This evening we were informed by Marine Scotland that following the outcomes of the consultation period the Scottish Ministers have today laid regulations in the Scottish Parliament to set out in detail the provisions which will regulate the retention and killing of salmon in inland waters for the 2018 fishing season.
Marine Scotland have decided to continue to recommend a Category 3 conservation assessment for the Leven/Lomond system for Season 2018. As far as we are aware this still requires to be passed by the Climate Change, Environment and Land Reform Committee before it becomes statute.
This is an extremely disappointing outcome, particularly after our objections and lengthy meetings with Marine Scotland and Roseanna Cunninham MSP, (Cabinet Minister for CCE&LR). The committee are now considering the position and what further action can be taken.
Further detail on the outcomes of the consultation, and a table showing the gradings for all 171 rivers and assessment groups for the season 2018 can be found at the Marine Scotland website:
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Salmon-Trout-Coarse/fishreform/licence/status.
The Regulations themselves can be found at:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2018/37/contents/made.
Anglers are reminded in the meantime that by law no salmon can be killed throughout Scotland until 1st April.
Regards
LLAIA Committee
