Minutes of the 1st Meeting of the Freshwater Fisheries
Forum Steering Group held at Pentland House, Edinburgh, on
Friday 7th May 2004.
In attendance:
David Dunkley - SEERAD (Chairman)
Dr Colin Bull - representing east coast fisheries
trusts
Ross Gardiner - Fisheries Research Services
George Holdsworth - Association of Scottish Stillwater
Fisheries
David Howell - Scottish Natural Heritage
Colin Innes - Salmon and Trout Association
(Scotland)
Derek Keith - Scottish Campaign for Public Angling
Professor Peter Maitland - Fish Conservation Centre
Willie Miller - Consultative Committee on Protection
Orders
Major General Seymour Monro - Atlantic Salmon Trust
Ronny Picken - Scottish Anglers National Association
Robert Ritchie - Salmon Net Fishing Association of
Scotland
Callum Sinclair - Scottish Environment Protection
Agency
Dr Alastair Stephen - Institute of Fisheries
Management
Andrew Wallace - Association of Salmon Fishery
Boards
Ron Woods - Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling
Jane Wright - Association of West Coast Fisheries
Trusts
Gordon Brown - SEERAD
Graeme Waugh - SEERAD
Shauna Cranney - SEERAD}
Richard Gustar - SEERAD} (Secretariat)
Welcome and Introductions
1. The meeting convened at 10:00. The Chairman
welcomed everyone to the meeting, and introductions were
made. He outlined what he hoped to achieve from the day,
mentioning the Freshwater Fisheries Forum and how the
Scottish Executive would like to see it used in the run up
to the provisionally listed Fisheries Bill.
Apologies
2. There were no apologies, with all
organisations being represented.
Purpose of the Freshwater Fisheries Forum
and Steering Group
3. The Chairman described the constitution of
each group, and asked whether this Group could be called
the Forum, with the other being a conference overseen by
the Forum. Dr Stephen explained that the Fisheries
Management Working Group had been set-up to bring together
the plethora of existing organisations/groups, and that the
Forum had developed from this. He agreed it was sensible
that the Forum should be used by the Executive with the
Bill in mind, but thereafter the Forum would remain in
existence. Mr Wallace added that there should be a Forum
and a second group, i.e. the Steering Group, to assist the
Executive in the legislative process.
4. The Chairman said that invitees to the open
event (Forum) on 23 June will be sent copies of all
paperwork produced by this Group, but any responses coming
back should be filtered through the relevant representative
on the Group. Mrs Wright suggested that the Group should
be flexible enough to allow the attendance of individuals
not represented on it where this was considered necessary.
The Chairman agreed to this.
5. Some discussion on 'Angling for Change' (AfC)
followed. Mr Woods said one of the weaknesses of AfC was
that there was no Executive involvement and no mechanism
for communicating outcomes to the wider angling public; he
stressed the importance of the latter. The Chairman
expressed his desire that this chance to make a robust
piece of fisheries legislation was taken as there may not
be a better opportunity in the foreseeable future.
Following some further discussion it was agreed that
firstly there would be an open event - called the Forum -
with the first on 23 June, and secondly, that a group (this
Group) - called the Steering Group - would aid the
Executive in the legislative process.
6. The Group discussed what its main tasks were,
both during the Forum and following it. Mr Miller asked
whether invitations to the Forum had been distributed to
anglers who were not members of clubs. Mr Waugh replied
that SEERAD had deliberated on this, but without knowing
who these people were, it was impossible to contact them.
It was hoped that anglers would spread the word among
themselves. Mr Woods suggested ways of advertising the
Forum, e.g. in fishing tackle shops. Mr Gardiner asked who
on the Group was representing grayling interests. The
Chairman said that to have every area of freshwater fishing
and fisheries represented would result in an unwieldy
group. It was thought that the current group of
representatives encompassed all interests in one way or
another. Major General Monro suggested that the Steering
Group restrict its discussions to Bill issues. The
Chairman said that following the Forum on 23 June, this ad
hoc group would be concerned with aiding the Executive in
formulating the policy base for the forthcoming Bill.
Agenda for the Forum (23 June)
7. The Chairman offered his apologies for not
having specified Sarah Bayley's attendance at today's
meeting - this was because the Association of West Coast
Fisheries Trusts was represented by another individual.
However, the Chairman said that he recognised Ms Bayley had
done a lot of background work. In response Jane Wright
asked whether Sarah's as well as Brian Davidson's offer of
help with the administrative arrangements for the Forum was
still needed. The Chairman said that SEERAD was providing
the Chair and Secretariat for the Forum and Steering
Group.
Minister's speech and Introductory Presentation
8. The Chairman said that the starting point for
the Forum on 23 June was Partnership Agreement No. 345
(copies were circulated):
"Continue to promote access for anglers to watercourses
and the removal of prohibitive restrictions; promote the
local management of water courses and a proper balance
between exploitation and conservation of freshwater
species; and seek enhanced access whenever public
investment improves fisheries."
Dr Stephen suggested that something in the way of
background - how we have got to where we are today - would
be a useful way of opening the Forum. Mr Innes said that
Partnership Agreement No. 345 should not be considered in
isolation - there are read across implications to other
agreements, such as on the rural economy.
9. Mr Waugh said that the Minister would be
opening the Forum, but agreed with Dr Stephen on the need
for a scene-setting slot. Mr Wallace said it would also be
helpful to explain what was currently going on in the
angling world. The Chairman indicated that he was content
for someone to give a background presentation, but the
Minister would be opening the Forum with his keynote
speech, which would include high level topics such as PA
345 and the Economic Report. Mr Waugh asked if there were
any volunteers to do the background presentation. Mr
Wallace indicated that he would be happy to. There was
further discussion on the format for a background
presentation.
