New Live Fish Legislation

New legislation is about to be introduced which will make it an offence to introduce, or have the intention to introduce, live fish or spawn into Scottish waters without the appropriate written permission. The new legislation will come into force on the 1st Aug 2008 and appropriate authorities will be either:

a) the local District Salmon Fishery Board (DSFB), where there is one in place, but only for proposed introductions of salmon or sea trout.

b)  the Scottish Government via Fisheries Research Services (FRS), in areas where there are no DSFB, or for applications relating to the introduction of any species other than salmon or sea trout.

For example any organisation or individual planning to stock fish such as brown or rainbow trout, or any coarse fish into any watercourse in Ayrshire would have to apply to FRS for written permission. Proposals to introduce salmon or sea trout anywhere in the Stinchar, Girvan, Doon or Ayr catchments would require the permission of the local DSFB, whilst salmon or sea trout stocking in the Irvine or Garnock would  require permission from FRS.

Details of the application mechanism will be available shortly and will be advised by the Trust. We understand that the application process will be paper based initially with a web-based system under development. There will be no fee for the applicants.

The press release from the Government can be seen at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/06/30112811