Wild Salmon Pressures Tool

Location: National Project
Year: 2021
Status: Completed
Project Topics: Multiple
Type: Evidence-based Management, Science and Research
Workstream: Evidence-based Management

Summary

The Pressures Mapping Project was a national initiative designed to assess and communicate the key pressures impacting wild Atlantic salmon in Scotland. Through the development of a web-based data collection and mapping tool, the project provided fisheries managers, policymakers, and conservationists with a clear and accessible overview of the threats facing salmon populations. The project was the first comprehensive, national-scale summary of these pressures, supporting targeted management actions and policy decisions.

Outputs

  • Interactive Mapping Tool: A web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) that visualises the extent and severity of pressures on wild salmon at the local, regional, and national levels. This tool allows users to explore key pressures in specific catchments and river reaches.
  • Data Application for Summary Analysis: A digital application enabling users to view and analyse summarised data across different geographic scales, helping to identify trends, emerging threats, and priority areas for intervention.
  • National and Regional Summary Report: A published assessment outlining the spatial extent and severity of pressures acting on salmon populations across Scotland. The report serves as a reference for fisheries managers and policymakers to guide conservation efforts and regulatory measures.

Funding

The project was initially supported by a grant from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. A subsequent phase of work in 2021 received additional financial support from the Scottish Government, enabling updates and refinements to the mapping tool and data analysis.

Partners

The project was a collaborative effort involving:

  • Marine Scotland Science – Provided scientific expertise and analytical methodologies.
  • Scottish Fisheries Coordination Centre (SFCC) – Developed the GIS tool and managed data collection.
  • Fisheries Management Scotland – Led project coordination and stakeholder engagement.
  • District Salmon Fishery Boards (DSFBs) & Fisheries Trusts – Contributed local data and expert assessments on salmon pressures.
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