The Scottish Government

Freshwater Fisheries Forum 1 - Rapporteur's Report

1. Allan Wilson

Partnership Approach

• Commitments to:

- Support Research

- Promote Access For Anglers

- Encourage Best Management Practice

- Protect Wild Stocks

• Vision:

- Healthy Fisheries

- Fisheries Cover All Scotland & All Species

- Fisheries Contribution To Scottish Economy

• New Study:

"What Will The Freshwater Fisheries Sector Look Like In 10 Years Time?"

• Fisheries Bill:

- Evidence-Based Approach

- For The Benefit Of All Species And All Anglers

- Improved Access

BUT

- Management And Sustainability

• Funding

- Some Public Money

- Some Contribution From Those Who Benefit

2. Andrew Wallace

• Current Structures:

- District Salmon Boards

- Fisheries Trusts

- SFCC

• Initiatives:

- Angling For Change

- Fisheries Management Working Group

- Forum

- Angling Tourism Development Group

- "RAFTS"

- Media and Communications

- Training

• Principles For The Future:

- Sustainability

- Protect & Grow Economic Side Of Fisheries

- Management Of All Species

- Catchment-Based Approach

- Based On Information And Good Science

- Training/Skills/Involvement

- Voluntary Approach Underpinned By Legislation

- Build On Existing Strengths

Recognise Scotland's Unique Fisheries

3. Alan Radford

Aims of the Survey

• Underlying Questions

NOT just What Anglers Spend, But What Would be the Effect in "X" Area if "Y" Type of Fishing Was Not Available

• Spend:

- Direct

- Indirect

- Induced

• Study Was On Economic Impact
• Economic Value (The Monetary Value of the Welfare Derived From Fisheries) May Be Much Higher

- Issue Regarding Investment of Additional Resources is Marginal Value

- Relationship May Not Be Linear

- Treat Averages With Caution

4. Cameron Durie

• EA - England and Wales
• River Boards ?River Authorities ?Water Authorities ?National Rivers Authority ?Environment Agency.

- Wide-Ranging Environmental Regulation Role

- Fisheries Seen Within Context of Broader Environment

- Raises >50% of Funds Through Rod Licences

- Broad Statutory Duty to Maintain & Improve Fisheries

• Narrower Duties:

- Fish Conservation

- Enhance Contribution of Fisheries to Economy

- Enhance Social Value of Fisheries

• Informed by Statutory Advisory Committees
• Unified Legal & Management Regime Covering Very Disparate Set of Fisheries
• Increasing Recognition That Land Use is a Major Determinant of Fisheries Quality

5. John O'Connor

• Central Fisheries Board - Ireland
• Long History of Regulation (Mainly Migratory)
• "Boards of Fishery Conservators"
• Inland Fisheries Trust (Formed 1951)

- Development Permit

- No Powers

• Central and Regional Fisheries Boards (Formed 1980)

- CFB Provides Policy and Administrative Support

- Minister has "Catch-All Powers"

- Can Take Over Fisheries Where not Properly Managed

OWNERSHIP!

- Major Ambiguities ?Single Biggest Issue

Exchequer Invests €20M

Licences Raise €2M

6. David Dunkley

• Scottish Fisheries Legislation

- Acts Date Back to 1318

- Fish are Wild Animals Until Caught, then Property of Captor

BUT

- Right to Fish is Private Property

- Migratory (Separate, Heritable)

- Freshwater (With Riparian Ownership)

• Public Rights Only in Tidal And Navigable Water
• Management:

- Migratory - DSFBs

- Freshwater - No Equivalent

7. Gordon Brown

• Legislation

- Primary (Bills ? Acts)

- Secondary (Orders & Regulations)

• Possible new bill - Late in 06/07

- Impact of EU/NASCO

- No pre-fixed Position on any Issue

- Management Structures

- Access Arrangements

- Fish Movements

- Use of Live Fish as Bait

- Angling Methods

- Collection of Scientific Data

- Compulsory Slaughter of Wild Stocks

WHAT NEXT?

• STEERING GROUP

• WEBSITE

• FURTHER FORUM MEETINGS

• STATUTORY CONSULTATIONS

- TALK TO US!