Fisheries Management Scotland was honoured to welcome Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney MSP to make the keynote address to over 100 delegates at our annual conference held on Friday 21st March 2025.

Speaking before the conference First Minister John Swinney said: “Wild salmon fisheries support thousands of jobs in Scotland. We all want to grow our local and regional economies sustainably and that means passing on good fish stocks to the next generation. “The Scottish Government’s Marine Fund Scotland has awarded £55 million in grants to over 300 projects, since 2021, including £2.2 million to projects which benefit freshwater fisheries and wild salmon. This includes £130,000 to Fisheries Management Scotland, this year, for an innovative project developing an AI tool for counting salmon. “The Fund will open again in the coming year, with a budget of £14 million, and opening dates will be announced in due course. “I look forward to continuing to work with FMS and other key partners to see Scotland’s wild salmon flourishing in abundance once more.”

The event, themed “Working in Partnership to Deliver Solutions” brought together key stakeholders, experts, and policymakers to explore innovative solutions, exchange ideas, and collaborate on real-world challenges in fisheries and river management.

The conference featured three key sessions. Following the First Minister’s address, Alan Wells, Chief Executive of Fisheries Management Scotland and Nick Halfhide, Chief Executive of NatureScot provided an overview of the current state of Scotland’s rivers, and the urgent need to restore Scotland’s rivers and associated biodiversity for the benefit of nature and people.

The second session focussed on partnership working, exploring challenges and opportunities with a focus on working together to deliver innovative solutions. This included work to unlock nature finance opportunities, river woodland restoration, invasive species management and making global connections with those who have a shared stake in salmon restoration.

The final session highlighted inspiring examples of restoration, including case studies from Loch Shin and 40 years of salmon recovery in the River Clyde. The clear message was that when key pressures are addressed, nature can and will recover.

The day culminated in a panel discussion on the tools available to fisheries managers to address key environmental pressures. The energy and commitment shown at the event underlined the collective strength and commitment of our shared mission to restore and protect Scotland’s freshwater ecosystems.

Alan Wells said: “Scotland’s wild fisheries face serious challenges, but recovery is possible when we work together. FMS and our members and partners are supporting the delivery of Scotland’s Wild Salmon Strategy which seeks to address pressures on wild salmon such as climate change, habitat loss, and human pressures. Across Scotland, dedicated efforts are making a tangible difference – from habitat restoration and scientific monitoring to advocacy that ensures fisheries management remains high on the policy agenda.”