New film promotes catch and release best practice

Fisheries Management Scotland has released a film highlighting how simple changes to angling practices can improve salmon survival rates.

Catch and Release – Small Changes, Big Impact features expert contributions from fisheries managers, university researchers, angling representatives and experienced practitioners from across Scotland’s salmon rivers.

Professor Neil Metcalfe from the University of Glasgow emphasises the video’s critical message: “The single biggest impact is to expose the fish to air even for a short period of time.”

Key recommendations include avoiding fishing when water temperatures exceed 20°C, using barbless hooks and soft mesh nets, and preparing all release equipment beforehand.

Steven Mackenzie, fishery manager at Lower Oykel Fishings, demonstrates hands-off techniques: “When you catch a fish, if you let it go and you don’t touch it, you’re really securing that fish’s passage right through to spawning.”

The film also addresses better photography, encouraging anglers to move away from traditional ‘gripping and grin’ shots towards water-level documentation that doesn’t compromise fish welfare.

Contributors demonstrate keeping fish submerged during the release process, allowing recovery in nets, and eliminating unnecessary handling. The video also covers what to do when fish are badly hooked and techniques for estimating weight.

A part of Scotland’s Wild Salmon Strategy, the video showcases how the angling community continues leading conservation efforts while contributing over £79 million annually to Scotland’s economy.

You can watch Catch and Release – Small Changes, Big Impact below or on Fishery Management Scotland’s YouTube channel.

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