Thinkstock Image: Haaf netters could be involved in a scientific project after the regulations are introduced.
The BBC have reported that MSPs have expressed ‘widely differing’ views on the potential impact of the new wild salmon stock protection rules, due to start on the 1st of April 2016, to south West Scotland.
The new rules bring in a three-year ban on killing fish outside estuary limits and include strict controls on numbers in inland waters.
The SNP’s Joan McAlpine hailed a “reprieve” for haaf netting methods. However, Labour’s Elaine Murray called it a “guesswork decision” while Conservative Alex Fergusson criticised the failure to delay the regulations.
The impact of the new legislation on the ancient tradition of Haaf netting around the Solway had previously raised concerns.
Ms McAlpine stated that Scottish government officials would work on a scientific project which would allow some salmon to be caught as she claimed that the regulations acknowledged the “unique cultural heritage” of the pursuit.
“Nobody knows these stocks better than the haaf netters who have been working the Solway for generations,” she said.
“So they are ideally placed to participate in a project gathering evidence about fish numbers and other conservation material.”
She said the details of the plans had still to be revealed but she would be pressing for an early meeting with fishermen.
A Scottish government spokeswoman said it was aware of the “cultural importance” of haaf netting and the “poor conservation status” assessed in the area meant it could continue on a “catch and release” basis.
She said Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead had made clear they were looking to widen their science focus to include more specific work on the impact on such “cultural activities”.
“Marine Scotland is keen to undertake further scientific work on salmon catches that involves the continuation of existing activities to a degree and we are keen to involve the haaf netters in that programme,” she added.
Read the full article on the South of Scotland BBC page here: