Publication Abstract

Sea trout fisheries management: should we follow the salmon?

A.M. Walker*, M.G. Pawson* and E.C.E. Potter*

The aim of this paper is to assess the application of Atlantic salmon fisheries management tools to the management of sea trout fisheries. The objective of sea trout fisheries management should be to ensure sufficient numbers and an appropriate stock structure of sea trout to meet the needs of associated sustainable fisheries and, implicitly, the continuation of the stocks. Conservation measures adopted for salmon fisheries are reviewed, focussing in particular on methods to control exploitation and allocate catches between commercial and recreational fisheries interests, some of which are already used in sea trout fisheries management, and to improve recruitment to the fishery. The scientific basis of these measures (if any) and for the setting of targets (eg biological reference points) that the measures should be intended to achieve is reviewed. The practicability of such measures and targets for sea trout fisheries management is discussed in view of the complex array of life strategies demonstrated by Salmo trutta.

Reference:

A.M. Walker*, M.G. Pawson* and E.C.E. Potter* (2003) Sea trout fisheries management: should we follow the salmon? Sea Trout Symposium, 6th - 8th July 2004, Cardiff, Wales, UK