TROUT FISHING ANNUAL CLOSE TIME (SCOTLAND) BILL. (Hansard, 18 April 1899)

§ * THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Lord BALFOUR of BURLEIGH)

My Lords, the object of the Bill which I rise to ask your Lordships to give a Second Reading is to establish a close time for trout in Scotland, during which time it will not be legal to fish for, or take trout in any river, lake, or loch in Scotland by net, rod, or line, or to have possession of such trout, or expose them for sale. The period which we propose is to begin on the 15th of October, and to end on the 28th February. It is, of course, in such a matter as this, difficult to suit the circumstances of every locality, or to be sure that one is in accord with the opinion of everyone who is interested in the matter. Some would, no doubt, prefer a longer close time, and 1432 some few possibly desire that the close time should be for a shorter period. The period which we propose in this Bill has been arrived at and decided after a good deal of consultation and conference with many of those who are interested, and, upon the whole, I believe it is a period which will suit most districts and be in accord with the great majority of opinion of those concerned. I do not think that anyone will seriously take exception to the date at which the close time is proposed to end, because I cannot conceive of anyone desiring to fish for, or catch trout before the 1st of March. It is, of course, impossible that the close time for trout can be made to accord with that for salmon, because, owing to the migratory habits of the latter fish, it would not be possible to have a similar time for all the rivers or districts in Scotland. As to the date on which we propose that the close time should commence, I am quite aware that many interested in the subject would like, to see it fixed for an earlier period, but I suggest 15th October from a desire to go upon the principle of not asking too much in the hope that what I believe to be a very much needed change in the law will pass without opposition. I believe there is a great need for such a close time in Scotland, and there is a general desire for it among all who are interested. There is, I think, no doubt whatever that trout are diminishing in number in all the accessible parts of Scotland on account of the great amount of fishing which goes on. Trout are undoubtedly of some value as food, but it is in the other aspect that I think they are even more valuable —namely, as a fish which gives an immense amount of sport and innocent recreation to a very large number of the population. In Scotland pike and other coarse fish are hardly worth considering, because they scarcely exist in such numbers as to provide sport. But I think it will be within the knowledge of those of your Lordships who are familiar with Scotland, that trout fishing is perhaps the most popular recreation of a sporting kind in? Scotland, and it appeals without exception to all classes. I maintain that taking trout during the period which I have named is a wasteful, foolish, and senseless proceeding. During that time they are absolutely useless for food, and practically give little or no amusement to 1433 those who catch them. But in the case of those rivers and streams which are accessible, large numbers of people take advantage of their remaining open, and thus selfish persons, though few in proportion to the total number of anglers, do a great deal of harm to the sport of those who only fish for trout during the proper time. There is no sort of intention by this Bill to limit the proper facilities which those who like the sport can have for enjoying it. It is introduced rather for the purpose of protecting trout for the greater number, and it would thus give greater enjoyment. In England there is, in almost every fishing district, a close time for trout, and the only wonder that I have is that more persistent efforts have not been made to secure this reform in Scotland; it has been agitated for several years; a great majority of the county councils have pronounced in favour of the proposals; the angling associations are practically unanimous in support of the Bill, and I believe that all my predecessors in office have expressed themselves in favour of such a change, which has also the support of the Fishery Board of Scotland. I place this Bill before your Lordships with every confidence that it will be read a second time.