The Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill, voted through by the Scottish Parliament on March 1, has received Royal Assent.
While no official announcement has yet been made, it presumably means livebaiting is now illegal in Scotland.
Pike gags have also been banned by the same legislation.
Click here to read the bill in full.
Showing posts with label scottish parliament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scottish parliament. Show all posts
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Scottish livebait ban - decision day nears
New Scottish fisheries legislation which includes a blanket ban on livebaiting will be debated for the final time on Thursday, March 1.
The Scottish federation for Coarse Angling has made a last-ditch attempt to persuade Environment Minister Sarah Boyack that evidence considered in the closing stages of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill's passage through parliament was incomplete and flawed. Story here.
The only hope now lies in whether MPs will back a last minute ammendment calling for the ban to be replaced by similar legislation to that which currently exists in England and Wales.
The final date for ammendments to be submitted is Friday, February 23 - after which the face of Scottish pike fishing could well be changed forever.
STOP PRESS.... There's still time to e-mail Scottish MPs if you haven't already... For their e-mail addresses and more information click here.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Evidence for Scottish ban "incomplete"
Incomplete evidence and misunderstandings on key issues have led Scotland to the brink of a livebaiting ban, the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling said today.
In a letter to Deputy Environment Minister Sarah Boyack, who has played a leading role in steering the proposed Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill through the Scottish Parliament, the SFCA has requested an urgent meeting with Ms Boyack before the bill becomes law.
The letter and proposed meeting have the full backing of the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain. Both groups have put up a united front in support of the SFCA.
The bill as orginally laid down before Scottish MPs contained powers for livebaiting to be banned in so-called sensitive areas, whose ecology could be threatened by the introduction of alien species.
But just before Christmas, this was ammended to a blanket ban on live baiting north of the Border. The move was backed by MPs during the second reading of the bill.
In the SFCA's letter to Minister, its policy officer Ron Woods said coarse and predator anglers had not been given the chance to make reprsentations on this major change.
"When the Bill was presented to Parliament there was no proposal for a ban to be part of primary legislation," he said.
"Stakeholders were explicitly given to believe that any measure of that kind would come by way of secondary legislation, on which we therefore expected a separate debate that would provide the opportunity to make representations as to our point of view.
"There was no invitation to give written evidence to the Committee on this subject - though we took it upon ourselves to refer to it briefly in our submission - and the Committee did not take oral evidence on the matter when speaking to representatives of angling organisations."
Mr Woods said coarse anglers deeply questioned the argument that livebaiting led to the translocation of fish.
He added: "To support this you mention the presence of ruffe in Loch Lomond. This example is often quoted, but in fact it is misleading and ambiguous.
"It is most unlikely that ruffe would ever have been brought to Loch Lomond as live bait - for the very good reason that they are almost never used for bait at all, being too small for the purpose and comparatively difficult to obtain as they are uncommon in other parts of GB.
"This species has spread elsewhere by other means - for instance, to the Great Lakes in North America through ship’s ballast water - and could have reached Loch Lomond by any of a number of routes unrelated to angling.
"In any event, ruffe are not a new introduction to Loch Lomond. They were first detected in sampling exercises in the early eighties and are likely to have been present for some years prior to that.
"All that a ban will achieve is to penalise today’s responsible anglers for the irresponsibility of unknown individuals more than a generation ago."
Mr Woods added the risks translocation paused to native species in Scotland had been "overstated".
"In reality, there is no firm evidence that ruffe or any other species allegedly introduced as live baits have actually caused harm to populations of any native species in Loch Lomond, or indeed anywhere else in Scotland," he said.
The SFCA and other groups have argued all along the line that the use of livebaits should be restricted to fish taken during the same fishing session, from the water in which they are being used.
Officials claim the code of conduct endorsed by groups such as the PAAS, PAC and Specialist Anglers Alliance was not raised during the debate.
Mr Woods said the code was first raised in 2001. "Our position on this matter has also been reiterated in oral discussions with officials over the years," he said.
"In several meetings of the Steering Group and Fisheries Forum in 2004 and 2005. We have consistently expressed willingness to work closely with the Executive on restricting the use of live baits to those caught from the water being fished, underpinned by a combination of statutory controls over fish movements and a strong voluntary Code of Practice supported by all the bodies representing pike anglers in GB."
In response to Ms Boyack's observation that the ban was "not a big issue", Mr Woods concluded: "I have to point out that you are mistaken. This one measure has overshadowed the whole Bill for coarse anglers.
"Instead of justifiably being welcomed as the first step ever towards legislative recognition for our sport in Scotland, it has simply become known by most coarse anglers as the “Livebaiting Bill”.
"This is all the more unfortunate as we have played an active part in the very comprehensive Forum and Steering Group process that led to the Bill and believe the great majority of the proposals in it are positive.
"You were kind enough to suggest that you and your officials would be happy to talk about the issue with the pike angling community. We welcome that offer and would like to take it up. We would ask that such discussion takes place before the Stage 3 debate."
Anglers on both sides of the border now hope to be given the chance to plead their case direct to the Minister, in a way they have not previously been permitted the opportunity to do so - before the face of pike fishing on some of the UK's most historic waters changes forever.
In a letter to Deputy Environment Minister Sarah Boyack, who has played a leading role in steering the proposed Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill through the Scottish Parliament, the SFCA has requested an urgent meeting with Ms Boyack before the bill becomes law.
The letter and proposed meeting have the full backing of the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain. Both groups have put up a united front in support of the SFCA.
The bill as orginally laid down before Scottish MPs contained powers for livebaiting to be banned in so-called sensitive areas, whose ecology could be threatened by the introduction of alien species.
But just before Christmas, this was ammended to a blanket ban on live baiting north of the Border. The move was backed by MPs during the second reading of the bill.
In the SFCA's letter to Minister, its policy officer Ron Woods said coarse and predator anglers had not been given the chance to make reprsentations on this major change.
"When the Bill was presented to Parliament there was no proposal for a ban to be part of primary legislation," he said.
"Stakeholders were explicitly given to believe that any measure of that kind would come by way of secondary legislation, on which we therefore expected a separate debate that would provide the opportunity to make representations as to our point of view.
"There was no invitation to give written evidence to the Committee on this subject - though we took it upon ourselves to refer to it briefly in our submission - and the Committee did not take oral evidence on the matter when speaking to representatives of angling organisations."
Mr Woods said coarse anglers deeply questioned the argument that livebaiting led to the translocation of fish.
