private ownership of almost every river in Scotland makes it look like an elitist hobby. My quess is foreign ships are catching your salmon. This happened constantly in Alaska until the US Coast Guard started lobing shells over their bows.
Thank you @robertcross6834. I think you might be right regarding your point that foreign fishing ships are catching wild Atlantic Salmon at sea around Scotland. Perhaps we could ask the US Coast Guard for some guidance on effective deterrents. As Ted Eadie mentions at 28:54, members of fishing clubs can fish some of the most scenic rivers in Scotland for £23 per month. Which really makes it accessible to most people.
Thank you Drift-fpv. We agree. If we can all do our bit to raise awareness throughout the UK and Ireland, perhaps we can influence positive change. Please share as widely as you can.
Thank you @silverleapers. We've aimed to achieve a balanced perspective in every aspect of our film. We hope that in doing so, we can all work together to address all threats to wild Atlantic salmon and their ecosystem whilst considering the risks to our well-being and rural communities if we don't reverse declining numbers.
The Scottish Government believe that salmon farming is a money spinner - it is, but for large Norwegian corporations who exploit Scotland's west coast and get away with pollution, unacceptable mortalities and cause huge issues for wild fish. We accept that aquaculture has a place in providing protein to feed growing populations but open net farming is not acceptable. We must get aquaculture into closed containment where we can control the water used ensuring no sea lice, clean water and safe disposal of excrement.
Thank you@@bobmason5226 you make excellent points in your comment. This film aims to highlight these issues to a global audience whilst informing the debate with the Scottish Government and aquaculture companies. Currently, there are misaligned incentives as a consequence of poorly regulated private enterprises. More salmon in open pens equates to greater profits whilst contemporaneously increasing damage to the environment and our marine ecosystem. Often damaging their own fish in large quantities. Big profitable aquaculture companies will argue that they provide employment in rural economies too, whilst achieving substantial economic benefits through high-value exported products. However, this comes with a pending environmental disaster, which on its own could wipe out wild Atlantic Salmon and the broader ecosystem. To your point on closed containment, this would appear to be an effective solution for our environment and wild salmon ecosystem. Unless the government enforces closed containment, I suspect the farmed salmon companies will be reluctant to proactively invest in such systems. Open nets might be killing the environment and many fish therein, but it's cheaper for aquaculture companies. There is a growing awareness within society that Salmon farming appears to be unfairly exploiting our natural habitat. There are several restaurant chains already refusing to serve farmed salmon. Perhaps public awareness will achieve what the Scottish Government appears reluctant to embrace at the moment. Consumers are becoming much more sophisticated in their choices. Providing farmed protein is ok but not at any cost to animals, fish or our environment. Our plea to everyone is to share this film as widely as possible. 7400 people have viewed the film in the last month alone. But we must do more. Thanks, everyone.
I could not help wondering, do people actually fish with ties on in Scotland? I don't want to detract from the message though. I learnt a lot from this video. We humans seem to be a plague on this planet
Let me just avoid any misunderstanding... my comment about being humans being a plague was when I watching the part about sick salmon farms, not about sustainable sportfishing. I also had not got to the part about protecting a non-native species preying on their young. All the best and I hope that it raises real awareness and inspires actual change because it should. It is a beautiful part of the world and like others needs to be protected.
Thank you @@Alex-zs4vb2lt5c for your kind wishes and your observations. We're doing our very best to protect the Atlantic Salmon by raising awareness of its plight and its impact on our society. We hope it inspires change too. We agree it should. Please share the film with your friends and help us raise awareness.
Hi Justine, yes they do. We need to get them out of open cages onto land where they can be protected from sea lice, and require less medicines and antibiotics
Thank you @justinebainbridge9667. Sadly, sea lice infestations are common in salmon farms around Scotland. Once they take hold, they spread like wildfire amongst the hugely populated open net fish pens. If this were happening in sight of people there would be an outcry of public opinion. 'Out of sight out of mind'. We are 'heart sair' too! In Denmark, a small number of Atlantic salmon are farmed in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). These systems are fully enclosed on land and have little or no impact on the surrounding environment.
Seals are natural to the environment but pollutants from sewage is unnatural. Discharges do not get monitored in Scotland we see in the news about pollution in England that’s because it’s been monitored. It is very likely in Scotland it is worse. I have seen discharge leaking into river systems this can not be good. Please don’t think seals are the problem there are bigger problems just go down to a sewer discharge pipe and look for yourself
Sewage discharge is a major issue, gameboy! Many (most?) water treatment plants are out of date and/or not big enough. We keep building more houses and do nothing about sewage treatment. Rain comes, sewage plants can't cope, sewage discharged into rivers. Not acceptable.
Thank you @FraserCheyne. We're working hard to bring politicians of all parties to the table to help save the Atlantic Salmon. It's a bit of a slog so anything you can do to help us raise awareness is greatly appreciated. If you can share the film with all your friends it will help demonstrate the strength of feeling in our communities.
We still have a chance to save the iconic Wild Atlantic Salmon if we all do our bit and lobby our MPs. They have the power to save this amazing fish which brings circa 150m every year to the rural Scottish economy. Please share this film widely with your friends. It’s certainly not too late to reverse this trend. But our politicians need to act now.
Thank you @martin7955. Would you mind sharing your experience of declining numbers in Ireland and its impact, please? If together, we can raise awareness of the key issues, it might strengthen our campaign across our countries.
