(Image: Tweed Foundation)
A week-long enforcement campaign has been launched across Scotland in an effort to crack down on fish crime.
October traditionally marks the beginning of the Atlantic salmon spawning season, with the amorous anamniotes heading inland to breed when water temperatures drop. Peak activity is generally November and December.
Usually the fish return to the rivers in which they are born, often to the same breeding grounds, and almost all die after reproducing.
At this time of year, wild Atlantic salmon provide a highly visible spectacle as they ascend waterfalls on their final journey to spawn in river headwaters.
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They are also especially vulnerable. Criminals target the fish using a range of illegal methods, often taking them for human consumption or killing them to process their eggs as illegal bait.
Police Scotland, Fisheries Management Scotland and district salmon fishery board water bailiffs have launched Operation Salmo, a week-long enforcement and awareness campaign deploying additional resources across Scotland’s rivers to tackle salmon poaching.
Minister for agriculture, marine and islands Jim Fairlie said: “The Scottish Government takes the issue of Scotland’s declining wild salmon populations very seriously, and we are working with partners to ensure the protection and recovery of this iconic species with our Wild Salmon Strategy Implementation Plan. This includes the damaging impact that poaching can have on local salmon populations.
“The Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 includes provisions to amend the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003 to increase financial penalties for the most serious fish poaching offences and allowing for certain penalties to be applied on a ‘per-fish’ basis. Consideration will be given to the commencement of these provisions in light of any wider arrangements made to align penalties across the border rivers (Tweed and Esk) with the rest of Scotland’s rivers.
“We are pleased to support Operation Salmo, highlighting the importance of collaboration between Police Scotland, District Salmon Fishery Boards and the general public, to report and stop incidences of wildlife crime from occurring. The most recent Wildlife Crime report 2024 shows that fish poaching remains the most commonly reported wildlife crime, and we encourage anyone who witnesses illegal wildlife crime to report it.”
Brian Davidson, director of operations, Fisheries Management Scotland said: “We are delighted to be working again with Police Scotland to raise awareness of the impact of fish poaching. Scotland’s Atlantic salmon are at crisis point, and their classification as endangered underlines the gravity of the situation.
“Fish poaching is a serious wildlife crime. Thanks to the dedicated work of Scotland’s water bailiffs, it has one of the highest conviction rates among wildlife crimes, yet the historic low penalties do not reflect the environmental harm caused. We therefore welcome changes introduced through the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 which will significantly increase penalties for the most serious fish offences, including the use of poisons or noxious substances, habitat destruction, killing salmon for their eggs and organised poaching.
“Returning adult salmon have already overcome many challenges at sea. The loss of any of these precious wild fish to illegal activity is tragic and further reduces the prospects of sustaining Scotland’s salmon populations for future generations.”
Detective Sergeant David Lynn, national wildlife crime coordinator at Police Scotland said: “We are committed to protecting Scotland's waterways and during this operation officers will be working closely in partnership with Fisheries Management Scotland, District Salmon Fishery Boards, and river bailiffs.
“Fish poaching is not a victimless crime; it is a serious wildlife offence that directly threatens our natural heritage at a time when wild salmon populations are already facing unprecedented ecological pressures.
“Anyone who sees anything suspicious around our rivers, lochs, reservoirs or coastline or has information about poaching should contact us on 101, or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”