Scottish Government: ‘Wild salmon conservation – Scotland

Following extensive consultation Environment Minister Aileen McLeod has confirmed a number of changes to regulate the killing of wild salmon in Scotland.

The measures will come into force on April 1.

Key aspects are:

• Killing outwith estuary limits will be prohibited for three years due to the mixed stock nature of the fishery and limited data on the composition of the catch

• The killing of Atlantic salmon in inland waters will be managed on an annual basis by categorising fishery districts by their conservation status

• Requirement for a Conservation Plan irrespective of the conservation status

Dr McLeod said:

“Our salmon is a valuable and important asset which we must protect and balance conserving stocks with the interests of those who fish for salmon.It is absolutely right that we take action now to protect our salmon stocks for the future. The changes have been subject to extensive consultation and we have listened and made some changes to the district classifications as a result of all the feedback we have received. I am confident we now have the right package of measures, including prohibitions on killing out-with estuary limits, inland waters being managed by conservation status and mandatory conservation plans, to ensure wild salmon have a sustainable future in our waters.”

To read more go to:

http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Wild-salmon-conservation-216d.aspx