Marine
Review of wild fisheries management announced
January 15, 2014 by Marine Scotland Communications No Comments | Category Aquaculture, Marine Directorate general
Scotland’s management of salmon and freshwater fisheries must be ‘robust, sustainable and fit for purpose in the 21st century’, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.
The Scottish Government has now asked outgoing Scottish Natural Heritage Chairman Andrew Thin to chair an independent review of wild fisheries management in Scotland.
The aims of the review are to:
- Develop and promote a modern, evidence-based management system for wild fisheries fit for purpose in the 21stcentury and capable of responding to our changing environment.
- To manage, conserve and develop our wild fisheries to maximise the sustainable benefit of Scotland’s wild fish resources to the country as a whole and particularly to rural areas.
The First Minister made the announcement at the official opening of the 2014 salmon fishing season on the River Tay, where he spoke of the importance of wild fisheries to Scotland.
Mr Salmond said:
“We are committed to supporting and protecting Scotland’s famous and valuable salmon and freshwater fisheries. Game and coarse angling is worth £134m in expenditure to Scottish economy, supporting 2,800 jobs across the country. Wild Scottish salmon is a premium food product which has PGI status.
“However, management of wild fisheries is complex and emotive area which has been the subject of multiple reports and investigations over the last 50 years, but, until recently, has seen little meaningful change.
“The Aquaculture and Fisheries Act has modernised governance and management of salmon fisheries, but as Scottish Ministers acknowledged during the passage of the Act we must do more to ensure the system for all our wild fisheries is robust, sustainable and fit for purpose in the 21st century, as well as being able to respond to the changing environment.
“I am happy to announce the next stage is to undertake an independent review of the management of wild fisheries in Scotland. This review is about looking forwards, not backwards and will be founded on what is required to ensure a sustainable wild fishery in Scotland. I am sure everyone with an interest in salmon and freshwater fisheries and their sustainable future will want to engage with Andrew Thin and the review process in a productive and co-operative way, and I would encourage them to do so.”
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