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| December
10th 2001 Following the consultation period for the recent Scottish Green Paper, the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) invited a number of organisations representing the interests of coarse anglers in Scotland to attend a meeting to further discuss their submissions in response to the Paper. It had become apparent to SEERAD that an effective dialogue had to be struck up between the Department and coarse anglers. As well as the PAC the organisations represented were the Scottish Federation of Coarse Anglers, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland, the Scottish Carp Group, and the Specialist Anglers' Alliance. While the matters discussed were wide ranging, those of particular concern to pike anglers were related to coarse angling methods - especially the use of rods set in rests, multiple rods, and the use of livebait. Those present representing SEERAD pointed out the practicalities of parliamentary timetables, which mean that changes requiring primary legislation affecting the angling methods mentioned above may take several years to implement. However, they were keen to explore ways in which progress could be made on many of these issues in the meantime and assured us they would facilitate this where possible. With respect to livebaiting, assurances were given that decisions have not been made on the proposed ban. The motivation behind a ban would be to prevent unauthorised and potentially damaging introductions of fish species to waters where they are not currently present. It was made clear that coarse anglers will need to demonstrate - prior to the time when legislation might be tabled (about three years) - that they can adopt responsible practices which eliminate, as far as possible, the potential for unauthorised translocations. It was agreed that the angling groups concerned would consider this matter and return to SEERAD early next year to conduct more detailed discussions. The
Department hoped that the meeting would mark the start of a useful working relationship,
and encouraged the groups represented to make and maintain contact with the Department
whenever they felt it would be useful to do so -especially at the time of any
future consultations. The
specialist eel angling groups have joined forces to issue a press release on the best ways to handle and unhook eels.
In conjunction with the Specialist Anglers' Alliance the PAC has produced a leaflet outlining a recommended code of practice for using live fish as bait. This sheet has the full endorsement of the Environment Agency. All PAC members will recieve a copy of the leaflet with the November Pikelines and it is freely available to anyone on request from the PAC PO Box number. Alternatively the leaflet can be downloaded or printed out here. |
Meeting of Coarse Angling Interests
with SEERAD - 4/12/01