Memorandum submitted by the Atlantic Salmon
Trust
1. Established in 1967. The Atlantic Salmon
Trust is a UK-wide organisation which champions the wild salmon
and sea trout. It does not represent any other interests or body,
only the fish themselves. It:
(a) Works for the conservation and improvement
of wild salmon and sea trout stocks to a level which allows sustainable
exploitation.
(b) Conducts and supports marine and freshwater
research.
(c) Gives practical advice on the management
of fisheries and rivers.
(d) Gives independent research based advice
to governments, international and national authorities and to
commercial enterprises.
(e) Coordinates activities with other conservation,
environmental, fishery, heritage and wildlife agencies and organisations.
(f) Holds and supports seminars and workshops
to investigate specific issues.
(g) Publishes high quality reports and booklets
to inform and educate the public.
2. Thank you for allowing The Atlantic Salmon
Trust to comment on the consultation draft.
3. We would commend to the Committee the
need to reflect angling and fisheries issues by means of clear
and concise wording within the Bill. The current imprecise drafting
and lack of definition will inevitably create confusion and uncertainty.
4. Whilst we understand that the Government
has stated that the proposed legislation will not apply to fishing,
this exemption must be made absolutely clear in the final version
of the Animal Welfare Bill if the Government's commitment to enhance
and protect fishing is to be justified. The Bill must include
a clearly stated exemption along the lines of: "Nothing in
this Act applies to recreational and commercial fishing or marine
and freshwater fisheries." Without a precise statement on
these lines we believe that there would be a real need for copious
notes and explanations emphasising the exclusion of fishing and
fisheries on almost every page. Two examples to illustrate the
potential for this to happen are given below:
(a) The term "kept animal" could
mean fish at the point of capture or fish held in keep nets, albeit
on a temporary basis. It could also cover those fish which are
"kept" in lakes and reservoirs and are the property
of the riparian owner or lessee.
(b) A fish, once on the end of a line, could
be deemed to be a "protected animal" and thus be covered
by Clause 1. In addition the definition of "keeper"
at 1(10)—which includes being "in charge of" an
animal, could apply to a fisherman with a fish on the end of his
line.
5. Finally, we would remind you that The
Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act already provides for the welfare
of fish.
1 September 2004
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