Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch has submitted to the Draft Provisions for a Wild Fisheries (Scotland) Bill/Draft Wild Fisheries Strategy.

The MSP took the opportunity to suggest modifications to the proposals to make trout fishing a criminal offence if permission is not granted.

As part of his contribution to the consultation, Mr Thompson said, “The consultation does not place a duty on estates to provide reasonably prices trout fishing permits, but is proposing to make trout fishing a criminal offence if permission is not granted.

“It seems to me this is a major step backward in terms of land reform and access for those less privileged.

“I strongly feel that the institution of an offence can only be countenanced if there is a duty on estates to not reasonably withhold permission to trout fish and to provide reasonably priced permits to the public”.

Note:

The draft Provisions for a Wild Fisheries (Scotland) Bill/Draft Wild Fisheries Strategy can be found at the following link:

https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/wild-fisheries-reform-team/draft-wild-fisheries-strategy/supporting_documents/Wild%20Fisheries%20Reform%20%20Consultation%20document%20%20%208%20February%202016.pdf