A bid to force anglers to release any salmon they catch has been described as “morally repugnant” by one Tay fishing beat owner.
Michael Smith, proprietor of Burnmouth Fishings near Stanley, went as far as saying he would abandon salmon fishing if the measure was made law.
He was speaking after a petition was raised, which will be presented to the Scottish Parliament, calling for catch and release to be made compulsory.
The scheme was drawn up by Jock Monteith, a ghillie on the River Tay who maintains that the “vast majority” of salmon anglers support a ban on keeping fish to improve stock levels.
The petition says between 80,000 and 100,000 salmon are caught annually in Scotland’s rivers, around 25% of which are killed.
Mr Smith of Threapmuir Farm, Cleish, took issue with legally enforceable catch and release and said from his experience all was not “doom and gloom”.
“This year the Tay has had very high water levels from December through to April and predictably only high water beats and Loch Tay have fished well,” he said.
“Taymouth had its best March since records began in 1929, with 70 salmon landed. Burnmouth had its best spring ever, with 127 salmon to date.
“The Catholes/Pitlochrie beats fished well until seals ruined the fishing.
“Many of the medium to low water beats enjoy good sport from May through to autumn. Farleyer, Murthly, Kinnaird and Islamouth are good examples.
“Some folk are for 100% catch and release and their opinions are to be respected. I am not in this camp and think that voluntary release gives ghillies and anglers a degree of versatility.
“At Burnmouth we have released around 80 salmon and have killed 40 or so.
“Some have been seal damaged, others injured… and if a guest really wishes a salmon for smoking or the table, that is fine.
“I would find mandatory catch and release morally repugnant and would cease to fish salmon.”
Mr Smith added that recent steps taken, including the closure of netting stations on the Tay and the banning of the sale of rod-caught salmon, had reduced pressure on stocks.