News from NASCO
THE initial news from the NASCO (North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation) meeting in Northern Finland, 250 miles above the Arctic circle, is amongst the most productive to come from this organisation in many years.
The main debate of interest to us was a debate on the damaging mixed stock fisheries in Northern Europe.
The situation with regard to the Irish Drift Nets was brought to the fore by the head of the EU delegation who said: "Ireland has given a firm commitment to meet scientific advice in 2007 which means that fisheries will only operate in estuaries and rivers in which the stocks have been shown to be above their conservation limits."
All delegates welcomed this statement as this fishery catches a reported 250,000 salmon and grilse per annum.
Favoured with a situation of the end of drift netting on the horizon, Chris Poulpard (Chairman, European Anglers Alliance) went on to discuss the mixed stock fisheries in our home waters and of particular interest to us the remaining coastal interceptery nets.
He was pleased at the huge reduction in the past 20 years but there are still considerable numbers of fish still being caught and the locations which are adjacent to rivers on or near conservation level is still of great concern. He urged continued efforts for the removal of all of these fisheries.
This has of course given the argument for the removal of all coastal netting adjacent to the South Esk a very considerable boost and I would like to think that we are now well on the way to seeing the end of all such fisheries in Scotland.
There is always a niggling doubt about such moves as we are well aware of the reluctance of the local netsmen to discuss the situation and to begin negotiations to eventually bring about a buy out to effect the eventual closure of coastal netting in Angus.
We would all do well to take forward this matter which is on the agenda of such a powerful body.
It was also reported that the total catch for Scotland last year was 191 tonnes, well below the 2004 (final) figure of 245 tonnes.
These figures do not include catch and release by anglers, and it also must be remembered that netting effort was also reduced making the reduction even greater and causing some concern.
It is interesting to note that in 1952 the rod anglers in Scotland took 11% of salmon caught and in 2004 the level was 77%
However… the total all methods catch in Scotland is now about 200 tonnes, 35 years ago it was 1400 to 2000 tonnes. Please remember this.
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Weather for Brechin
Friday 25 May 2012
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