Membership
The Members of the Tripartite Working Group are: The Scottish Government, Fisheries Research Services, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Crown Estate, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Highland Council, Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, Rivers and Fisheries Trust Scotland, Scottish Anglers National Association, Atlantic Salmon Trust and Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation.
Background
Between 2002 and 2005 a TWG National Development Officer was in post. In addition, three programme regions - in the Western Isles, North West Mainland (West Sutherland and Wester Ross) and Argyll & Lochaber were established and the projects are managed jointly by industry and wild fisheries representatives.
HIE funding support for the NDO, Regional Development Officers and regional projects finished at the end of 2005. In early 2005, HIE commissioned a Value for Money review of TWG and complementary to this, the Scottish Executive commissioned a Review Group to examine the possibility of filling the funding gap and to prepare a business model and plan for the future.
The TWG Plenary Group commissioned a review, by a small Review Group of the TWG, to conduct a separate assessment of the TWG process and to give advice. The Scottish Government is now the principle sponsors of the TWG to the tune of £320,000 a year until then end of financial year 2007/2008. The Crown Estate and Highlands and Islands Enterprise each contribute £20,000 for the development of the TWG programme on Skye. Regional Development Officers are now in place to cover all four regions of Argyll & Lochaber, Skye, West Sutherland & Wester Ross and the Outer Hebrides.
A project manager has been appointed and seconded to the Crown Estate. In kind contributions also come from the Fisheries Trusts.
Local Area Management Groups (AMGs) are formed to negotiate, agree and deliver the AMAs. In addition to established AMA areas, AMGs also exist for Uists/Barra; and Sound of Jura. Development work is well underway to establish AMGs in South Uist.
A Restoration Support Co-ordinator, funded by the Atlantic Salmon Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage, will produce guidance to freshwater projects across the west coast and Outer Hebrides, where Area Management Agreements are in operation. A review of the restoration Working Group was commissioned to provide the strategic direction of the restoration work programme.