Figures used for salmon stocks on the Coquet were derived from electric fishing surveys, fish counters and rod catch data, alongside assessments of fish communities used for Water Framework directive purposes and compliance with salmon management targets.

Electric fishing data from five sites indicated that there were around 40 juvenile salmon per 100 sq m on the Coquet in 2011. However, there is wide variability in the results between sites. No significant differences in juvenile salmonid densities were found between the periods 1993-03 and 2004-11.

Rod catch and rod effort (days fished) data have been submitted by anglers over several years and provide some indication of trends in stock levels. In 2010, the most recent year for which data was available at the time of the report, the declared salmon rod catch was 978.

Fish counters on the Coquet have recorded returning adult salmon and sea trout from 1994 to 2007, in order to calculate a minimum estimate of upstream migration. In 2007, 10,176 fish were recorded passing upstream.

The Coquet is split into 23 separate water bodies for Water Framework directive purposes and 78 sites were electric fished in assessing the 'ecological status' of these water bodies. Of the water bodies, 19 were assessed as being at 'good' or better status for fish, including salmon, meaning that these fish stocks were healthy. Of the four water bodies that failed to achieve 'good' status or better, the absence of salmon was one of the reasons for this failure in two cases.

Further data was also available to us on the stocks in the other north east rivers contributing to the fishery and, relating to compliance with requirements under the Habitats directive, on stocks in rivers in eastern Scotland.

In coming to our decision, we took into consideration our obligations to promote the conservation, restoration, enhancement and rational management of salmon stocks in the North Atlantic ocean under the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation convention.

I have recently reviewed the future of Northumberland salmon fisheries as part of new legislation limiting net fishing for salmon and sea trout along the north-east coast.

The north-east coast fishery exploits salmon and sea trout from several rivers, thus making it difficult to protect the weakest river stocks. We have been progressively phasing out fisheries such as these and such a phase out already applies to the drift nets operating on the north-east coast. A phase out will now also apply to the T & J net fishery.

I have instructed the Environment Agency to close the north-east coast drift net fishery in September 2022. Until then currently-licensed netsmen will still be able to fish but no new netsmen will be licensed.

I have also instructed the Environment Agency to review the Net Limitation Order in five years and evaluate the potential for maintaining net fishing for salmon and sea trout in the region, other than with drift nets, if stock levels allow and if it can be demonstrated to be consistent with national policy and international guidance.