He added: "To support this you mention the presence of ruffe in Loch Lomond. This example is often quoted, but in fact it is misleading and ambiguous.
"It is most unlikely that ruffe would ever have been brought to Loch Lomond as live bait - for the very good reason that they are almost never used for bait at all, being too small for the purpose and comparatively difficult to obtain as they are uncommon in other parts of GB.
"This species has spread elsewhere by other means - for instance, to the Great Lakes in North America through ship’s ballast water - and could have reached Loch Lomond by any of a number of routes unrelated to angling.
"In any event, ruffe are not a new introduction to Loch Lomond. They were first detected in sampling exercises in the early eighties and are likely to have been present for some years prior to that.
"All that a ban will achieve is to penalise today’s responsible anglers for the irresponsibility of unknown individuals more than a generation ago."
Mr Woods added the risks translocation paused to native species in Scotland had been "overstated".
"In reality, there is no firm evidence that ruffe or any other species allegedly introduced as live baits have actually caused harm to populations of any native species in Loch Lomond, or indeed anywhere else in Scotland," he said.
The SFCA and other groups have argued all along the line that the use of livebaits should be restricted to fish taken during the same fishing session, from the water in which they are being used.
Officials claim the code of conduct endorsed by groups such as the PAAS, PAC and Specialist Anglers Alliance was not raised during the debate.
Mr Woods said the code was first raised in 2001. "Our position on this matter has also been reiterated in oral discussions with officials over the years," he said.
"In several meetings of the Steering Group and Fisheries Forum in 2004 and 2005. We have consistently expressed willingness to work closely with the Executive on restricting the use of live baits to those caught from the water being fished, underpinned by a combination of statutory controls over fish movements and a strong voluntary Code of Practice supported by all the bodies representing pike anglers in GB."
In response to Ms Boyack's observation that the ban was "not a big issue", Mr Woods concluded: "I have to point out that you are mistaken. This one measure has overshadowed the whole Bill for coarse anglers.
"Instead of justifiably being welcomed as the first step ever towards legislative recognition for our sport in Scotland, it has simply become known by most coarse anglers as the “Livebaiting Bill”.
"This is all the more unfortunate as we have played an active part in the very comprehensive Forum and Steering Group process that led to the Bill and believe the great majority of the proposals in it are positive.
"You were kind enough to suggest that you and your officials would be happy to talk about the issue with the pike angling community. We welcome that offer and would like to take it up. We would ask that such discussion takes place before the Stage 3 debate."
Anglers on both sides of the border now hope to be given the chance to plead their case direct to the Minister, in a way they have not previously been permitted the opportunity to do so - before the face of pike fishing on some of the UK's most historic waters changes forever.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Scottish livebait ban latest
Pike anglers are passionate about retaining livebating, but the majority of fishing groups want it banned, Scottish MPs were told during the latest debate on the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill.
Conservatives and Scottish National Party members tried to introduce ammendments which would have allowed livebaits caught on the day, on the same water to be used.
But Scotland's deputy environment minister Sarah Boyack said: "After many stakeholders voiced concern about the risk of adverse effects on biodiversity in our inland waters as a result of unused live bait, we decided to include the provision in the bill, to make the policy clear.
"I acknowledge that pike anglers in particular, who represent a minority of anglers, have passionately expressed the view that the use of live vertebrates as bait should continue."
The Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling, the Pike Anglers Alliance and the Pike Anglers Club had all defended the method.
But Ms Boyack went on: ""I want to scotch a few myths that have arisen. The first is that this is a late Executive amendment, which we are trying to sneak through. It is not. The genesis of the proposal that is contained in the amendment was in the Executive's green paper,
"The second myth is that the ban is a welfare issue and that perhaps the next step would be to ban maggots or worms, if not fishing itself.
"I want to make our position clear and put it on the record. The Executive has been consistent on the issue from day one. The issue here is one of biodiversity. Introduced fish can compete with, predate on, give parasites to and spread disease among native fish. The Executive is totally supportive of angling as a sport and a recreation. That needs to be said, given some of the rumours that have been flying around.
"The third myth is that using live vertebrates as bait is not a problem. We do not agree with that view. The use of live vertebrates as bait has resulted in the translocation of live fish. That can happen when live fish used as bait are brought in from other sources and at the end of the day are discarded into the water being fished if they are not used."
Ms Boyack said the presence of Ruffe in Loch Lomond was proof that anglers translocating livebaits had caused alien species to be introduced to waters.
"Loch Lomond now supports a number of fish species that are new to the loch," she said. "One of those species, the ruff, is now the most common in the loch and is thought to pose a major threat to the loch's indigenous powan, which is an internationally renowned species of freshwater fish found in Loch Lomond and Loch Eck. The powan is listed in annex V of the habitats directive, so it is a fish that we want to protect.
It is the Executive's strong view that the use of lures and dead fish, often marine species such as sprat or mackerel, gives anglers a range of different methods that provide a perfectly acceptable alternative to the use of live fish.
"There is no need to put biodiversity at risk. I remind the committee that support for the use of live vertebrates is a minority view. It is a powerful view and it is held with passion, but support for a ban was and continues to be widespread.
"I believe that the case for prohibition is compelling. Support for prohibition is clearly the view of the substantial majority of anglers."
The bill will now go to a final reading, at a date to be fixed. Pike anglers on both sides of the border are lobbying for the amendments to be reinstated when it does.
For the debate in full click here.
Conservatives and Scottish National Party members tried to introduce ammendments which would have allowed livebaits caught on the day, on the same water to be used.
But Scotland's deputy environment minister Sarah Boyack said: "After many stakeholders voiced concern about the risk of adverse effects on biodiversity in our inland waters as a result of unused live bait, we decided to include the provision in the bill, to make the policy clear.
"I acknowledge that pike anglers in particular, who represent a minority of anglers, have passionately expressed the view that the use of live vertebrates as bait should continue."
The Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling, the Pike Anglers Alliance and the Pike Anglers Club had all defended the method.
But Ms Boyack went on: ""I want to scotch a few myths that have arisen. The first is that this is a late Executive amendment, which we are trying to sneak through. It is not. The genesis of the proposal that is contained in the amendment was in the Executive's green paper,
"The second myth is that the ban is a welfare issue and that perhaps the next step would be to ban maggots or worms, if not fishing itself.
"I want to make our position clear and put it on the record. The Executive has been consistent on the issue from day one. The issue here is one of biodiversity. Introduced fish can compete with, predate on, give parasites to and spread disease among native fish. The Executive is totally supportive of angling as a sport and a recreation. That needs to be said, given some of the rumours that have been flying around.
"The third myth is that using live vertebrates as bait is not a problem. We do not agree with that view. The use of live vertebrates as bait has resulted in the translocation of live fish. That can happen when live fish used as bait are brought in from other sources and at the end of the day are discarded into the water being fished if they are not used."
Ms Boyack said the presence of Ruffe in Loch Lomond was proof that anglers translocating livebaits had caused alien species to be introduced to waters.
"Loch Lomond now supports a number of fish species that are new to the loch," she said. "One of those species, the ruff, is now the most common in the loch and is thought to pose a major threat to the loch's indigenous powan, which is an internationally renowned species of freshwater fish found in Loch Lomond and Loch Eck. The powan is listed in annex V of the habitats directive, so it is a fish that we want to protect.
It is the Executive's strong view that the use of lures and dead fish, often marine species such as sprat or mackerel, gives anglers a range of different methods that provide a perfectly acceptable alternative to the use of live fish.
"There is no need to put biodiversity at risk. I remind the committee that support for the use of live vertebrates is a minority view. It is a powerful view and it is held with passion, but support for a ban was and continues to be widespread.
"I believe that the case for prohibition is compelling. Support for prohibition is clearly the view of the substantial majority of anglers."
The bill will now go to a final reading, at a date to be fixed. Pike anglers on both sides of the border are lobbying for the amendments to be reinstated when it does.
For the debate in full click here.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Faint glimmer of hope in Scotland
There is a faint glimmer of hope that livebaiting could be saved in Scotland.
Scottish National Party MP Richard Lochead has submitted an amendment to the draft Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill stating the ban will apply "except in such circumstances as the Scottish Ministers may by regulations specify".
This theoretically opens the door for a regulation allowing the use of live fish as bait where they have been obtained from the fishery, though it would depend on whether the amendment was voted through.
It now looks unlikely the livebaiting secrion of the bill will be discussed next week, MPs are due to debate some sections next Wednesday and the remainder the following week.
Scottish National Party MP Richard Lochead has submitted an amendment to the draft Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill stating the ban will apply "except in such circumstances as the Scottish Ministers may by regulations specify".
This theoretically opens the door for a regulation allowing the use of live fish as bait where they have been obtained from the fishery, though it would depend on whether the amendment was voted through.
It now looks unlikely the livebaiting secrion of the bill will be discussed next week, MPs are due to debate some sections next Wednesday and the remainder the following week.
More here.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Livebaiting is safe in England and Wales
Livebaiting is safe in England and Wales, the Pike Anglers Club can reveal tonight.
A senior Environment Agency policy chief has gone on record to state the agency will not be seeking either a blanket ban - like that proposed in Scotland - or further regional by-laws, such as the Cumbrian coarse bait ban.
PAC president Phil Wakeford said: "We are extremely pleased, however it will never go away completely. The eyes of the public and the authorities are now upon anglers and pike anglers in particular.
"We urge all predator anglers to stay within the law and follow our code of conduct."
Senior officials in the Environment Agency were lobbied on behalf of the PAC and other predator groups by the Specialist Anglers Alliance.
The SAA put our concerns to Adrian Taylor, the EA's fisheries policy manager.
SAA vice-president Chris Burt said: "We have discussed this in depth with Adrian Taylor and are pleased to advise that they have given us an unequivocal assurance that they have no restrictions being planned or considered to restrict the use of live-bait in England and Wales.
"Furthermore, to answer the concerns of our predator group members we would like to elaborate on the individual points that have been raised with the EA."
The PAC's biggest fear was that the proposed Secondary Legislation that being used to make sections of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review law could be used to ban livebaiting by the back door.
But at the meeting with the SAA, Mr Taylor said: "The EA already has the powers to bring in such bans if they were justified, but there are no plans or thoughts to ban live-baiting.
"As far as the EA head office is aware there are also no plans to look at any other local bans similar to the North-west situation. In theory new secondary legislation could be used but the Animal Welfare Bill would have been the logical route for this."
Many feared the blanket ban which looks almost certain to be imposed by the Scottish Parliament makes a similar ban inevitable in the remainder of the UK.
But Mr Taylor said: "Regarding the potential Scottish ban, geography and game fish heritage create an issue for the whole of Scotland, under the fish conservation ticket. The proposal has been driven by the translocation of unwanted species.
"The proposed ban is not based on taking a moral stance on live-baiting. It does not therefore set a precedent for the UK and the EA has no plans or intention to ban or restrict livebaiting."
Chris Burt said: "To sum up, the EA have no plans to either extend the existing
local ban, or to introduce a national ban on live-baiting.
"The SAA would urge all predator anglers to act in a responsible manner in future and abide by the PAC/SAA Code of Practice with regard to the movement of fish for bait."
A senior Environment Agency policy chief has gone on record to state the agency will not be seeking either a blanket ban - like that proposed in Scotland - or further regional by-laws, such as the Cumbrian coarse bait ban.
PAC president Phil Wakeford said: "We are extremely pleased, however it will never go away completely. The eyes of the public and the authorities are now upon anglers and pike anglers in particular.
"We urge all predator anglers to stay within the law and follow our code of conduct."
Senior officials in the Environment Agency were lobbied on behalf of the PAC and other predator groups by the Specialist Anglers Alliance.
The SAA put our concerns to Adrian Taylor, the EA's fisheries policy manager.
SAA vice-president Chris Burt said: "We have discussed this in depth with Adrian Taylor and are pleased to advise that they have given us an unequivocal assurance that they have no restrictions being planned or considered to restrict the use of live-bait in England and Wales.
"Furthermore, to answer the concerns of our predator group members we would like to elaborate on the individual points that have been raised with the EA."
The PAC's biggest fear was that the proposed Secondary Legislation that being used to make sections of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review law could be used to ban livebaiting by the back door.
But at the meeting with the SAA, Mr Taylor said: "The EA already has the powers to bring in such bans if they were justified, but there are no plans or thoughts to ban live-baiting.
"As far as the EA head office is aware there are also no plans to look at any other local bans similar to the North-west situation. In theory new secondary legislation could be used but the Animal Welfare Bill would have been the logical route for this."
Many feared the blanket ban which looks almost certain to be imposed by the Scottish Parliament makes a similar ban inevitable in the remainder of the UK.
