Before i begin, let me state for the records that i'm not familiar with the UK/European legislation regarding the Salmon Fishery Act as I may ask a question that may to some already be know as general knowledge . I've mentioned this as i've been ridiculed in the past for my apparent lack of knowledge pertaining to the regulations surround the act.

I’m all for conservation and the preservation of wildlife and do acknowledge the need for subsistence farming, however I came across a couple of lads whom where using a net to catch the migratory salmon swimming upstream, I asked whether this was allowed and they mentioned it was perfectly legal as it was not “drift netting” as long as you had a license, when I asked whether they were going to tag the fish they caught they looked a bit bemused and said “sure of course we will” they then proceeded to take a bag out with what must have been +100 tags ?? I find this all to be rather suspicious and made a note of the tags only to find them on the local market the next day…I’m no whistle blower,, but some how have doubts about the current operations going on.

Any feed back as to whether this type of netting is allowed and should I report this to the local authorities.

Thanks.

I'm sure someone versed in the legalities of commercial salmon fishing will be along soon but meantime:---

Was this on a river inland or an estuary you came across this?

When you say you made a note of the tags and found them next day on the local market what do you mean ...I take it you didn't take a note of all 100 tags ? so what was it you found on the market /what kind of market ...fish market? ?

__________________
Previously known as molley
and
Don't call me "mate" .

This might help answer some of your question.

Wednesday, 28 January 2009
IMMEDIATE BAN ON SALES OF ROD-CAUGHT SALMON AND SEATROUT: OBLIGATORY TAGGING OF COMMERCIALLY CAUGHT FISH
S&TA hails breakthrough in salmon conservation
Anglers will no longer be able to sell salmon or sea trout caught on rod and line, and all commercially caught fish will have to be tagged by netsmen to make them legally saleable. The new Environment Agency byelaw for England and Wales becomes active on January 31st.

This legislation brings England and Wales in line with Scottish law, which banned the sale of rod caught salmon and sea trout in 2007. However, the carcass tagging of commercially caught fish is a step further than Scotland, and mirrors the successful initiative run for several years in Ireland.

Paul Knight, Chief Executive of the Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA), said; “This is the culmination of many years of lobbying by S&TA and colleagues, and is great news for salmon conservation and the enforcement of anti-poaching laws. Most anglers act responsibly by keeping the odd fish for the pot – the majority of rod caught salmon are now released alive back into the water – but a minority have always sold their fish for profit and, as a result, have had a significant impact on some local river stocks, jeopardising management and conservation measures by fishery managers. It will now be very much harder to so sell fish ‘under the counter’, because hotels, restaurants and fishmongers will be prosecuted if the salmon and sea trout in their possession is not properly tagged.”


Knight adds; “The EA and Defra should be congratulated for taking this action, which has been possible as a byelaw under the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975. It is a welcome step towards more efficient enforcement of illegally caught salmon and sea trout, as effort can now be put into monitoring markets rather than having to spend so much time catching poachers in the act of taking fish – a notoriously difficult and resource sapping exercise.”


The ban of the sale of rod caught fish and carcass tagging were major recommendations following the review of fisheries legislation by the Warren Committee in 2000. The Review Group’s work was shadowed by the Moran Committee, a coalition of leading English and Welsh fisheries and angling organisations chaired by Lord Moran, Chairman of S&TA at the time. S&TA took a lead role in giving evidence to the Warren Committee over salmon and sea trout issues, and has since kept up pressure for action on these vital issues.


S&TA Chairman, James Carr, says, “This is an excellent example of why S&TA received charitable status for its fisheries, environmental and educational work. We have lobbied for anglers to be banned from selling salmon and sea trout in the greater interest of salmon conservation, and the vast majority of fellow anglers agree with our stance. We can still enjoy our sport while contributing hugely to the social, economic and environmental benefits derived by communities from angling and fisheries management - angling truly working for the public benefit”

Alan and more