Congruence between automatic fish counter data and rod catches of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Scottish rivers

The potential utility of rod catch and automatic fish counter data as measures of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) abundance in Scottish rivers was assessed. The trend (long-term) and residual (short-term) variation in the net annual count for 12 counters were compared with the trend and residual variation in either the annual or spring (February–May) rod catch, as appropriate, for the fisheries district in which the counter is located. Trends were fitted using a cubic smoothing spline and compared using reference bands. In eight of the 12 short-term comparisons, the residuals were significantly correlated. The four incongruent short-term comparisons involved the shortest time-series (≤12 years) or lowest rod catches. In eight of the 12 long-term comparisons, the trends fell within the reference bands in 50% or more of the years. Rod catch and counter data both contain useful information about Atlantic salmon abundance, albeit on different temporal and spatial scales, which should be integrated into assessment schemes.