A body representing Scotland’s salmon fisheries has committed to tackling poaching and the indiscriminate killing of wild fish by joining a partnership fighting crime in the sector.
The Association of Salmon Fishery Boards (ASFB) has become a member of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW), which is dedicated to the prevention of crimes against wildlife.
Roseanna Cunningham, environment secretary and chair of PAW, said: “I am very pleased to welcome the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards and their understanding of the challenges that we all face, at this key time.
“An important aspect of the planned reforms of wild fisheries, announced as part of the programme for Government last month, will be to review the current enforcement regime, including the existing offences, and to look at how we can develop our ability to tackle criminality, which can often lead to the death of birds and animals, as well as the fish they target.
“I know ASFB members will play a very active role within PAW, and they are also perfectly placed to spot and report evidence of other wildlife crimes such as illegal freshwater pearl mussel fishing.”
Brian Davidson, director of ASFB said:“Fish poaching goes well beyond just salmon and it is important to recognise that poaching can also have an impact on other animals. A recent case highlighted the death of two otters in illegally set crayfish traps. Marine mammals and birds can also be trapped in illegally set gill nets on the coast.”
The ASFB is the representative body for Scotland’s 41 district salmon fishery boards (DSFBs).