GOVERNMENT BLAMED FOR NITH FISHING CRISIS
Written by author on February 21, 2017
A DRAMATIC fall in income from Nith Fishings is being blamed on the SNP Scottish Government’s catch and release policy
Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell says the Scottish Government need to take urgent action to support fishing in the area following a dramatic fall in income on the Nith.
Between 2015 and 2016, income on the Dumfries river fell by 45% and Mr Mundell believes that the effects of the Scottish Government’s changes to catch and release are having a hugely detrimental effect on fishing in the region and that local rivers are not getting the support and promotion they need.
Mr Mundell has previously raised the issue with Roseanna Cunningham the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform during a question session at Holyrood to no avail.
Mr Mundell said: “It is clear that more and more people are being put off fishing in Dumfriesshire due to the SNP’s strict policies on catch and release that have come into effect over the last year. The way the policy currently works it has wrongly suggested there are no fish to catch which those on the river say is not the case.
“I have been contacted regularly by many concerned constituents that the longer term future of fishing is in serious danger of being lost if more support is not given. There are also many in the tourism and hospitality sector who have notice a drop in visitors.
“A fall in income of 45% is completely unsustainable and the Scottish Government must recognise the serious issues that we are on the Nith are facing rather than sweeping these concerns under the carpet.
“With season tickets also falling from 52 to 28 over the last year, it is clear that there is a problem.
“The Scottish Government need to outline what plans they have for the future to safeguard fishing on the Nith and I will be continuing to press Ministers on this issue.”
