IBIS/Atlantic Salmon Trust

Boosting salmon numbers: is stocking the answer or the problem?

Why stock?

David Solomon

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Question:- Why stock?

Answer (1):- Because there are currently no salmon in the catchment, and I would like there to be.

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Question:- Why stock?

Answer (2):- There are not as many salmon as there could be in the catchment. I would like there to be more.

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Question:- Why stock?

Answer (3):- Some human influence (e.g. an impassable dam) is limiting production and I need to mitigate for this.

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Question:- Why stock?

Answer (4):- I wish to enhance certain traits or bring some new genetic material into the stock (e.g. to improve runs of spring fish).

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Question:- Why stock?

Answer (5):- I wish to produce salmon for anglers to catch (ranching).

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Delphi rod catch

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Question:- Why stock?

Answer (6):- I wish to use stocked salmon as decoys to attract strays to repopulate the river.

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Requirements for assessing if stocking is the right tool.

1.A clear statement of “the problem”.2.Clear, defined objectives for the programme that are rational, achievable, proportionate and acceptable.3.An incisive assessment of the limiting factors that are presently preventing the desired situation from prevailing.4.Statement as to how and the what extent the proposed actions will remove or bypass these limiting factors.

Boosting salmon numbers – is stocking the answer or the problem?

Thank you.