Anglers are not the only recreational users of
Scotland's water resources. The Land Reform Act
2003 establishes a right of access to the countryside for
informal recreation and passage. However, this right does
not extend to a right to fish.
In recent years, demand has increased for angling
opportunities. Satisfying this demand must be within the
context of maintaining sustainable fisheries.
While there may be
some interest in making salmon fishing more widely
available, the fact that salmon stocks are currently under
considerable pressure means that now is not the time to
increase exploitation. The wider adoption of practices
such as catch and release may provide more fishing
opportunities without increasing the numbers of fish killed
(guidance on the practice of catch and release is available
in notes produced by the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation
Organisation and the Atlantic Salmon Trust). Broadening
angling opportunities by developing more put-and-take and
coarse fisheries may also help to relieve pressure on some
of the wild fisheries.
Access to angling can be increased not only by opening
up new fisheries, but also by ensuring that existing
angling opportunities are brought to the attention of the
public. In many areas not all of the available permits are
taken up, suggesting that existing fishing opportunities
are not being fully utilised. However, many anglers say it
is difficult to know how and where permits may be
obtained. Access to information about fishing
opportunities is therefore paramount. The internet can be
a valuable source of information on the availability of
fishing - the
VisitScotland and
sportscotland
Websites both hold such information.
The revenue generated from fishing provides an important
source of income. Many hotels, guest houses and other
businesses throughout Scotland rely heavily on visiting
anglers for much of their income. Anglers provide a source
of tourist income in the early and late months of the
year. Fishing tackle shops, ghillies, water bailiffs and
numerous other people depend directly or indirectly on
angling. Many people from outside Scotland, and indeed
outside the UK, visit Scotland to fish for salmon.
The number of coarse anglers is estimated to be
increasing at 2-4% each year, with the Scottish Federation
of Coarse Anglers quoting a figure of 20,000 people fishing
for coarse fish in 2000. The Scottish Tourist Board
estimated, in 2000, that a further 15,000 coarse anglers
may visit Scotland each year.