Fisheries Management Scotland, on behalf of the Pink Salmon Task Group is urging the public to be on the look-out for invasive, non-native pink salmon in Scotland’s rivers this summer. Pink salmon are native to the Pacific Ocean but are now appearing in Scotland’s rivers in increasing numbers. They represent a threat to the country’s unique aquatic biodiversity and freshwater fisheries. Pink salmon have a two-year lifecycle, and may reappear in rivers this year, and every second, so called ‘odd’, year in the future.
Brian Davidson of Fisheries Management Scotland, commented, ” we are working closely with our members, and members of the Pink Salmon Task Group to mitigate the risk of this invasive non-native species to native freshwater fish populations. Pink salmon may disrupt our aquatic ecosystems through competition with our endangered, native wild Atlantic salmon. In 2023 wild Atlantic salmon were reclassified by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, from ‘Least Concern’ to ‘Endangered’ in Great Britain and it’s crucial we do what we can to alleviate new threats to their survival”
“We have developed specific guidance to help people identify pink salmon and take appropriate action if one is caught. By humanely dispatching pink salmon, and reporting sightings and catches using our App, the public can play a vital role in helping us understand the extent of the issue and minimising the impact.”
The app can be downloaded for free on Android and iOS devices. To locate and report a sighting of pink salmon and other non-native species, open the app and follow the simple instructions.
What to do if you capture or observe a pink salmon? If you are confident that you have captured a pacific pink salmon:
- Humanely dispatch it, and if possible retain it in a freezer
- Photograph the fish
- Report it on our app
- contact the relevant district salmon fishery board, who will arrange for further inspection and analysis, if necessary.
- Pink salmon which have been observed, and not caught, or any dead fish should also be recorded on the app and reported to the relevant district salmon fishery board.
Read more about pink salmon at https://fms.scot/pink-salmon-in-scotland/