Action: Introductory presentation on
past/present/future of freshwater fisheries, wider
angling scene, fishing law, and operation of fisheries
in other countries - to be circulated to Group members
for comment.
Economic Report - Next Steps
10. Mr Waugh said it was envisaged that a
representative from each fisheries sector would give a
presentation on the implications of the Report. Mr
Holdsworth suggested that a single presentation might be
better at getting the message across. Mr Keith said that
£113m was not as much as angling could and perhaps should
be worth to the Scottish economy. Mrs Wright said it was
however important to have a starting point, and that the
importance of sustainable development should not be
forgotten - the Trusts can advise on this. Professor
Maitland raised a note of caution, that because the Report
centred on angling and not fish, there is no idea of the
value of particular species, i.e. we do not know the
pressures on any individual species. The Chairman
acknowledged these points, recognising the need to promote
sustainable fisheries.
Action: Presentation on the Economic
Report.
Afternoon Session Looking at Fisheries Bill Issues
11. The format of the agenda was discussed. Dr
Stephen said that the Executive should outline the Forum's
purpose and say what was happening after 23 June. Mr
Wallace said he understood it had been agreed that there
would be two presentations following the Minister's speech,
one on the wider angling scene and the other on the
Economic Report, the Forum Chairman would then introduce
the remainder of the day. The Chairman said that the Forum
would allow individuals to come up with suggestions, which
it was then for the Steering Group to consider. There
followed discussion on how the views of anglers could be
captured on the day. Mr Woods suggested two options:
either leave things open and unstructured, or provide some
structure at the expense of missing some of the view points
that might be expressed.
12. The venue was also discussed, with Mr Waugh
saying that Stirling University was being considered. The
Chairman said that the Forum would assimilate view
points/issues, its purpose is not, at least at this stage,
to provide answers - that was for the Group. There
followed some discussion on the issues. It was agreed that
the Forum would run for a single day. Dr Stephen suggested
that the Executive begin by stating the outcomes of
previous consultations and then opening it up for further
discussion. Professor Maitland suggested asking the
audience to prioritise the issues, adding any others. Mr
Innes said that fisheries funding was very important, as
was access, and that the Group would be required to
consider a wide range of opinions. The Chairman said that
the overall aim of the exercise was to have workable
legislation that achieved all of the objectives which it
set out to deliver; and that the Group needs to come up
with the objectives. It was suggested that sustainable
fishing might be defined and that this be mentioned in the
first presentation. Dr Bull asked whether it was worth
mentioning how other countries operated their fisheries.
Mr Sinclair said it was necessary to think about how the
day should be managed, including how to collect the views
of those not able to express them on the day. Mr Keith
said that there was a need to address the image of angling,
to which the Chairman replied that this could feature in
the Minister's speech.
13. In response to a question about the processes
involved in leading up to the production of the
legislation, Mr Brown explained that it began with
consultation. He added that it would need to be explained
at the Forum that there were certain hurdles which the
Executive must overcome, such as the production of an
issues paper, formal written consultation, etc - both of
which should be discussed and agreed by this Group. He
said there was lots of scope to be creative.
14. The Group further discussed how to capture
views, for example an open forum, or making use of
workshops. It was felt that small groups would only be
acceptable if everyone was able to contribute to all of the
issues. Major General Monro indicated preference for an
open forum. Mr Sinclair suggested that the only way to
properly gather views was to split into smaller groups.
The Chairman said that he did not want to do on the day
what this Group should be doing following the Forum. Mr
Woods said that it was therefore necessary to ask the right
questions. Mr Brown said that the day should not be made
too heavy, nor do things want to be rushed - smaller groups
might do this, and there will be other opportunities at
subsequent fora. He suggesting keeping the format loose.
The Group was in agreement with this suggestion.
15. Mr Sinclair said that it seemed to him that
the day split easily into two parts, to which there was
general agreement. Mr Woods thought it may to helpful to
include an outline of fishing law in the presentations. Mr
Miller said the agenda for the Forum needed to make it
clear that there is a slot for discussing ideas for future
legislation. Major General Monro asked who had been
invited to the Forum. Mr Waugh replied that an e-mail a
list of invitees as well as a copy of the letter sent out
to them, would be sent to all on the Group. He also said
that SEERAD would put together a draft agenda based on
today's discussions and circulate for comment.
Action: Send Steering Group members list of invitees to the Forum and copy of
letter.
Circulate draft agenda for the Forum, for
comment.
AOB
16. Mr Wallace asked what might be on the agenda
for the next meeting, and suggested that different issues
were discussed at different meetings. The Chairman said
that the first meeting after the Forum would be spent
consolidating the list of issues identified.
17. Mr Howell asked if the Group could see the
summary of responses to the Green Paper - 'Scotland's
freshwater fish and fisheries: Securing their future' and
also an update on other developments that may be relevant
to the work of the Group.
Action: Send Steering Group members summary of responses to the Green Paper and
provide an update on other developments relevant to the
work of the Group.
18. Dr Stephen asked whether the Bill was just for
freshwater fisheries, to which Mr Brown replied that it
would also incorporate inshore fisheries and aquaculture.
Major General Monro asked whether, since wild fish
interests were present in all three areas of the Bill, was
there going to be some method for co-ordinating the three
Group's discussions and proposals. Mr Brown made it clear
that the Executive is using other fora to deal with these
Bill topics.
Date and Place of Next Meeting
13 July, with the location tba.
The meeting was brought to a close at 13:00 and the
Chairman thanked everyone for attending.
SEERAD - August 2004