Minutes for the 12th meeting of the Freshwater Fisheries Forum Steering Group held in Conference Room 004, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh on 14th August 2006 at 10.30 am
In attendance:
Gordon Brown - SEERAD (Chairman)
David Dunkley - SEERAD
Manson Wright - SEERAD
Richard Slaski- SEERAD
Alistair Prior - SEERAD - part meeting
Dave Wyman - SEERAD - part meeting
Mabel McDowall - (Secretariat)
Andrew Wallace - Association of Salmon Fishery Boards
Brian Davidson - Association of Salmon Fishery Boards
Jonathan Swift - Association of Scottish Stillwater Fisheries
Sarah Bayley - Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland
Neil McKerrow - Atlantic Salmon Trust
David Bassett - British Trout Association
Willie Miller - Consultative Committee on Protection Orders
Peter Maitland - Fish Conservation Centre
John Armstrong - Fisheries Research Services
Alastair Stephen - Institute of Fisheries Management
Craig Campbell - NFU Scotland
Willie Shearer - Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotland
Ronnie Picken - Scottish Anglers National Association
Ron Woods - Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling
Colin Bean - Scottish Natural Heritage
Miranda Lindsay - Scottish Rural Property and Business Association
1. Introduction
The Chairman welcomed the Steering Group (SG) members and introduced Sarah Bayley who was deputising for Roger Brook from RAFTS, Neil McKerrow who was deputising for Seymour Monro from the Atlantic Salmon Trust and Colin Bean who will be representing Scottish Natural Heritage while Sarah Hutcheon is on maternity leave.
He stated that the focus of the meetings had now moved away from the Bill and the SG should now turn its attentions to the Framework Plans for the sector as well as the Regulation of Fish Movements. He hoped that the group would have outline plans ready for discussion at the Freshwater Fisheries forum in December.
He advised that he had invited the Head of Marine Group, to speak at the Forum and that the invitation had been accepted.
2. Apologies:
Roger Brook - RAFTS, Seymour Monro - Atlantic Salmon Trust, Bob Ritchie - Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotland, Hugh Campbell Adamson - Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, Callum Sinclair - Scottish Environment Protection Agency, George Holdsworth - Salmon and Trout Association, Derek Keith - Scottish Campaign for Public Angling, Stuart Baxter - SEERAD.
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Minutes had been agreed electronically and posted on the web site.
4. Matters Arising
4.1 See item 3
4.2 Saleof Gill Nets and Protection Orders
The Bill team had been asked at a previous meeting to investigate the banning of the possession or sale of monofilament gill nets. The Bill Team reported back to the group indicating that this issue raised more questions than answers. The group were invited to discuss the effectiveness of a ban on the possession and sale of gill nets. After some discussion the group noted that the Executive would not be pushing forward with any proposals on Gill Nets.
The Executive reassured the group that the proposals in the Bill gave the Scottish Ministers considerable influence over the extent and application of Protection Orders, including the need to involve local communities in the management of the PO. There was therefore no need to pursue this issue any further
4.3 Future Meetings
The chairman advised that he wanted to stick with the agreed dates. The next SG meeting on 27/9 will be preceded by the Angling Tourism Development Group and members who are not attending that meeting should turn up at noon for the SG meeting.
5. Updates
5.1 Gs and the Fish Health Directive
Negotiations are now complete and will go to the Council on 18/9. Unfortunately Gs is not specifically mentioned on the face or in the annex of the directive. However, the Commission has confirmed support for the UK position and the existing trade safeguards will be extended. It was felt that the best possible deal has been obtained.
There was a general desire by SG members for something to be included in the Bill that would make it easier to deal with North American Signal Crayfish, including a right of access to land for the purposes of killing crayfish. It is therefore entirely possible that MSPs could be minded either at Stage 1 to recommend that measures to tackle Crayfish are included in the Bill or to introduce amendments at Stage 2.
Arthur Griffith, Chair of the Gs Task Force has been re-employed and one of his main tasks will be to test out the contingency plan. Members of the Working Group have been asked to provide suggestions on what they would like to be tested when the 'dry run' takes place later in the year. The plan will require an Environmental Impact Assessment to be completed and arrangements have been made to meet with SEPA & SNH to map out what should be included in the assessment.
Tackling an outbreak of Gs would have implications for a number of sectors i.e. whisky, electricity producers and livestock farming. The Chairman advised that these sectors would be active in the area chosen for the 'dry run'. The area would also contain one or more Natura sites.
A number of Fishery Boards are in the process of setting policies for next year it was intimated that it would be useful to have a copy of the task force report. SEERAD will be able to provide copies, if required, but it should be noted that the report is a draft only.
Action - SEERAD to be contacted if copies required.
5.2 Electro-fishing/Netting Licences
It was put to the SG that when licences are issued , there should be a new recommendation requesting the disinfection of electro-fishing and netting equipment before moving it between waters/catchments as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of Gs. The group agreed that this was a good idea and should be taken forward. It was suggested that appropriate Gs fliers could be distributed when licences are issued.
FRS to be consulted about methods of disinfection and it was suggested that these could be built into SFCC protocols.
Action - SEERAD to speak to FRS about disinfection methods and obtaining fliers. SEERAD to look at wording of the recommendation.
6. Framework Plan
6.1 Initial Thoughts
The chairman advised that he wanted this to be a Steering Group Framework Plan with maximum buy-in from members.
He introduced Richard Slaski (RS) who will be taking the project forward. Initial thoughts based on discussions that had taken place with the majority of stakeholders were presented to the Group. Meetings , with the remaining stakeholders, have still to take place and, once this has happened, the presentation will be updated and circulated to SG members.
