The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Gamekeepers push for reopening of River Tay
Group argues local anglers could be permitted while still observing government social distancing measures
The Scottish Government faces pressure to reopen the River Tay to anglers.
It follows an easing of English lockdown measures, where fishers can now return to watercourses as long as social distancing is maintained.
The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) has written to ministers to push for angling on local rivers.
The salmon season began on the River Tay in January, two weeks before lockdown. Many river ghillies have been furloughed and there are concerns among fishery boards about levies for next year as income disappears.
The SGA Fishing Group – a standalone arm of the SGA – is drawing up plans to allow for safe fishing.
Member and River Tay ghillie Robert White said: “We were looking at the situation with angling in Scotland quite a bit before Sunday’s announcement by Boris Johnson.
“We believe there are some straightforward conditions that could be met now which would allow some local anglers to get back out on to river banks in their area, while still following government guidance.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the ideas further with ministers.”
The group believes that two-metre distancing would be easy to maintain between anglers, while social areas such as huts could remain closed. The plea comes after Scottish Government figures showed wild salmon and sea trout stocks are still critically low.
“One of the key things is that this is local angling,” said Charlie Whelan, ambassador for the SGA Fishing Group.
“This is where people could walk to their local beat or, if necessary, take the sort of short journey by car which they would take to go for their shopping.”
He believed local angling clubs and associations could operate safely.
Mr Whelan added that while the bulk of fishery income is normally from overseas, this was not what is proposed.
“Our proposals relate more to an initial phase and getting local anglers back out in a safe manner which doesn’t pose a health risk to others,” he said.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Our message is to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives and this has not changed.
“Although people can now go outside more than once a day to exercise, this should continue to be undertaken close to home and either alone or with members of the same household.”