Fishing with nature

These guidlines are intended to help you reduce any impact your angling activities may have on marine wildlife and habitats.

This will help to conserve the health of our coast and preserve the good image of angling.

When close to a house or garden, keep a sensible distance from the house, use a path or track if there is one.
Do not block access points for landowners, farmers and emergency vehicles.
Launching of boats should be from an approved location.

Respect wildlife and historic sites.
Do not disturb wildlife.
Respect the rules and bye-laws of nature conservation sites.
Take your litter home with you.
Return all under size fish alive to the sea and abide by the minimum landing sizes.
Always report anything unusual e.g. pollution or items washed ashore, to SEPA. (Tel: 0800 807060).

When digging bait always back-fill holes for safety and to maintain intertidal habitats. Observelocal bye-lawsand regulations on the use of the coast and access to permanently and seasonally closed areas.
Do not dig within the vicinity of conservation areas or moorings and slipways.
Gather only what you need for a planned fishing trip.
When collecting peeler (soft-shelled) crabs always carefully return rocks and weed to their original positions.
Do not take berried (egg carrying) crabs.
When fishing for mackerel or other bait fish,remember to abide by minimum size limits.
If you prefer to buy bait from a supplier, use a species that is native to Britain.

To reduce tackle loss, helping the environment and your pocket.

Rigs can be set up so that a snagged weight will be discarded when pressure is applied via the main line, and thus enabling the whole line to be retrieved.
Snood (hook) lengths should always be of a lower breaking strain than the main line.
Use the appropriate breaking strain line for the ground you are fishing.
Do not use stainless steel hooks and consider using barbless hooks.
Check the condition of your line regularly. Replace if old or damaged. Dispose of old line sensibly. Burn it or cut into short lengths.

The following pointers will help ensure your catch is returned to the sea in a healthy condition.

Where possible and where safe to do so, release your fish while it is still in the water.
If you have to bring the fish ashore or onboard to unhook it, try to use a net (never gaff a fish you intend to release), handle firmly to prevent dropping or injury.
Never hold a fish under the gill covers if it is to be returned.
If you want to release all your fish, try using barbless or circle hooks.
If you catch a tagged fish, send the complete tag and details od the species, length of the fish, location and time of capture to the address shown on the tag.
There is a special code of practice for tope handling - www.save-our-sharks.org