A controversial Scottish Government decision to extend salmon netting in the South Esk area has been reversed.
However Scotland’s largest salmon netting company, which has been at the centre of the issue, said it has “no issues” and “fully accepts” the U-turn.
In August, ministers granted Usan Salmon Fisheries Ltd a three-year licence to net salmon at its coastal stations south of Montrose for two weeks in September.
This has now been revoked.
One of the firm’s directors, George Pullar, told The Courier: “We fully accept the decision of the Scottish Government to revoke the licence on the basis that the research was no longer required as part of the South Esk Project.
“We understood that the nature of the licence was that it could be revoked at any time and, therefore, have no issues with the decision.”
The extension was to compensate the fishery for disruption caused by Marine Scotland Science’s access “to fish and genetic samples during the commercial fishery season” for tagging research.
As the netting season ends on August 31 the government’s decision came in for criticism from anglers and from some conservation bodies.
The Esk District Salmon Fisheries Board sought a judicial review of the decision to grant the licence, due to be heard this month.
Former board chairman Hughie Campbell Adamson was head of the body when the review was sought.
He said: “The Scottish Government’s capitulation, together with its undertaking to pay the board’s costs, vindicates entirely the EDSFB’s decision to go for judicial review.
“I hope that we can all now move on and never again allow politics and prejudice to jeopardise wild salmon conservation.
“The latter must take priority whether it is in the context of salmon netting on the east coast or the unsustainable increase in salmon farming on the west coast.
“I would especially like to thank the Salmon and Trout Association (Scotland) and the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board for their invaluable support.”
The River South Esk is a Special Area of Conservation for Atlantic salmon.
Conservationists argue the district’s netting operations are closely linked to salmon numbers, not only in the South and North Esks but also in the Tay.
Esk Rivers and Fisheries Trust chairman Tom Sampson said: “The Government’s reversal of its decision is indeed welcome.
“No increased exploitation of salmon, in the context of today’s limited marine survival levels, can be justified.”