A campaign against dodgy deals involving illegally caught or sold salmon is being launched by the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board.
The publicity drive is being run in liaison with police to warn people that the buyers, as well as sellers, of illegal salmon, could be guilty of an offence.
Chris Conroy, director of the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board, said: “Only farmed salmon or those caught in legal net fisheries can be sold in Scotland. It is completely illegal to sell any rod caught salmon, whether by the angler themselves or a third parties such as restaurants or fishmongers. The law applies to portions as well as entire fish.
“Furthermore it is an offence for a person to be in possession of any salmon believing that, or in circumstances in which it would have been reasonable for them to suspect that, the fish had been illegally taken, killed or landed.
“Consider the circumstances under which the fish is being offered to you and whether it seems suspicious. That’s the message that must be hammered home before people find themselves in court after thinking they’ve got a bargain.”
A new advisory leaflet raising awareness of the law relating to the sale and possession of wild salmon and sea trout is being distributed to anglers, food outlets, hotels, restaurants and fish sellers in Inverness and throughout the Ness District catchment area.
Chief Inspector Colin Gough, wildlife crime co-ordinator for the Highlands, said: “This initiative is an excellent example of agencies working together at a practical level to tackle this type of crime and preserve wild salmon and sea trout.
“I am very confident that this initiative will help to reduce criminal activity in these rural areas and I would urge people to be vigilant when they are by the river and/or the coast to report any suspicious activity to Police Scotland on 101 or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
“If you are buying wild salmon we would advise you to get a receipt from the seller. This receipt should include the seller’s name and address, how many fish and where and when they were caught, and the identity of the fishery and proprietor they were acquired from.
“If someone doesn’t want to give such a receipt, it may be wise not to do business with them.”
Ness District has also stepped up its anti-poaching patrols to try to catch offenders before they can sell illegal fish.