Research will be carried out to help resolve the bitter row between anglers and fish-farmers.

For nearly 60 years Government scientists have collected data on salmon and sea trout caught round the Scottish coast, but not how many rods catch them.

However, that information will now be gathered, a move welcomed by fish- farmers who are blamed for the decline of wild fishing on the west coast. They hope the new research will counter the anti fish-farm arguments.

Anglers are also happy, but warn the information might not be easy to gather.

A Scottish Government spokesman confirmed the Marine Scotland Science (MSS) had collected catch information from different fisheries since 1952.

He added: “Much of our interpretation of salmon and sea trout stocks is based on this data. However, there is no equivalent record of rod fishing effort.”

Dr Martin Jaffa, a fish-farming consultant, said: “Anglers’ associations say figures showing the total rod catch for salmon in 2010 -- which was the highest since records began -- can be explained by the health of east-coast rivers.

“But nobody knows how many rods were involved at different locations.”

Dr Jaffa added there also positive reports from rivers in the west, such as the River Lochy which reported a good August. He said: “The quality of grilse there was described as excellent with an average weight of 5lbs 8oz and they were there in reasonable numbers.

“Nobody has explained the drop in sea trout figures on the east coast. It can’t be explained by fish-farms, because there aren’t any.

“There have been reports wild Atlantic salmon are dying at sea in alarming numbers and scientists are trying to find out why.”

George Holdsworth, Scottish policy officer for the Salmon and Trout Association, said: “Our charity would support any sensible research that gives a fuller understanding of wild fisheries but it might be difficult to accurately collect these figures.”

In 2010 the total rod catch for salmon and grilse was the highest on record, with 110,496 caught, an increase of 31% on the previous five-year average.

There were 27,704 sea trout caught in 2010, 34% higher than the previous five-year average.