Sporting and commercial interests have again clashed in the wake of a salmon fishing firm’s admission of illegal netting.
Last week Usan Fisheries pleaded guilty at Forfar Sheriff Court to charges brought under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003, relating to activities at the firm’s Angus netting stations.
A proof in mitigation has been arranged in the case and is scheduled to take place within weeks.
Usan Fisheries solicitor Hamish Watt said the company would call a number of expert witnesses to give evidence.
In the latest salvo of a lengthy row between sporting and commercial interests, the Salmon and Trout Association (Scotland) said the Angus company’s actions constituted “wildlife crime pure and simple”.
Salmon and Trout Association (Scotland) chairman Hughie Campbell Adamson said: “We welcome Usan’s admission that it has been fishing illegally.
“Salmon runs are severely depleted and it is more important than ever that those with netting rights exercise them responsibly and certainly within the law.
“Maximising illegal exploitation by systematically ignoring the weekly close time is indefensible. Such activity amounts to wildlife crime pure and simple.”
Usan Salmon Fisheries director George Pullar said: “We welcome the Wild Fisheries Review and its commitment to reform.
“Our priority has to be the safety of our employees pure and simple.
“In a modern Scotland, it is completely unacceptable, in the hazardous environment where we operate, to be forced to choose between complying with archaic fisheries management legislation dating from the 1800s or to first and foremost safeguard our employees’ health and wellbeing in the performance of their duties.
“As responsible employers with bought and paid for legal titles to fish for salmon throughout Scotland and with a track record on engagement in research and conservation initiatives, it is utter nonsense for there to be any suggestion that we operated with criminal intent.
“We are well aware of our clear obligations as an employer in respect of the safety and wellbeing of our staff and look forward to the proof and mitigation hearing where we will robustly state our considered case.”