The general feeling of the group was that the process is going well and was a good step in the right direction with a clear way forward.
The Chairman advised that while it was recognised that it would be essential to consult with all water user, he felt that the fisheries side of the plan should be considered first.
The implications of the Water Framework Directive would also have to be taken into account and the Group were advised that both SEPA and the Scottish Executive Water Framework Directive Team would be consulted..
A point was raised about the possibility of competing interests from the different sectors involved in fisheries and the fact that one sector might view another sector as a risk to its business proposition. It was also recognised that there would be a considerable challenge integrating public and local business interests.
Action - Meetings to be held with remaining stakeholders, presentation to be finalised and passed to the secretary for distribution. - Update 7/9 - all meeting have been held and revised presentation circulated. Item cleared.
6.2 Structure and Process
The Chairman proposed that as we go through the process, a lot of the work could be dealt with within the SG. When particular issues arose, it was suggested that rather than discussing these issues at a full SG meeting, 2 or 3 people could work on these to ensure that they were dealt with more quickly, with electronic discussions with others as required. Depending on the issue, it would be possible to involve the wider community with ad hoc co-options as necessary.
Framework plans would be the first step. They would not necessarily provide us with all the exact details, but would provide a comprehensive structure which can be drawn on as we move forward towards these details. The framework will establish the sector more firmly on the map and will aid in communication about the sector.
Links to other countries' framework plans had been sent to SG members for information, and it was agreed that it would be useful to make the most of these plans when producing the framework for our own plan.
6.3 Vision
Ideas were put forward for the vision and beyond. A general discussion took place and members settled on the following draft statement.
Scotland will have sustainably managed freshwater fish and fisheries resources that provide significant economic and social benefits for its people.
SG members were asked to reflect on this, and send any comments to RS and the rest of the SG for debate.
Action - Members to pass comments to RS and the rest of the SG
6.4 Guiding Principles
Two different options were put forward for discussion. The first one had been taken from the Forestry Strategic Framework and contained paragraphs on Sustainability, Integration, Positive Value, Community Support and Diversity and Local Distinctiveness.
The second was taken from the Aquaculture Strategic Framework and included Economic, Environmental, Social and Stewardship Principles, with Stewardship being the underpinning principle that would cover all three main areas.
Members favoured the second option and, after discussion, it was agreed that the best way forward was to form three sub-groups to work with RS and discuss each of the principles. Ideas would then be brought back to the SG so that all members have a chance to comment at the next full meeting.
The Chairman advised that the Scottish Executive had its own sustainable framework and that the new plan should complement this existing framework.
Volunteers to participate in the groups are as follows:
Environmental Group - Alastair Stephen, John Armstrong, Colin Bean, Sarah Bayley, Callum Sinclair, Peter Maitland.
Economic Group - Brian Davidson, Ronnie Picken, Craig Campbell, George Holdsworth, Jonathan Swift, Miranda Lindsay.
Social Group - Ron Woods, Willie Miller, Andrew Wallace, Craig Campbell, David Bassett.
Action - Sub Group members to be contacted to arrange suitable dates. - Update 13/9 meetings have taken place. Item cleared.
6.5 Action Plan
The work being carried out by the Group will set the context of the plan. Some of the issues had already been highlighted in the presentation made by the Chairman at the last meeting (slide headed up 'How does it all fit together).
The Chairman indicated that both the SG and the process were starting further down the line than the Aquaculture plan, and that the freshwater plan should detail simpler actions (quick wins) and leave the more difficult actions till later.
The point was raised that the group should remember that the plan will have to look wider than just rural connections.
7. Regulating the Movement of Fish into Inland Waters
Paper (SFFF SG 12_2) was, which had already been circulated, was presented to the Group.
Action - SG members were asked to follow up any points raised at the meeting by e-mail, to the Secretary and other SG members, ASAP so that they can be progressed before the next meeting on 27/9.
8. A.O.B.
8.1 Predation
Representations have been received from fisheries and angling organisations regarding the management of predation.
The Chairman proposed that time should be set aside at the November meeting to discuss the issue. Advisers are to be invited to explain to SG members what their role is in the process.
Action - SEERAD to invite advisers to the meeting on 14/11.
8.2 Management of Brown Trout Stocks
The question was raised that given that New Management Structures will cover all species, in the meantime, where there is a lack of distinction between brown and sea trout, should the DSFB's be considering the management of brown trout?
It was pointed out that since sea trout and brown trout are one and the same species, and as there are several different morphs of brown trout that look like sea trout, but have never been to sea that the situation is becoming more and more complicated. It was also pointed out that the problem should disappear when the new Management Structures are in place.
8.3 Discussion Forum
The Discussion Forum was originally set up in the hope that it would provide a useful means for members of the public to communicate with one another through the exchange of information and views on issues relating to freshwater fisheries. In previous years, good use was made of the facility. However, in recent months, very few items have been posted on the site.
It was suggested that members should be encouraged to use this facility to provide comments on current issues, especially the new Management Structures.
Action - SG members to encourage members to use of the discussion forum, especially in relation to the framework plans. Item cleared.
8.4 Freshwater Fisheries Forum
In his closing remarks, the Chairman advised that he would like to give publicity to the developing Framework Plan and asked that a letter goes out to all Forum contacts shortly.
Action - SEERAD to write to all Forum contacts. Update 13/9 - not actioned as Forum to be postponed. Item cleared.
Steering Group - 27th September 2006 in Conference Room 2 in the new SASA complex at Gogar, Edinburgh
14th November 2006 in Conference Room 004, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh