Post by Speyducer on Nov 28, 2007 23:45:18 GMT
Whilst there are clearly published figures about the rapidly declining commercial fishing efforts (colourfully called 'fixed engine' and 'net & coble') since the year dot, based on the hours or fishing efforts per month (as proscribed by the associated laws governing the commercial fishing licences), there are no official figures at all for the rod & line fishing 'efforts' in Scotland for any time period at all.
It may be simple enough to do for the future, but would require just minute a bit of extra administration by the beat ghillies, or other responsible persons charged with the reporting of rod-caught (whether retained or released) salmon & seatrout, as data is already gathered anyway.
It would appear quite bizarre that although the salmon stocks of Scotland have been agreed by everybody (save the TDSFB!) are less than they were in former years, the official rod-caught figures (combined retained & released) have varied very little over the past 40 years, possibly reflecting the increased numbers of rod-days or rod-hours per beat per year.
With the stocks in certain rivers systems & catchments being still 'fragile', does anyone think it is worth considering reducing the rod angling pressure? ie reducing the number of rods fishing per unit time, or reducing the length of the rod-fishing season?
If we are genuinely concerned about fish stocks and C&R policies, should we not also consider resting larger sections of the river from all fishing pressure for longer periods to allow current stock the chance to improve to better sustainable levels?
Just though I would punt that thought out there.
Mike
It may be simple enough to do for the future, but would require just minute a bit of extra administration by the beat ghillies, or other responsible persons charged with the reporting of rod-caught (whether retained or released) salmon & seatrout, as data is already gathered anyway.
It would appear quite bizarre that although the salmon stocks of Scotland have been agreed by everybody (save the TDSFB!) are less than they were in former years, the official rod-caught figures (combined retained & released) have varied very little over the past 40 years, possibly reflecting the increased numbers of rod-days or rod-hours per beat per year.
With the stocks in certain rivers systems & catchments being still 'fragile', does anyone think it is worth considering reducing the rod angling pressure? ie reducing the number of rods fishing per unit time, or reducing the length of the rod-fishing season?
If we are genuinely concerned about fish stocks and C&R policies, should we not also consider resting larger sections of the river from all fishing pressure for longer periods to allow current stock the chance to improve to better sustainable levels?
Just though I would punt that thought out there.
Mike