The Scottish Government today announced its plans to undertake a public consultation in 2015 on the killing of wild salmon in Scotland.The consultation will seek views on a conservation measure to ban killing wild salmon except under licence, along with an accompanying carcass tagging scheme to help enforcement. The measure would apply to both anglers and netters and it is hoped that the new system would be in place for the 2016 season.
The introduction of a kill licence was a key recommendation of the independent review of wild fisheries published last month. The review called for this issue to be given immediate consideration given the conservation status of wild salmon.
The new Environment Minister Aileen McLeod said: “The detail of our proposal will be set out in the consultation paper but we intend that carcass tagging for any salmon killed will form part of the package of measures. This will also deliver on the commitment made during the passage of the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013, and I believe it has a key role to play as an enforcement tool”.
Full details of the planned consultation announcement can be found by following this link. http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Stronger-control-on-killing-wild-salmon-12fb.aspx
It is essential that every club, owner and angler alike, with strong views on this proposal respond with their opinions to the Consultation once its underway. If you don’t then any opportunity you have to influence the outcome will be lost. The Trust will of course respond with its comments.
