Last Thursday the Scottish Government released their proposed conservation regulations to introduce a licensing system for the killing of wild salmon in Scotland and a prohibition on the taking of salmon out with inland waters. These proposals will affect salmon angling and anglers across Scotland.
In summary:
• A licencing system will be introduced for the killing of wild salmon across Scotland
• Stop the taking of salmon out with inland waters
• Licences will limit the number of salmon that can be taken in a specific area
• Licences only to be issued where harvesting of stocks will be at sustainable levels
• Applications for licences will be assessed using the best available information on numbers of returning salmon over a 5 year period.
• A carcass tagging scheme will be introduced
• For now no limitations on baits or lures that can be used for salmon angling.
For more information see the link below which also includes details regarding an on-line forum which will be open until this Thursday which gives more information about the proposals and allows you to submit your own thoughts on the new regulations.
http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00482230.pdf