Members,

Please find below a summary taken from the L.L.A.I.A website of a communication from Marine Scotland Recreational Fisheries to the L.L.A.I.A and all the wider Salmon Fisheries in Scotland.

“I am writing to let you know that the Scottish Ministers propose to continue to regulate the killing of salmon in Scotland, including the prohibition on retaining any salmon caught in coastal waters, by means of conservation regulations made under section 38 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003.

Marine Scotland has undertaken an assessment of the conservation status of salmon in inland waters in Scotland for the 2023 fishing season. The outcome of that assessment, including proposed gradings for rivers and assessment groups in 2023, is available on the Scottish Government website.

Ministers are required, under the terms of section 38 and schedule 1 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003, to publish notice of the proposals allowing a minimum 28 day period for representations or objections to be made. Notice is hereby given that the consultation will be advertised and commence on Wednesday 10th August 2022.

Additionally, the Scottish Government are seeking views on the encouragement of voluntary measures to enhance catch and release rates to 100% across the whole of Scotland. These measures would include highlighting catch and release best practice guidance to reduce post-catch mortality. Should these voluntary measures be unsuccessful in achieving 100% catch and release we are also seeking views on the prospect of introducing mandatory measures in future to achieve this aim. This would potentially involve amending legislation to prohibit the retention of Atlantic salmon on all rivers in Scotland, regardless of their river grading. Please see the proposal on achieving higher catch and release rates for further details.

If you wish to submit a view on the proposed river gradings or on the proposals for achieving higher catch and release rates, you can do so online through our consultation hub using the link below.

You can save and return to your responses while the consultation is still open. Please ensure that consultation responses are submitted before the closing date of Friday 9th September 2022.

Additionally, your views on proposals to enhance catch and release and post-catch survivability rates across the whole of Scotland will contribute to policymaking that further protects and restores wild Atlantic salmon populations.

Link is: https://consult.gov.scot/marine-scotland/salmon-proposed-river-gradings-2023/

It is very important that as many members and anglers submit a response to make their views known to the Scottish Government. The Committee will be making a submission on behalf of the Association, but every Salmon angler should take five minutes to make their own submission to show the passion and commitment we have to our fishing.”

The club Secretary will be in attendance at the VOLDAC on Sunday 4th September from 12:00 - 3:00pm should any member require assistance with composing a response and submitting their views via the online consultation hub.

We would echo the view of the L.L.A.I.A and urge all members to take this opportunity to make their views known to the Scottish Government.

Regards,

The committee