But Mr Taylor said: "Regarding the potential Scottish ban, geography and game fish heritage create an issue for the whole of Scotland, under the fish conservation ticket. The proposal has been driven by the translocation of unwanted species.
"The proposed ban is not based on taking a moral stance on live-baiting. It does not therefore set a precedent for the UK and the EA has no plans or intention to ban or restrict livebaiting."
Chris Burt said: "To sum up, the EA have no plans to either extend the existing
local ban, or to introduce a national ban on live-baiting.
"The SAA would urge all predator anglers to act in a responsible manner in future and abide by the PAC/SAA Code of Practice with regard to the movement of fish for bait."
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Nationalists could amend livebait ban
Scottish Nationalists could favour exemptions in a livebait ban, one of their MPs hinted tonight.
Pike anglers on both sies of the border have been lobbying hard since proposals for a blanket ban on live baiting were included in new fisheries legislation.
While the Scottish parliament has provisionally backed the ban, MPs now have the chance to debate the bill line by line, meaning amendments could be introduced.
Responding to an e-mail sent to MSPs, Scottish Nationalist Maureen Watt said: "The SNP supports measures that will prevent alien species invading Scotland's rivers given the associated dangers to fish health and biodiversity.
"We therefore support bans on the use of live bait. However, we believe there may be a case for exemptions, for instance for the use of certain live bait that poses none of the above mentioned threats.
"Once we have had sight of the Minister's proposed amendment that will introduce the ban, if need be, SNP members on the committee will introduce amendments allowing exemptions to be introduced through secondary legislation.
"The SNP is keen to prevent any disproportionate impact on coarse angling."
Scottish Conservatives have already said they will back amendments to the bill to prevent a blanket ban.
STOP PRESS... There's still time to e-mail... Click here to see how...
Pike anglers on both sies of the border have been lobbying hard since proposals for a blanket ban on live baiting were included in new fisheries legislation.
While the Scottish parliament has provisionally backed the ban, MPs now have the chance to debate the bill line by line, meaning amendments could be introduced.
Responding to an e-mail sent to MSPs, Scottish Nationalist Maureen Watt said: "The SNP supports measures that will prevent alien species invading Scotland's rivers given the associated dangers to fish health and biodiversity.
"We therefore support bans on the use of live bait. However, we believe there may be a case for exemptions, for instance for the use of certain live bait that poses none of the above mentioned threats.
"Once we have had sight of the Minister's proposed amendment that will introduce the ban, if need be, SNP members on the committee will introduce amendments allowing exemptions to be introduced through secondary legislation.
"The SNP is keen to prevent any disproportionate impact on coarse angling."
Scottish Conservatives have already said they will back amendments to the bill to prevent a blanket ban.
STOP PRESS... There's still time to e-mail... Click here to see how...
Friday, January 12, 2007
Scottish Tories rally behind pikers
Conservative MPs in Scotland are rallying behind pike fishing as the Scottish Parliament gets set to debate a ban on livebaiting.
In a reply to an e-mail from a PAC member Dave Petrie, Scottish Conservative Spokesman for Communities, and the MSP for Highlands & Island, said: "I refer to your recent e-mail regarding the above matter which is currently being discussed at the Scottish Parliament and thank you for taking the time to write.
"The Scottish Conservative spokesman responsible for this area is my colleague Ted Brocklebank, Rural Affairs Spokesman.
"He has always maintained a high level of interest into matters concerning fishing and I know it is a Bill he is working very hard on to ensure that only the best possible legislation is introduced.
"I have accordingly discussed the particular matter of a ban on live bait with him for you.
"We both very much share your concerns on Executive proposals to ban live bait and its consequences to the future of pike fishing in Scotland.
"The Scottish Conservative Party is united in its opposition to these measures and we will be doing all we can to oppose such attempts. We are currently looking into ways of amending the Bill to achieve these aims."
Scottish MPs are expected to debate the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill, which includes proposals to ban all live vertebrates for bait, on January 24.
In a reply to an e-mail from a PAC member Dave Petrie, Scottish Conservative Spokesman for Communities, and the MSP for Highlands & Island, said: "I refer to your recent e-mail regarding the above matter which is currently being discussed at the Scottish Parliament and thank you for taking the time to write.
"The Scottish Conservative spokesman responsible for this area is my colleague Ted Brocklebank, Rural Affairs Spokesman.
"He has always maintained a high level of interest into matters concerning fishing and I know it is a Bill he is working very hard on to ensure that only the best possible legislation is introduced.
"I have accordingly discussed the particular matter of a ban on live bait with him for you.
"We both very much share your concerns on Executive proposals to ban live bait and its consequences to the future of pike fishing in Scotland.
"The Scottish Conservative Party is united in its opposition to these measures and we will be doing all we can to oppose such attempts. We are currently looking into ways of amending the Bill to achieve these aims."
Scottish MPs are expected to debate the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill, which includes proposals to ban all live vertebrates for bait, on January 24.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Scottish livebait ban 'not needed'
A livebaiting ban in Scotland is uneccessary and won't achieve what it sets
out to do.
out to do.
That was the message from the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling today,
as it stepped up its campaign to overturn amended fisheries legislation
which would ban the method.
"Banning the use of live fish as bait is entirely unnecessary, and will
contribute absolutely nothing to meeting the goals the Executive says they
want to achieve from it," said SFCA policy officer Ron Woods.
"They claim a ban is needed to prevent non-native fish speces spreading
through Scotland. The use of live fish as bait and the movement of fish
between waters are entirely separate issues, but even there was a connection
in some cases it could only account for a tiny fraction of the non-native
introductions in Scotland.
"Most of these come from deliberate stocking by clubs or fishery
proprietors, escapes from aquaculture facilities, or discards from garden
ponds; yet the Bill does not seek to ban any of those activities. Instead -
quite rightly - it aims to prevent inappropriate introductions and transfers
by introducing legislation regulating fish movements.
"This is all that is needed, but if the Executive feels they have to go
further they could bring in provisions similar to those in Denmark which
restrict the use of livebaits to fish caught on the same day from the same
water where they are being used. SFCA would be happy to work with the
Executive and others to formulate Regulations along those lines, and to
promote compliance."
Scottish MPs will discuss the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill later this
month.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
£500m tackle trade backs livebaiting
A ringing endorsement for livebaiting has come from a powerful lobby group representing some of the biggest names in fishing.
