It's time to tackle the Cormorant problem
THE scandal that is Loch Leven is causing vigourous argument throughout the angling world.
As this once great fishery (considered worldwide as the premier brown trout fishery) continues to be raped by large congregations of Cormorants it has reduced its boat numbers from 50 to a mere 10.
Cormorants have become a huge problem over the last two decades and are already responsible for the closure of a number of fisheries and are causing great concern on many river systems.
Watching a documentary on Brown Trout Fishing in the Himalayan mountain streams I became quite annoyed as it was a reminder that the trout in these rivers and indeed many rivers and streams throughout the world were all seeded from what was the famous fish from our Loch Leven. If you travel to Peru, Australia or New Zealand it is almost certain that the fish you catch will all be descended from ova taken from our native Loch Leven trout.
Further it must annoy every Scotsman to hear our peers calling on people throughout the world to take conservations of their native species while they choose to ignore a terrifying story happening on our very doorstep. It also annoys me that on the south bank of the loch the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has their Vayne Centre and they vigourously fight for protection of our native and migratory visiting birds and it must be said, for the Cormorants. However, somewhere in the equation there has to be an answer which will assure the continuity of the precious and unique Loch Leven trout.
You may ask, why is this situation happening now and why has it not always been so? Well, Cormorants are a marine species and with uncontrolled fishing in our coastal waters in the past their food species are not there in sufficient quantity thus making the birds look for an alternative food source and they are finding it in our lochs and rivers.
I am really pleased to hear that Scottish Anglers National Association President Ronnie Picken and his trout supremo have had talks with the Government dept. involved and Ronnie is to continue lobbying until some form of protection is achieved. What can we all do to help? Especially all you local anglers who have enjoyed fishing at Loch Leven and have also enjoyed using the new Scottish Angling Centre recently built. Let's make a big noise, I know we all feel the same. Get your club to protest to MPs, Ministers at the Scottish exec.
And all of you bring it up when you get the chance and help SANA in the fight for the conservation of one of our most endangered species.
Have you thought of the consequences? Well it is being mooted that events like Scottish Angling Championships and home International may have to move to an English venue as no other Scottish venues have a large enough complement of boats. Even the smaller angling clubs will be forced to other venues for the same reason.
It is up to us all to let it be known that one of our greatest natural treasures is in real peril and that it is time we got our own house in order before we go crying conservation across the world.
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Weather for Brechin
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 10 C to 14 C
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