Current Status of Salmon Stocks
Taken over the time series as a whole, the total annual rod catch shows no clear long term trend suggesting stable overall numbers both entering fresh water and escaping to spawn. The increases in the 2004 to 2007 rod catches compared to previous 5-year averages may be taken as evidence of a recent increase in the numbers of fish entering fresh water and, given the record levels of catch and release reported, escaping to spawn However, the status of stocks on smaller geographical scales (e.g. among or within catchments) may differ both from each other and also from the overall assessments presented above and the long term decline in the total rod catch of spring salmon suggests that the populations associated with this stock component may be particularly weak.

Current Status of Sea Trout Stocks
Since 2003, rod catches of sea trout for Scotland as a whole have been among the lowest in the time series and catches in both east and west coast rod fisheries are currently at historically low levels. Taking the time series as a whole, however, analysis of the catch data suggests contrasting trends on the east and west coasts. In the absence of other evidence to the contrary, the lack of clear trend in the east coast rod catches may be taken to indicate no clear long term trend in the numbers of fish both entering fresh water and escaping to spawn. In contrast, sea trout catches in west coast fisheries have declined markedly over the same period. As with considerations of the status of salmon stocks, it should be borne in mind that the status of stocks on smaller geographical scales (e.g. among or within catchments) may differ both from each other and also from the overall assessments presented above.