The Angling Trades Association - whose members include tackle giants Daiwa, Leeda, Masterline, Middy, Mustad, Shakespeare, Sundridge, the angling media and major retailers - is supporting the Pike Anglers Club and its allies in their campaign to retain the method.
Scottish MPs meet to discuss new fisheries legislation which includes a livebait ban later this month.
Ministers believe banning the method will prevent illegal fish transfers between waters, though an increasing number of Scottish MPs are indicating their opposition.
Pike anglers on both sides of the border maintain all that is needed is a similar system to that already in place in England and Wales, coupled with effective enforcement.
ATA chairman Sean O'Driscoll said: "'The Angling Trades Association appreciates the need to protect rare, isolated populations of whitefish from threats caused by the release of non-native fish species.
"However, it does not agree that moves to achieve this through livebait bans are justified or that they will prove effective.
"Bans impose unwarranted restrictions on the freedom of predator anglers to use livebait as a traditional, productive and legal method of capturing fish in fresh water and, indeed, in the sea.
"Unauthorised fishery-to-fishery movements of fish are already illegal, be it for angling or any other purpose, and they can only be prevented by effective enforcement of the existing laws.
"The association endorses the codes of conduct issued by the Pike Anglers Club and others, specifically by encouraging all anglers to act responsibly and use livebait caught on the day from the water being fished."
A recent survey revealed the tackle trade contributes more than £500m to the UK economy and supports 18,000 jobs. Insiders see a livebaiting ban as the thin end of a wedge which threatens a sport enjoyed by 4m people of all ages, from all walks of life, across the UK.
PAC chairman Colin Goodge said: "We are grateful that main trade association in the tackle industry, which supports thousands of jobs and contributes millions to the economy is willing to back us.
"This shows the importance of this issue for the whole of angling, which we have been stressing from the outset. It's a powerful endorsement for what we and a lot of other people have been saying all along."
Scottish MPs meet to discuss new fisheries legislation later this month. Members of the PAC, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling have been lobbying hard against a last-minute amendment to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, proposing a blanket livebait ban.
The Angling Trades Association - whose members include tackle giants Daiwa, Leeda, Masterline, Middy, Mustad, Shakespeare, Sundridge, the angling media and major retailers - is supporting the Pike Anglers Club and its allies in their campaign to retain the method.
Scottish MPs meet to discuss new fisheries legislation which includes a livebait ban later this month.
Ministers believe banning the method will prevent illegal fish transfers between waters, though an increasing number of Scottish MPs are indicating their opposition.
Pike anglers on both sides of the border maintain all that is needed is a similar system to that already in place in England and Wales, coupled with effective enforcement.
ATA chairman Sean O'Driscoll said: "'The Angling Trades Association appreciates the need to protect rare, isolated populations of whitefish from threats caused by the release of non-native fish species.
"However, it does not agree that moves to achieve this through livebait bans are justified or that they will prove effective.
"Bans impose unwarranted restrictions on the freedom of predator anglers to use livebait as a traditional, productive and legal method of capturing fish in fresh water and, indeed, in the sea.
"Unauthorised fishery-to-fishery movements of fish are already illegal, be it for angling or any other purpose, and they can only be prevented by effective enforcement of the existing laws.
"The association endorses the codes of conduct issued by the Pike Anglers Club and others, specifically by encouraging all anglers to act responsibly and use livebait caught on the day from the water being fished."
A recent survey revealed the tackle trade contributes more than £500m to the UK economy and supports 18,000 jobs. Insiders see a livebaiting ban as the thin end of a wedge which threatens a sport enjoyed by 4m people of all ages, from all walks of life, across the UK.
PAC chairman Colin Goodge said: "We are grateful that main trade association in the tackle industry, which supports thousands of jobs and contributes millions to the economy is willing to back us.
"This shows the importance of this issue for the whole of angling, which we have been stressing from the outset. It's a powerful endorsement for what we and a lot of other people have been saying all along."
Scottish MPs meet to discuss new fisheries legislation later this month. Members of the PAC, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling have been lobbying hard against a last-minute amendment to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, proposing a blanket livebait ban.
Ban was always on the cards, says MSP
Green MSP Chris Balance has given an insight into his party's perspective on fishing and the Scottish Parliament's view on livebaiting, in this e-mail to a PAC member:
As you know the proposal to which you refer is contained in the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill which is currently progressing through the Scottish Parliament.
The Bill was introduced by ministers and includes measures to improve regulation of aquaculture, measures to deal with an outbreak of Gyrodactylus Salaris should this parasite ever reach Scottish waters, and various provisions related to salmon and freshwater fisheries.
The Bill has broad cross party support. It should be noted that one policy intention of the section on freshwater fisheries is to increase access to angling opportunities.
The Bill as originally introduced does not contain the provision to ban the use of live vertebrates as bait, but the Minister made it clear that the intention was always to introduce such a ban, through regulations which would follow from the passage of the Bill.
In a letter to the Committee the Ministers noted that they had an open mind as to whether this issue should be explicitly in the Bill or should follow in regulations, and that if the committee felt that this should be on the face of the Bill the Minister would bring forward an amendment to that effect at Stage 2 (which we expect to start on 24th January).
The committee in its Stage 1 report made a recommendation that this should be explicitly included in the Bill, so we expect the Minister to introduce such an amendment.
In considering this issue the committee heard evidence on the two aspects of this issue namely the possible introduction of alien species used as bait into a body of water, and the fish welfare issue of using live fish as bait. Both were felt to be valid concerns.
While I accept that the use of only fish caught on the same day from the same body of water would avoid the first problem, the welfare issue remains.
I realise that this would stop a practice that has been the norm among pike fishermen.
I do however note that on the Pike Anglers' Club of Great Britain website there is advice about pike angling with dead bait so I hope that the effect of a ban would not be as great as you suggest.
Please be assured that Green MSPs recognise the value of angling and that there is no "hidden agenda" to stop it, quite the reverse as I indicated in my first paragraph.
Chris Balance, MSP
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Scottish bait ban is "ruffe justice"
Ministers want to ban livebaiting in Scotland to stem the spread of alien species - especially the ruffe which have allegedly been released into Loch Lomond, The Scotsman reports today.
Click here for full report.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Livebaiting latest: 'We'll listen,' says MSP
Pike anglers have been e-mailing Scottish MPs, asking them to think again over the livebaiting ban which was added at the eleventh hour to new Scottish fisheries legislation.
One has received the following reply from one MSP, who promises they'll take all views into account.
One has received the following reply from one MSP, who promises they'll take all views into account.
