SCOTTISH anglers have been urged to catch and kill an invasive non-native species of salmon after numbers of the fish have “concerningly” increased across the country.
First spotted in Scottish waters in significant numbers eight years ago, pink salmon pose a threat to the already endangered Atlantic salmon, as experts fear they will out-compete the native fish species for food and habitats.
Two years ago, wild Atlantic salmon were classified as an endangered species and must be released unharmed by any anglers who catch them.
Pink salmon, which are native to the Russian far east, Alaska and Canada, are appearing in Scotland’s rivers in “increasing numbers”, according to Fisheries Management Scotland (FMS).
The firm, which overlooks the conservation of salmon and freshwater fish in Scotland, is urging anglers who catch pink salmon to “humanely” kill, photograph, and freeze for study.
Brian Davidson, director of operations at FMS, said the number of sightings of pink salmon in Scotland in recent days has been concerning.
He said: “Pink salmon may disrupt our aquatic ecosystems through competition with our endangered, native wild Atlantic salmon. It’s crucial we do what we can to alleviate new threats to their survival.
“Sightings and captures of pink salmon in recent days continue to be a cause for concern. 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.”
