Salmon fishing is poised to deliver a £550m bonanza to the Scottish economy over the next five years, an industry conference has heard.

The Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG) was told that an intensive drive to support salmon fishing is paying massive dividends and contributing an increasing amount to rural economies in Scotland.

The conference, which brought together rural experts, tourism officials and representatives of the salmon fishing industry, took place in Edinburgh on April 26.

Angling currently forms a "pivotal part" of the rural economy, employing over 2,800 people and contributing approximately £113m per year, according to keynote speaker Andrew Wallace, director of the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards.

But he also called for more to be done to promote and market other forms of fishing in Scotland.

Andrew Wallace, Association of Salmon Fishery Boards: "I am confident that this industry will grow over the coming years, contributing £550m over the next five years."

Mr Wallace said: "I am confident that this industry will grow over the coming years, contributing £550m over the next five years.

"If Scotland's freshwater fisheries industry did not exist, it would mean approximately £113m per year going elsewhere. It is crucial that we do not allow this to happen.

"It is very clear that if we continue to market salmon and the many other types of superb fishing on offer in Scotland as an affordable and accessible sport enjoyed on world class rivers and lochs, we can develop revenues and jobs across the country."

Philip Riddle, chief executive of VisitScotland, said Scotland was "known as being the historic home of salmon fishing."

He added that Scotland "offers a world class range of angling opportunities for both domestic and international visitors".

"We know that angling is among the most popular activities for visitors to Scotland and our Fish in Scotland brochure and FishScotland website demonstrate to angling visitors that Scotland really is a must visit, must return destination for the sport,” said Mr Riddle

"Angling has a significant impact on the Scottish economy and will play an important role in helping to achieve our joint industry ambition to double tourism revenues by 2015."

Roddy Jackson, deputy chairman of the SEBG, believed Scotland still had "considerable opportunities" to develop wild trout fishing, coarse and sea fishing.

"The potential exists to develop employment opportunities and to grow the freshwater fisheries economy, underpinned by a principle of environmentally sustainable management," he added.

The article Salmon could net £550m for Scottish economy originally appeared on 999 Today