§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to restructure the district salmon fishery boards; and if he will make a statement. [87691]
§ Mr. MacdonaldThe District Salmon Fishery Boards Order 1999 came into effect on 3 May. It replaced the previous provisions of Schedule 2 of the Salmon Act 1986 on the composition of district salmon fishery boards, allowing boards greater freedom to determine optimum size and structure for themselves. The Order will facilitate mergers of boards, through offering the scope for pooling resources and promoting more science-based fisheries management in line with the Report of the Scottish Salmon Strategy Task Force. A number of boards have already elected to take advantage of the new Order and this is reflected in the Lochaber Salmon Fishery District Designation Order 1999, the Conon Salmon Fishery District Designation Order 1999 and the North and West Salmon Fishery District Designation Order 1999.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.