"Thank you for your e-mail.
"A number of people with an interest in this issue have written to me in similar terms, and as a member of the Committee doing the detailed work on the Bill, I will take these views into account when we consider amendments to the proposed legislation.
"I hope that by working with all the various interest groups and listening to those people with practical experience and most directly affected we will end up with a sensible and effective piece of legislation.
"I appreciate your taking the time and trouble to make your views known.
Yours sincerely
Nora Radcliffe"
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Submissions from the Pike Anglers Club, Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling on the livebaiting issues were ignored.
For more on the ongoing campaign in Scotland and a list of addresses you can e-mail, click here.
For more on the ongoing campaign in Scotland and a list of addresses you can e-mail, click here.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Sunday newspaper report - a clarification
Today's Sunday Telegraph reports the Scottish Parliament's banned livebaiting because MPs think it's cruel.
As we've reported at some length on this blog and elsewhere, the objective of the proposed ban - which is still a proposed ban - was to stop people moving fish from water to water.
For the most recent news on the issue click here.
As we've reported at some length on this blog and elsewhere, the objective of the proposed ban - which is still a proposed ban - was to stop people moving fish from water to water.
For the most recent news on the issue click here.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
E-mail now to stave off livebait ban
Pike anglers are being urged to bombard Scottish MPs with e-mails in a last-ditch bid to stave off a livebaiting ban north of the border.
The Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling hope to persuade MPs to bring in tighter controls on fish movements instead, claiming a livebaiting ban will not protect Scotland's fisheries.
A draft Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill was amended at the eleventh hour to include a blanket ban. The proposed legislation previously gave officials powers to ban livebaiting in environmentally-sensitive areas.
Ron Woods, policy officer from the SFCA said: "It's important to stress that there are some very positive things in the Bill, not least that this is the first piece of Scottish fisheries legislation ever to recognise the existence of coarse angling, and there's a lot more to play for than just the livebait issue.
"We may go down fighting on that one in the end, but I'm very keen that this should not blind us to the opportunity - and indeed the need - to campaign more widely for constructive measures as well, especially with regard to protecting coarse fish stocks against culling."
The SFCA livebait policy is endorsed by both the PAAS and PAC. There's further information on the SFCA's website here.
A list of all MSP's e-mail addresses is below. You should be able to cut and paste these into the address window of an e-mail.
If the full Parliament endorses the Bill after it reconvenes next week, it will become law.
brian.adam.msp@scottish.parliament.ukThe Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling hope to persuade MPs to bring in tighter controls on fish movements instead, claiming a livebaiting ban will not protect Scotland's fisheries.
A draft Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill was amended at the eleventh hour to include a blanket ban. The proposed legislation previously gave officials powers to ban livebaiting in environmentally-sensitive areas.
Ron Woods, policy officer from the SFCA said: "It's important to stress that there are some very positive things in the Bill, not least that this is the first piece of Scottish fisheries legislation ever to recognise the existence of coarse angling, and there's a lot more to play for than just the livebait issue.
"We may go down fighting on that one in the end, but I'm very keen that this should not blind us to the opportunity - and indeed the need - to campaign more widely for constructive measures as well, especially with regard to protecting coarse fish stocks against culling."
The SFCA livebait policy is endorsed by both the PAAS and PAC. There's further information on the SFCA's website here.
A list of all MSP's e-mail addresses is below. You should be able to cut and paste these into the address window of an e-mail.
If the full Parliament endorses the Bill after it reconvenes next week, it will become law.
bill.aitken.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
wendy.alexander.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
andrew.arbuckle.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
jackie.baillie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
shiona.baird.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
richard.baker.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
chris.ballance.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
mark.ballard.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
scott.barrie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
sarah.boyack.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
rhona.brankin.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
ted.brocklebank.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
robert.brown.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
derek.brownlee.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
bill.butler.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
rosemary.byrne.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
dennis.canavan.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
malcolm.chisholm.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
cathie.craigie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
bruce.crawford.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
roseanna.cunningham.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
frances.curran.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
margaret.curran.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
david.davidson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
susan.deacon.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
james.douglas-hamilton.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
helen.eadie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
fergus.ewing.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
linda.fabiani.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
patricia.ferguson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
ross.finnie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
colin.fox.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
murdo.fraser.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
phil.gallie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
rob.gibson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
karen.gillon.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
marlyn.glen.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
trish.godman.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
annabel.goldie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
charles.gordon.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
donald.gorrie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
christine.grahame.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
robin.harper.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
patrick.harvie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
hugh.henry.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
john.home.robertson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
janis.hughes.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
fiona.hyslop.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
adam.ingram.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
gordon.jackson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
sylvia.jackson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
cathy.jamieson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
margaret.jamieson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
alexander.johnstone.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
rosie.kane.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
andy.kerr.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
johann.lamont.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
carolyn.leckie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
marilyn.livingstone.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
richard.lochhead.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
george.lyon.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
kenny.macaskill.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
frank.mcaveety.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
tom.mccabe.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
jack.mcconnell.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
lewis.macdonald.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
margo.macdonald.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
bruce.mcfee.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
jamie.mcgrigor.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
kenneth.macintosh.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
kate.maclean.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
david.mcletchie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
michael.mcmahon.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
maureen.macmillan.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
duncan.mcneil.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
pauline.mcneill.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
des.mcnulty.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
campbell.martin.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
paul.martin.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
tricia.marwick.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
jim.mather.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
michael.matheson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
stewart.maxwell.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
christine.may.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
nanette.milne.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
margaret.mitchell.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
brian.monteith.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
alasdair.morgan.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
alasdair.morrison.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
bristow.muldoon.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
mary.mulligan.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
john.munro.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
elaine.murray.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
alex.neil.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
irene.oldfather.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
peter.peacock.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
cathy.peattie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
dave.petrie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
mike.pringle.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
jeremy.purvis.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
nora.radcliffe.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
george.reid.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
shona.robison.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
euan.robson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
mike.rumbles.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
mark.ruskell.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
eleanor.scott.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
john.scott.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
tavish.scott.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
tommy.sheridan.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
elaine.smith.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
iain.smith.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
margaret.smith.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
nicol.stephen.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
msp@stewartstevenson.net
jamie.stone.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
nicola.sturgeon.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
john.swinburne.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
john.swinney.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
murray.tosh.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
jean.turner.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
jim.wallace.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
maureen.watt.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
andrew.welsh.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
sandra.white.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
karen.whitefield.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
allan.wilson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Scottish livebait ban set to become reality
A livebaiting ban in Scotland came another step closer to becoming a reality as the Scottish Parliament agreed in principle the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill.
