Putting Nature at the Heart of Policy

Scotland’s policy landscape is complex, with overlapping plans and frameworks. We work to keep freshwater species and healthy habitats at the centre of it all, because stronger protections, better science, and fair enforcement don’t just help nature thrive, they support local communities and a more sustainable future for everyone.

We work closely with government, regulators, and stakeholders to ensure decisions are informed by the best available science to address key pressures.

National Policy and Strategy

The Wild Salmon Strategy is a key national framework guiding our efforts to protect and restore Scotland’s iconic wild salmon. Developed with our close involvement, it aims to tackle pressures across the entire salmon lifecycle. We continue to support its delivery through strategic partnerships and active roles in government working groups.

Learn more about our role in Scotland's Wild Salmon Strategy

Beyond the Wild Salmon Strategy, we engage with, and seek to influence, broader policies that affect the health of freshwater and coastal environments.

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy

Protecting and restoring ecosystems that support wild salmon populations.

National Marine Plan

Ensuring sustainable management of Scotland’s seas, including measures to protect migratory routes and marine habitats.

River Basin Management Plans

Addressing water quality, pollution, barrier removal, and habitat restoration to improve freshwater ecosystems.

Scotland’s Forestry Strategy

Promoting tree planting and riparian woodland management to improve river conditions for salmon.

Land Use Strategy

Encouraging land management practices that support healthy river catchments.

Agricultural Reform Programme

Advocating for farming policies that reduce pollution and improve water quality.

Wild Salmon Strategy

Coordinating national action to address pressures across the salmon lifecycle.

National Planning Framework (NPF4)

Protecting habitats through land-use planning decisions.

Our Policy Priorities

With our partners in the Missing Salmon Alliance, we have developed a series of policy priorities.

Appropriate legislation which puts wild salmon first:

Integrate salmon conservation into broader biodiversity, climate, and environmental policies and targets and ensure regulations are effective and enforceable.

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Free access to cold, clean water:

Accelerate the removal of physical barriers to migration ensuring free-flowing rivers, natural processes and free access to habitat.

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Make polluters pay:

Ensure that fines serve as a genuine deterrent to illegal activities, are strictly enforced and require polluters to cover the full cost of environmental harm.

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Manage land for water:

Adopt a collaborative approach to water and land management to enable recovery of wild salmon and their habitat at scale.

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Improve wild salmon survival at sea:

Protect all life stages of salmon through better understanding and minimising impacts on wild salmon in the marine environment.

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Working Beyond Borders

Our work doesn’t stop at Scotland’s rivers and coasts. Wild salmon migrate thousands of miles across our seas and oceans and protecting them requires international cooperation.

That’s why we contribute to the work of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO), an international body that brings together countries committed to safeguarding wild salmon across their entire range.

Through NASCO, we support efforts to:

  • Reduce marine mortality
  • Promote science-based conservation
  • Strengthen protections for salmon in international waters

We’re proud to represent Scotland’s interests and ensure that global action supports the survival of this iconic species.

Stakeholder Groups

Fisheries Management Scotland actively participates in a range of working groups and forums to ensure that wild fish and freshwater habitats are properly considered in policy discussions. We represent the interests of our members on a national scale while encouraging cross-sectoral and cross-departmental collaboration, idea exchange, and policy integration.

Group name

Led by

Purpose
Scottish Beaver Forum NatureScot The Scottish Beaver Forum was established by NatureScot with the purpose of informing and consulting on the development of a Management Framework for Beavers in Scotland.
Fish and Fisheries Advisory Group (subgroup of SBAG) FMS This group was formed to provide additional information and advice to the Scottish Beaver Advisory Group and the Wild Salmon Strategy Delivery Group in relation to the interactions between beavers and the conservation and management of fish and fisheries in Scotland.
National Species Reintroduction Forum NatureScot The forum’s role is to consider broad-scale, strategic issues relating to native species reintroductions and other types of conservation translocations in Scotland.
Wild Salmon Strategy Delivery Group Scottish Government This group oversees and coordinates the delivery of the actions set out in the Wild Salmon Strategy and ensures that progress is achieved across government, agencies and stakeholders.
Wild Salmon Strategy Evidence Board Scottish Government This board provides scientific and technical oversight for the Wild Salmon Strategy, commissions and reviews research, and ensures that the strategy is underpinned by robust evidence and monitoring.
Scottish Aquaculture Council Scottish Government The Scottish Aquaculture Council was formed in 2022 to help Ministers deliver their commitment to a sustainable, diverse, competitive and economically viable aquaculture industry, which operates within environmental limits, with social licence and which ensures that there is a thriving marine ecosystem for future generations.
Scottish Marine Energy Research (ScotMER) Scottish Government The Diadromous Fish Specialist Receptor Group is concerned with the identification and prioritisation of evidence gaps related to the health, distribution, and impacts on Diadromous fish (salmon, sea trout, etc.) associated with consenting offshore renewable developments.
Moray Firth Regional Advisory Group Scottish Government The Moray Firth Regional Advisory Group (“MFRAG”) has been set up to ensure that appropriate and effective monitoring of the impacts of the developments are undertaken to satisfy the requirements of the section 36 consent and marine licence conditions of offshore windfarms in the Moray Firth.
Forth and Tay Regional Advisory Group Scottish Government The Forth & Tay Regional Advisory Group (“FTRAG”) has been set up to ensure that appropriate and effective monitoring of the impacts of the developments are undertaken to satisfy the requirements of the section 36 consent and marine licence conditions of offshore windfarms in the Forth and Tay region.
SEPA National Engagement Forum FMS The SEPA National Engagement Forum, led by FMS, provides a national platform for local river and fisheries managers to engage with SEPA on its regulatory approach, policy changes and issues relating to the management of Scotland’s water environment, including fisheries interests.
Wild Salmon Strategy – Policy Framework and Financial Review Group FMS As part of delivering action 5.1 of the Wild Salmon Strategy, this Task and Finish group examines the future governance, policy framework and funding mechanisms required to support local salmon fishery management in Scotland.
Non Native Species Action Group Scottish Government To advise on work to avoid introduction of INNS and address INNS which are already in Scotland.
Consultation Responses and Briefings

Join us in advocating for Scotland’s wild salmon. Whether you are a policymaker, an industry representative, or a concerned citizen, your voice matters.

Sign the Wild Salmon Declaration today!

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