Mandatory catchand-release concern

Scottish gillies have pushed back on plans to introduce mandatory catchand-release for all Scottish salmon.

Responding to a government proposal, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association fishing group said that “when statutory catch-and-release was introduced in parts of Wales, this resulted in a decline in angler numbers” and “the argument was made that anglers will choose not to exercise a right to take a salmon but that that right was still important for them to retain. This should not be underestimated.”