(Image:
Seal captured on a ghillie's camera)
Much has happened since the last 5 year review of seal licensing and the feeling among ghillies and river workers is that the licensing process now needs to reflect the urgency being demanded in other policy areas, as a reaction to the Nature Emergency.
This is happening across other areas such as in the draft Natural Environment Bill; in particular the measures being proposed for the management of deer.
That draft Bill introduces new powers on the basis that Scottish Government require additional levers to achieve pressing nature and climate priorities such as woodland regeneration and peatland restoration.
Salmon conservation, too, is a Scottish Government priority, as set out in the Wild Salmon Strategy.
It is not incongruous, therefore, to suggest that licensing can be one mechanism whereby Government can explore deeper actions to achieve urgent priorities (such as recovery of salmon stocks), even for a time limited period.
Based on empirical and observational evidence from professionals working on Scotland’s rivers, every day, there is a strong rationale for this. There is also a sound scientific basis.
With the exception of a slight and inconsistent upturn on some rivers in 2024, the pattern of rod catches (described by Marine officials as an indicator of wild salmon spawning stock) is generally downward, even from the last 5 year review period.
Wild salmon have also been officially classified as endangered in the UK, reflecting the extent of the difficulties faced by the species and the very real threat of loss.
There is a strong argument for a reappraisal of the balance, in species conservation terms, between our declining wild salmon and the increasing populations of (particularly) grey seals that are predating upon them in our river systems.
With the general consensus being that non-lethal deterrents are having no discernible impact in-river, is the licensing mechanism now adequately addressing the conservation threats wild salmon face?
That is the key question.
In light of this threat, should this review not go deeper than the previous two?
Ghillies and river workers have an important conservation role to play in informing this process, even if fishery protection is no longer a licensable purpose.
More and more ghillies are recording seal sightings on mobile apps; something the SGA Fishing Group will endeavour to encourage more.
This data helps to demonstrate the changing behaviour of predatory seals, with more observed swimming further and further up-river to feed. Increasing examples of seals feeding on salmon are being captured and logged and the seal species being sighted is also recorded, along with behaviour. This is rich data and the SGA Fishing Group discussed this with Marine officials recently in terms of evidence-based decision making when licences are being assessed.
Regardless of purpose, the overall view from river workers is that licensing processes are now too restrictive to meet new conservation challenges and that year-round licences are appropriate, as has been mooted.
In short:
*The SGA Fishing Group is a standalone fishing arm of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, comprising river ghillies and workers