Debating the bill last week, MSPs discussed tough new measures to eradicate the salmon parasite Gyrodactylus salaris in the event of an outbreak in Scotland.
They include the powers to poison river catchments if the disease, which is currently present in Scandinavian countries, is detected.
But Green MSP Eleanor Scott turned the debate to the ethics of livebaiting and the blanket ban which was now included in the fabric of the bill, instead of an earlier proposal to create the power for bait bans in areas where translocation of baits could put rare species at risk.
Ms Scott said: "There are two problems with using live fish as bait. First, if they escape the potential exists for them to establish themselves in areas where they do not belong—which, it has been argued, has already happened—with consequent effects on the ecosystem.
"The second problem is fish welfare. Some angling groups have suggested using as bait fish that were caught in the same waters on the same day. That would solve one problem, but it would not solve the fish welfare problem. Fish are sentient beings. That is acknowledged by the aquaculture industry, which has taken steps over the years progressively to safeguard fish welfare. I do not believe that any live vertebrates should be used as bait and I endorse the committee's request that the Executive lodges an amendment to prohibit the practice."
In her closing speech deputy environment minister Rhona Brankin, who endorsed the livebait ban, said: "I thank the members who have spoken in today's debate. The vast majority have been thoughtful and constructive and have brought a degree of consensus to our deliberations. I am glad that there has been widespread support for the broad sweep of our proposals from across the chamber. I believe that that reflects our stakeholders' views about the bill.
"Eleanor Scott talked about using live fish as bait. The Executive will lodge a stage 2 amendment to introduce explicit provision in the bill that will prohibit the use of live vertebrates as bait. That is in response to the committee's recommendations and stakeholders' wishes."
The bill was agreed in principle at the end of the debate, meaning it now looks certain to go to become law.
Debating the bill last week, MSPs discussed tough new measures to eradicate the salmon parasite Gyrodactylus salaris in the event of an outbreak in Scotland.
They include the powers to poison river catchments if the disease, which is currently present in Scandinavian countries, is detected.
But Green MSP Eleanor Scott turned the debate to the ethics of livebaiting and the blanket ban which was now included in the fabric of the bill, instead of an earlier proposal to create the power for bait bans in areas where translocation of baits could put rare species at risk.
Ms Scott said: "There are two problems with using live fish as bait. First, if they escape the potential exists for them to establish themselves in areas where they do not belong—which, it has been argued, has already happened—with consequent effects on the ecosystem.
"The second problem is fish welfare. Some angling groups have suggested using as bait fish that were caught in the same waters on the same day. That would solve one problem, but it would not solve the fish welfare problem. Fish are sentient beings. That is acknowledged by the aquaculture industry, which has taken steps over the years progressively to safeguard fish welfare. I do not believe that any live vertebrates should be used as bait and I endorse the committee's request that the Executive lodges an amendment to prohibit the practice."
In her closing speech deputy environment minister Rhona Brankin, who endorsed the livebait ban, said: "I thank the members who have spoken in today's debate. The vast majority have been thoughtful and constructive and have brought a degree of consensus to our deliberations. I am glad that there has been widespread support for the broad sweep of our proposals from across the chamber. I believe that that reflects our stakeholders' views about the bill.
"Eleanor Scott talked about using live fish as bait. The Executive will lodge a stage 2 amendment to introduce explicit provision in the bill that will prohibit the use of live vertebrates as bait. That is in response to the committee's recommendations and stakeholders' wishes."
The bill was agreed in principle at the end of the debate, meaning it now looks certain to go to become law.
To read the whole debate click here. NB the fisheries bill is some way down the day's business.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Scottish pike fishing in crisis
Pike fishing in Scotland is in crisis this weekend, with a blanket ban on livebaiting now looking certain and the management of a potential record-breaking water threatening a pike cull to deter poachers.
An eleventh-hour amendment to the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill, soon to be debated by MPs, prohibits the use of all live vertebrates.
Throughout its consultation stage, the bill proposed the less extreme measure of creating the power to ban livebaiting in areas where translocation could be argued to pose a risk to rare species or sensitive ecosystems.
But the tougher power has been strongly endorsed by Scotland's deputy environment minister Rhona Brankin.
Responding to the latest draft of the bill on behalf of the ruling Scottish Executive, she said: "I thank the Committee for their recommendation that the Executive brings forward an amendment at Stage 2 to prohibit the use of live vertebrates as bait. I can confirm that we shall do so."
How realistic - or for that matter enforceable - such a ban might be will remain to be seen in a country where many of the waters pike anglers fish are vast and remote.
During the consultation period before the wording of the bill was changed, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland, Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling and Pike Anglers Club for Great Britain all argued that a similar approach to that currently in force in England would suffice.
In its submission, the PAAS said: "We totally oppose such a ban. It would be both superfluous and disproportionate to the risks it purports to address.
"It is claimed by some that discarded or escaped live baits have been responsible for the introduction of certain species to a number of waters in Scotland.
"There is no hard evidence for this, but even if it is true it could only account for a tiny fraction of the spread of locally non-native species and the dilution of genetic identity among established species in Scotland."
The Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling said: "There is no necessary connection or causal link between the use of live fish as bait and the movement of fish between waters. These are two entirely separate issues.
"The appropriate way to prevent inappropriate introductions and transfers is by legislation directly regulating fish movements.
"No additional Regulation is required. If the Executive believes it is essential to strengthen this by regulating the use of live fish as bait, the appropriate step would be to bring in provisions analogous to those in Denmark which directly restrict the use of livebaits to fish caught on the same day from the same water where they are being used.
"Whilst probably still superfluous, this is workable and would reinforce the message the Executive seeks to convey without alienating the angling community it aims to regulate."
The Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain came out strongly in support of the PAAS and SFCA.
In it's submission, the PAC said: "We believe any bans should be the province of individual fishery owners and controlling clubs, in consultation with interested and informed bodies such as the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and ourselves."
Addressing the wider livebaiting issue, it added: "We reject the claim that anglers translocating livebaits have been responsible for the wholesale introduction of species such as roach to waters where they were not previously indiginous.
"We believe that the appropriate way to prevent inappropriate introductions and transfers is by legislation directly regulating fish movements, such as exists in England under Section 30 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act."
