Announcements

BAN ON THE KILLING OF WILD SALMON EXCEPT UNDER LICENCE AND ACCOMPANYING CARCASS TAGGING SCHEME

1. Over the past 6 months the Scottish Government has conducted a series of linked consultations on proposals to deliver a kill licence system. These have identified a range of key stakeholder concerns; perhaps the most common theme has been the request for a straightforward, clear and consistent system which can be effectively managed with minimal additional bureaucracy and cost. Scottish Ministers have listened to, and acted upon, these concerns while still retaining the fundamental principle that any killing of wild salmon - a protected species – must be licenced, is sustainable and does not present a threat to vulnerable stocks.

2. In terms of paragraph 11 of schedule 1 to the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation)(Scotland) Act 2003 (the Act) notice is hereby given that the Scottish Ministers propose to make conservation regulations under section 38 of the Act to regulate the killing of wild salmon in Scotland including a prohibition on the taking of salmon out-with inland waters.

3. The general effect of this proposal will be: a. to prohibit the taking of Atlantic salmon out-with inland waters which will be reviewed after 3 years b. to permit the killing of wild salmon within inland waters where stocks are above a defined conservation limit c. to introduce mandatory catch and release in areas which fall below their defined conservation limit following the annual assessment of salmon stocks d. to require the production of a conservation plan in conjunction with Marine Scotland in areas which fall below their defined conservation limits following the annual assessment of salmon stocks i.e. in areas where the conservation limit has been met in 3 out of the 5 years or less.

4. Under section 38(7) of the Act it is an offence to act in contravention of the regulations or fail to take any action required to comply with a requirement of the regulations. If a person is found guilty of such an offence they will be liable to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale. 5. Salmon continue to face many pressures in the marine and freshwater environment and the latest Marine Scotland Science stock status report for 2014 shows a decline in stocks over the last few years www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/04/6918/downloads. The proposed licensing system will provide a new mechanism for the Scottish Ministers to control the killing of wild salmon ensuring that where harvesting of stocks takes place it is sustainable. 6. Carcass tagging will introduced for commercially caught fish only. 7. Representations or objections in respect of the proposed conservation regulations should be submitted by 29 October 2015 using the contact details below. Representations shall include, where relevant, details of any financial implications particularly related to loss of income.

Fiona Hepburn Marine Scotland Salmon and Recreational Fisheries Team Area 1B North Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ Email: salmonandrecreationalfisheries@scotland.gsi.gov.uk