The killing of wild salmon by anglers and netters alike will require a licence following a public consultation that will be launched early in the new year.
The killing of wild salmon by anglers and netters alike will require a licence following a public consultation that will be launched early in the new year.
It was one of the recommendations in the report by the Scottish Government??s Wild Fisheries Review under the Chairmanship of Andrew Thin, which was published in October.
This looked at the "complex and emotive area" of how Scotland's wild fisheries are managed, amidst the ongoing dispute between Scotland??s anglers and netters, as the number of salmon returning to Scotland??s rivers continues to decline.
Ministers have now decided to move towards implementation of the licence proposal.
The consultation will seek views on the conservation measure, along with an accompanying carcass tagging scheme to help enforcement. It is hoped that the new system will be in place for the 2016 season.
It is likely to exempt the catch and release already widely employed by an estimated 80% of anglers.
The Environment Minister Aileen McLeod said:
??This forthcoming consultation shows we are committed to meeting our obligations on salmon conservation by ensuring that killing by any method is sustainable. Greater protection and enhancement of our stocks will enable us to maximise the socio-economic benefits that flow from them.??
Hugh Campbell Adamson, Chairman of Salmon & Trout Association (Scotland), said: ??We warmly welcome this bold move by Scottish Government. This announcement signals an acknowledgement and confirmation by government that our wild salmon stocks are under considerable pressure and that they need as much protection as possible from indiscriminate killing. ??
From the other side of the debate, George Pullar of the Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotland was also positive. He said ??We look forward to engaging in the consultation process. It is very important that both rods and nets have a sustainable future and we welcome anything that will help achieve that.??
A spokesman for the Scottish Gamekeepers Association??s Fishing Group said ??The detail of how the scheme will operate and be policed, and the use of the best science available to decide the number of fish which can be caught, will be crucial to successful application. However, the SGA Fishing Group, which numbers ghillies, boatmen, river workers and anglers, agrees with the principle being put forward in the consultation.??
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