As the PAC and PAAS decide whether it is worth mounting some kind of last ditch lobbying effort, it emerged that the management at Gartmorn Dam are considering culling their potentially record-breaking stock of pike.
Broadcaster Keith Arthur broke the story on his show on Talksport this morning.
It is understood management at the 168-acre Clackmannanshire trout water have told Angling Times they will bring out the gill nets if pike anglers don't stop poaching the water, which is closed to all anglers between October and March 31.
The lake has produced fish to over 40lbs in recent seasons, and a string of 30lbs-plus specimens.
Ironically, pike anglers are allowed to fish the water via privileged access days organised by the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland.
But there have been confrontations on the banks in recent months involving pike anglers poaching the water and officials claim fences have been damaged and ropes set out in the water to prevent trout being stolen have been cut.
An eleventh-hour amendment to the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill, soon to be debated by MPs, prohibits the use of all live vertebrates.
Throughout its consultation stage, the bill proposed the less extreme measure of creating the power to ban livebaiting in areas where translocation could be argued to pose a risk to rare species or sensitive ecosystems.
But the tougher power has been strongly endorsed by Scotland's deputy environment minister Rhona Brankin.
Responding to the latest draft of the bill on behalf of the ruling Scottish Executive, she said: "I thank the Committee for their recommendation that the Executive brings forward an amendment at Stage 2 to prohibit the use of live vertebrates as bait. I can confirm that we shall do so."
How realistic - or for that matter enforceable - such a ban might be will remain to be seen in a country where many of the waters pike anglers fish are vast and remote.
During the consultation period before the wording of the bill was changed, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland, Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling and Pike Anglers Club for Great Britain all argued that a similar approach to that currently in force in England would suffice.
In its submission, the PAAS said: "We totally oppose such a ban. It would be both superfluous and disproportionate to the risks it purports to address.
"It is claimed by some that discarded or escaped live baits have been responsible for the introduction of certain species to a number of waters in Scotland.
"There is no hard evidence for this, but even if it is true it could only account for a tiny fraction of the spread of locally non-native species and the dilution of genetic identity among established species in Scotland."
The Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling said: "There is no necessary connection or causal link between the use of live fish as bait and the movement of fish between waters. These are two entirely separate issues.
"The appropriate way to prevent inappropriate introductions and transfers is by legislation directly regulating fish movements.
"No additional Regulation is required. If the Executive believes it is essential to strengthen this by regulating the use of live fish as bait, the appropriate step would be to bring in provisions analogous to those in Denmark which directly restrict the use of livebaits to fish caught on the same day from the same water where they are being used.
"Whilst probably still superfluous, this is workable and would reinforce the message the Executive seeks to convey without alienating the angling community it aims to regulate."
The Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain came out strongly in support of the PAAS and SFCA.
In it's submission, the PAC said: "We believe any bans should be the province of individual fishery owners and controlling clubs, in consultation with interested and informed bodies such as the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and ourselves."
Addressing the wider livebaiting issue, it added: "We reject the claim that anglers translocating livebaits have been responsible for the wholesale introduction of species such as roach to waters where they were not previously indiginous.
"We believe that the appropriate way to prevent inappropriate introductions and transfers is by legislation directly regulating fish movements, such as exists in England under Section 30 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act."
As the PAC and PAAS decide whether it is worth mounting some kind of last ditch lobbying effort, it emerged that the management at Gartmorn Dam are considering culling their potentially record-breaking stock of pike.
Broadcaster Keith Arthur broke the story on his show on Talksport this morning.
It is understood management at the 168-acre Clackmannanshire trout water have told Angling Times they will bring out the gill nets if pike anglers don't stop poaching the water, which is closed to all anglers between October and March 31.
The lake has produced fish to over 40lbs in recent seasons, and a string of 30lbs-plus specimens.
Ironically, pike anglers are allowed to fish the water via privileged access days organised by the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland.
But there have been confrontations on the banks in recent months involving pike anglers poaching the water and officials claim fences have been damaged and ropes set out in the water to prevent trout being stolen have been cut.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Scottish livebait ban clears another hurdle
A ban on livebaiting across Scotland looked certain to form part of the forthcoming Scottish Fisheries Bill tonight after the Scottish Executive backed the move.
Original drafts of the bill proposed creating the power to ban livebaiting in areas where translocation of fish could damage rare species or fragile ecosystems.
But an ammendment tabled last month proposed a blanket ban and this has now become incorporated into the bill.
In her response, which was published on the Scottish Parliament's website earlier today Rhona Brankin, Scotland's Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development said: "I thank the Committee for their recommendation that the Executive brings forward an amendment at Stage 2 to prohibit the use of live vertebrates as bait. I can confirm that we shall do so."
In her opening remarks, Ms Brankin said she was happy with the wording of the Bill, after lengthy consultation.
She went on: "I believe that as a result, the Bill reflects the agreed view of the majority of stakeholders, striking a careful balance between competing priorities.
"While there are clearly some points of detail which may require to be amended, I believe the Bill as a whole should not be changed fundamentally."
Coarse angling interests north of the border, between them representing thousands of anglers, were united in their support for livebaiting and their belief similar legislation to that currently in force in England would suffice.
The PAC came out strongly in support of the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling in its submission during the consultation stage.
Original drafts of the bill proposed creating the power to ban livebaiting in areas where translocation of fish could damage rare species or fragile ecosystems.
But an ammendment tabled last month proposed a blanket ban and this has now become incorporated into the bill.
In her response, which was published on the Scottish Parliament's website earlier today Rhona Brankin, Scotland's Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development said: "I thank the Committee for their recommendation that the Executive brings forward an amendment at Stage 2 to prohibit the use of live vertebrates as bait. I can confirm that we shall do so."
In her opening remarks, Ms Brankin said she was happy with the wording of the Bill, after lengthy consultation.
She went on: "I believe that as a result, the Bill reflects the agreed view of the majority of stakeholders, striking a careful balance between competing priorities.
"While there are clearly some points of detail which may require to be amended, I believe the Bill as a whole should not be changed fundamentally."
Coarse angling interests north of the border, between them representing thousands of anglers, were united in their support for livebaiting and their belief similar legislation to that currently in force in England would suffice.
The PAC came out strongly in support of the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling in its submission during the consultation stage.
To read Rhona Brankin's response on behalf of the Scottish Executive in full, click here.
For more of the background, click here.
For the PAC's written submission in evidence, click here.
For the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland's submission, click here.
For the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling's submission, click here.
For links to all submissions received, click here.
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