These Regulations amend the Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulations 2016 (“the principal Regulations”) which make provision to regulate the killing of salmon in specified areas.

Regulation 2(2) amends regulation 3 of the principal Regulations. Regulation 2(2)(a) provides that the prohibition on retaining salmon caught in any inland waters is subject to paragraphs (2A) and (3). Regulation 2(2)(b) inserts a new paragraph (2A) into the principal Regulations which provides that the prohibition on retaining salmon caught in inland waters does not apply to any salmon caught on or after 1st July 2017 in the River Ness and all inland waters which drain, or drain to some extent, to the outflow point, but excluding the River Moriston and all areas of inland waters which drain, or drain to some extent, to the outflow point on the north shore of Loch Ness at Invermoriston.

Regulation 2(3) and (4) substitutes schedules 1 and 2 of the principal Regulations. Schedule 1 describes the areas in which Scottish Ministers must carry out, or arrange for the carrying out of, an assessment of the conservation status of salmon. Schedule 2 describes the areas of inland waters where there is a prohibition on the retention of any salmon caught.

A Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment in relation to this Order has been prepared and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Copies of it can be obtained from Marine Scotland, Victoria Quay, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ and online at www.legislation.gov.uk.