Scotland has confirmed a fresh round of protections for wild Atlantic salmon. The Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/390) were made on 4 December 2025, laid before the Scottish Parliament on 8 December, and will take effect on 1 April 2026. The instrument replaces Schedule 2 of the 2016 regulations, updating the list of inland waters where any salmon caught must be returned immediately. The Regulations are signed by Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon.

The 2016 framework already prohibits keeping salmon caught in coastal waters; the refreshed Schedule 2 clarifies and extends where that release‑only rule applies in inland waters, using precise river‑mouth and island boundaries. Breaching the prohibition remains an offence under the 2003 Act, punishable on summary conviction by a fine up to level 4 on the standard scale, with exemptions for licensed scientific work and fish‑farm operations.

What changes on the map is detail as well as reach. The updated Schedule lists dozens of catchments, for example waters draining to the Sound of Mull and Loch Linnhe, parts of the Cromarty and Moray Firths, and stretches around Skye, Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides. Ministers also refine several entries (including paragraphs 7, 21, 22, 34, 37, 61 and 76) to tidy outflow limits and island coverage. District Salmon Fishery Boards should now review permits and signage ahead of the 2026 season.

The legal update tracks the evidence. Official statistics show the total reported rod catch fell to a record low of 32,477 in 2023, before a partial rebound to 46,978 in 2024. Release rates rose to a record 98% in 2024, underlining how anglers are already part of the solution. Even with the uptick, proposed conservation gradings for 2026 still place most assessment groups in poor status (115 poor, 26 moderate, 32 good).

Long‑term trends explain why salmon need breathing space. Government reporting shows a steady decline in returning adults since the 1970s, and the IUCN now lists wild Atlantic salmon in Great Britain as Endangered. Evidence to the Scottish Parliament highlights that on parts of the east coast fewer than 2% of smolts that reach the sea return to breed-a stark survival rate that leaves little margin for additional pressure in rivers.

For anglers, the practical message is simple: from April 2026, assume release‑only rules apply in waters listed in the new Schedule and continue best practice everywhere. Fisheries Management Scotland’s guidance-Keep it Cool, Keep Hands Off, Keep It Under, Keep It Clean-means fishing during cooler periods, avoiding unnecessary handling, keeping fish submerged, using barbless single hooks and soft knotless nets, and preparing the release before unhooking. Accurate catch recording remains essential for stock assessments.

Community action can lock in the gains. River boards and trusts can pair the rule change with riparian tree planting for shade, barrier removal, better flow management and tight biosecurity. Fisheries Management Scotland’s temperature guidance sets practical thresholds and highlights how thermal discharges and hydro‑modification can push rivers beyond safe limits for salmon and invertebrates. These fixes improve conditions for salmon and the wider river food web.

Before fishing in 2026, check three things: whether your beat sits inside the updated Schedule 2 coverage; your river’s conservation grading for the season; and any local permit rules-many owners still require release even on better‑status rivers. The Scottish Government reviews conservation status annually and adjusts regulations as new data come in. Penalties for wrongful retention remain in place, so when in doubt, release.