MSPs take stock of salmon bill

The new bill will give government greater powers

A controversial bill aimed at conserving Scotland's dwindling wild salmon stocks is being debated by MSPs.

The proposed legislation would give local fishery boards and ministers wide-ranging powers to change fishing methods and even close fisheries.

The bill was launched by the Scottish Executive after salmon stocks in some rivers reached an all-time low.

The latest figures showed that the total number of salmon and grilse caught and retained by anglers and netsmen in Scotland was 55,538 - down 39.4% on 1998.

Fishing groups have expressed concerns

The total catch has collapsed over the past 40 years, falling from nearly 1,600 tonnes in 1960 to 198 tonnes in 1999.

MSPs are deciding whether to approve the first stage of the Salmon Conservation (Scotland) Bill.

It would give district salmon boards and ministers sweeping new powers to help preserve stocks of the fish, as well as sea trout.

But there have been questions over the effectiveness of the measures.

Fishing groups have told MSPs that salmon stocks are under threat from a range of problems.

To try to identify one specific problem is almost impossible

Walter Davidson, Salmon Net Fishing Association

Concerns have also been expressed that factors other than overfishing by anglers will not be tackled if the bill becomes law.

Jane Wright, of the Scottish Anglers National Association, said the number of seals around the Scottish coast was affecting the salmon population.

And Walter Davidson, of the Salmon Net Fishing Association, said the problem was fish dying at sea - which he said could be caused by pollution and global warming.

Jeremy Read, of the Atlantic Salmon Trust, added: "There are in fact a number of factors and they vary geographically.

"To try to identify one specific problem is almost impossible."

'Discriminatory and unfair'

The bill has also come in for strong criticism from recently-retired judge Lord Morison, who owns fishing rights on the River Deveron in Banffshire.

He said the bill may be illegal under the European Convention on Human Rights because it did not guarantee compensation for affected owners.

"This bill is uneven in its effect, discriminatory, unfair and possibly illegal," he added.

But the Scottish Executive said it stood by its legislation and stressed there was no doubt about its legality.