On Thursday, 4 December, Fisheries Management Scotland, in collaboration with NatureScot, welcomed stakeholders from across Scotland to an event in Edinburgh showcasing the future Scottish Rivers Fund – an ambitious new financing mechanism to restore the health, biodiversity, and resilience of Scotland’s rivers for the benefit of nature and people. The Fund is expected to launch in 2026.
The event marked a significant step forward as Fisheries Management Scotland, together with its partners (NatureScot, SEPA, Crown Estate Scotland, and the Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government) approaches the final stages of developing the Fund.
This work is supported by the Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS), delivered by NatureScot in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional support provided by the Golden Bottle Trust.
The event showcased the scope and ambitions of the Fund to representatives from across multiple private and public sectors and the opportunity to engage and support the Fund, while also gathering valuable insights that will inform the final phase of the development process.
Some of the key takeaways from the event included:
- Parallels with the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) – a reference initiative that offers opportunities for synergy and, together with the Scottish Rivers Fund, will help deliver a comprehensive “source-to-sea” approach to nature restoration focusing on the aquatic environment in Scotland.
- The Scottish Rivers Fund as a critical market facilitator, helping connect diverse stakeholders with an interest in and reliance on Scotland’s river systems – from organisations capable of delivering on-the-ground restoration, including FMS member organisations, to potential private and public investors.
- The potential for the Fund to play a key role in supporting the delivery of national policy priorities, including the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045, the Wild Salmon Strategy, and Scotland’s Natural Capital Market Framework.
As we look ahead, Fisheries Management Scotland will continue to work closely with partners and stakeholders to ensure the Scottish Rivers Fund is robust, impactful, and ready for launch in 2026.
For further information on the Scottish Rivers Fund, please visit the related webpage on Fisheries Management Scotland’s website or contact us at: general@fms.scot.
