The Scottish Government

SFFF SG 6-4b: Comments Posted on the Discussion Forum for Annual/Weekly Close Times

We received 11 responses to the following paragraph posted on the 'Discussion Forum' on annual/weekly close times:

'Annual and weekly close times exist for salmon and sea trout. There is also a annual close time for brown trout. It has been suggested that allowing Sunday fishing for salmon would help increase access. Do you have any views on this? Also, do you think that other species require the protection of a close season?

In summary, out of the 11 responses received, 8 were in favour of abolishing the Sunday close time and 2 were in favour of keeping it. One respondent thought that a annual close time should be introduced for grayling and one respondent stated that there was no need for a general or even regional closed season for coarse species.

Sunday Close Time

-The fact that the weekly close day happens to be a Sunday is a cultural anachronism, and the specified day could presumably be altered if game angling interests felt it was impeding reasonable access. I wouldn't want to express a view on that. (1)

Keep the Sunday Close time

-The long standing Sunday Break for migratory salmonids contributes to conserving current low stocks and it seems sensible to retain it until stocks recover. Only if this transpires should the practice be reviewed. It should not, however, be allowed to dictate fishing opportunities for other fish. (2)

-I think it is a great idea. It's the only day I don't get grief when fishing for trout, from those that think salmon is the be all and end all of fishing. (10)

Abolish the Sunday Close time

-Not allowing salmon fishing on a Sunday is just stupid. It is the day that most people have the spare time to do what they enjoy, and with anglers it's the same. I think the rule is something to do with the church and not working on a Sunday, I think those days are long gone and allowing salmon fishing on a Sunday would see a huge boost to the sport. (3)

-Sunday salmon fishing would increase access, income and opportunity to remove barriers that have existed for centuries to increase conservation. To balance increased opportunity, amend annual close times at the start and finish of seasons similar to the number of days (4)

-The outright ban on fishing for migratory species on a Sunday should be repealed and weekly close times managed at a local level. It is certainly a disincentive to tourism. (5)

-Think the Executive should abolish the antiquated no fishing for salmon on a Sunday rule. Scotland must be the only country in the world to have this outdated rule. I don't believe that it would lead to a large increase in the number of salmon killed, as most anglers return fish and keep the occasional one for the table. If Sunday fishing for salmon was allowed it would boost the income for small hotels that cater for fishermen as they could run weekend breaks and more fishers would come if they knew that they would get a full weekend of fishing. (6)

-The no fishing for salmon on a Sunday rule is outdated, anglers from far away countries come for angling holidays to be told, sorry no Sunday fishing. (7)

-the "no fishing on Sundays" rule is totally outdated. (8)

-angling in general loses out to the many other interests that compete for the attention, and financial support of people, who can do just about anything else they like on Sundays, except fish. I think it is time for us to really try and make a higher profile for angling in general, lest our great sport be lost for future generations. (9)

-Scotland is so out of date with regard to angling. No Sunday fishing, no bank sticks, no spinning, no worm. Use fly fishing equipment only and that's on my river Tay. Number of days I spend alone, no other angler to be seen, you do not have to go far to see why. (11)

Annual Close Times for Salmon , Sea and Brown Trout

-Annual close seasons for salmon, sea and brown trout give these fish protection when out of condition due to spawning. For the same reason I believe a break should be introduced for other species; The Grayling Society certainly advocates one for grayling on the same lines as that which operates south of the Border i.e. mid March to mid June. (2)

Closed Season for Coarse Fish

-There is absolutely no reason for a general or even regional closed season for coarse species. They spawn at widely varying times of the year, often in areas that are inaccessible to anglers. The level of angling pressure in Scotland - now or in the foreseeable future - is not such as to cause any significant impact on the sustainability of coarse fish stocks with year-round fishing. With the benefit of proper scientific studies we may find that there are some sensitive spawning sites on a few waters where they might be grounds for local restrictions, but that is a matter which would or could be addressed by national legislation.

(1)

Respondents