We have received a report that a non-native Pacific pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha has been caught on the lower River Irvine. This has still to be confirmed but if you are confident you have caught a pink salmon then the fish should be dispatched humanely and retained. If you have killed and retained a pink salmon, please immediately contact the relevant district salmon fishery board and Ayrshire Rivers Trust, who will arrange for further inspection and analysis, if necessary.

It would be very helpful if the following information could be recorded:
• date of capture or sighting,
• location of capture (grid reference if possible) and details of the site,
• method of capture

Please be vigilant for any early or unusual spawning activity – particularly during August and September, when any pink salmon present are likely to be active in spawning areas – shallow, gravelly glides and runs. Any suspected activity should be reported as above.

Fisheries Management Scotland have produced detailed guidance and ID http://fms.scot/…/07/190503-INNS-Statement-Pink-salmon-5.pdf with further information to be found on their website here: http://fms.scot/pink-salmon-in-scotland/