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Technical Report: The Economic Impact of Game and Coarse Fishing in Scotland

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Technical Report: The Economic Impact of Game and Coarse Fishing in Scotland

Section 2 Research Methods
2.0 Introduction

The overall research effort involved a range of approaches.

a) Qualitative research involving a critical evaluation of the literature and discussions with the various stakeholder groups

b) A survey of owners that sought to construct a database of every fishery in Scotland, containing information on:

  • The number of angler days in a typical season

  • Breakdown of these angler days by the origins of anglers using the fishery.

A variety of instruments were employed in constructing this database, including telephone interviews, personal visits, expert interviews, self-completion questionnaires distributed by the consultants and by organisations representing fishery owners. There was also some use of available secondary data for the Borders and the Western Isles. Section 2.1 details the process of developing the fishery database, establishing contacts and generating primary data.

c) A survey of anglers that sought to estimate:

  • The average expenditure per angler day for each of the 28 region/fishery combinations

  • The estimated expenditure displaced as anglers pursue substitute activity if a particular choice' region/fishery combination were not available.

  • Details of angler catches

The survey of anglers used a variety of instruments including face-to-face interviews conducted at fisheries, self-completion questionnaires distributed by post and made available on-site at fisheries. In addition, an electronic questionnaire was placed on the University web site, to which hot links were established on national and international angling web sites. The surveys and validation are discussed in Section 2.2. The process of estimating catch and assessing bias is discussed in Section 2.3, while Section 2.4 outlines the methods used to estimate the expenditure displacement effects

d) Construction of economic models specific to each of the seven regional economies that enabled the consultants to trace through the impact of angler expenditure on regional incomes and employment. These models were based on input-output and trade tables specific to each region. These highly sophisticated models allowed an extensive range of indicators to be generated for each of the region/fishery combinations. Section 2, 5 outlines the process of developing these models

2.1 The Survey of Fishery Providers

2.1.0 Introduction

The Owners' Survey is of pivotal importance and had the following objectives:

  • To provide estimates of angler days for each of the specified combinations of regions and fishery types.

  • For each of the combinations, to provide estimates of the proportion of anglers who are respectively local, visitors from within Scotland and non-Scottish visitors.

Other than angler days, it was not possible to envisage any other factor that could be used to scale expenditure statistics. We considered and dismissed, variously; anglers, angler trips, salmon catches, acreage of surface water, length of bank 11. Moreover, other than owners, we could not identify any other sources or respondent that could provide this information. Moreover, owners are the respondents who are best placed to identify the origins of their anglers.

The first task was to establish a comprehensive inventory of all fisheries by principal type (salmon & sea trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, coarse fisheries). This inventory was broken down into seven geographical regions and was compiled from a variety of secondary sources (general and specific angling guides to Scotland, specialist Web sites, etc). Using a combination of survey instruments we sought to contact every one of the proprietors or groups of proprietors 12 in the compendium. Details of the number of owners contacted and the instrument used are discussed in Section 2.3.

2.1.1 Objectives of Owner Survey

The aspiration was to obtain data from every freshwater fishery in Scotland, be it an expensive salmon beat on the Spey, a commercially run rainbow trout fishery in the North East or a small coarse fishing pond in Dumfries and Galloway. Consequently, the survey of owners did not involve any explicit sampling process.

The owner survey involved two distinct yet overlapping phases; construction in the form of a database of a full inventory of all freshwater fisheries in Scotland with appropriate contact details and a systematic process of data collection. In practice, it is not possible to generate data from every fishery. Reasons for this include:

  • Fisheries were overlooked in database construction;

  • No contact details available;

  • Available contact details were inaccurate;

  • Contact could not be established, either by phone, mail or personal visit; and

  • Contact was established but there was a refusal to respond.

Also, we sought where possible to use, amend or update previous studies. As discussed in Section 1, in the case of salmon and sea trout in the Borders extensive work had been undertaken by Deloitte and Touché and in the Western Isles on game fishing by FRM. These studies were utilised as appropriate. The extent of our coverage of each fishery type and the scaling for non-response response is discussed below.

2.1.2 The Inventory of Fisheries

It is relatively easy to identify and contact owners of some fisheries. Problems can arise however when in seeking to scale these observations to produce estimates of, say, the total angler days in a region. However, in the case of salmon and sea trout angling, this is not a problem. There is systematic collection of catch statistics, and if one can estimate the relationship between angler effort (days) and catch, we have a basis for scaling observations for non-response. For rainbow trout, brown trout and coarse fisheries, there is no obvious scaling factor. For these fisheries, the inventory of fisheries is a necessary condition for judging the coverage of the data generation exercise and thus to provide a basis for scaling observations. As discussed below, in the case of salmon fisheries, some District Salmon Fishery Boards assisted with the dissemination of questionnaires or provided contact details for river catchments. Given this, and the existence of a scaling factor for salmon and sea trout, the inventory was restricted to brown trout, rainbow trout and coarse fishing.

There are many secondary sources that provide descriptive information about Scotland's freshwater fisheries. The most comprehensive and reliable source was Sandison (1997) this is an important and extensive outline of Scotland freshwater fisheries. Other publications and information from angling web sites were similarly useful 13

At some locations, anglers fish for a number of species. An example is Loch Lomond, which has salmon & sea trout, brown trout and & coarse fishing. In these cases, the Loch was entered under each species heading as a separate entry. Excluding all salmon and sea trout fisheries (and coarse and, brown trout, that occur on riverine salmon and sea trout fisheries) the database had a total of 2,830 entries. Of these, contact details were unavailable for 188, most of which were brown trout fisheries in the highlands

2.1.3 Data Collection Process

The original intention was to conduct a telephone survey of owners, where necessary supplementing this with postal questionnaires if telephone contact could not be established. The pilot survey in the form of a scripted telephone interview conducted in early October confirmed that owners were willing to reveal the required information. Unfortunately, in December as the full telephone survey rolled out, increasing resistance was encountered. It became clear that the core problem was the 'cold calling' dimension and it was necessary to make potential respondents aware of the study's aims. The telephone survey was therefore suspended and time was devoted to giving presentations at various meetings of angler and proprietors' organizations. We also wrote to editors of national newspapers and specialist angling press, receiving extensive and very supportive commentary. Through this process, owners, managers, tenants became more receptive to this work.

At the same time, many representative organisations offered assistance with various aspects of data collection. A much more pragmatic approach could therefore be adopted. Some organisations provided contact details or mailed postal questionnaires on our behalf. In other instances, owners were contacted via telephone or personal visit. In others, local knowledge was used to provide the required information on angler days and origins. This assistance not only influenced data collection processes but also the compilation of the inventory of fisheries (in particular there was no requirement to include salmon and sea trout in the database). The approach adopted for each species types as well as the coverage and scaling processes are discussed in the following sections.

2.1.4 Salmon and Sea Trout Fisheries

2.1.4.1 Structure of Survey

For the purpose of salmon fishery management, Scotland is divided into 66 statutory salmon fishery districts. The Districts comprise the natural catchment areas of a specific river or group of rivers. Currently District Salmon Fishery Boards (DSFB's) are constituted for 48 of these districts. The DSFB's finance their work by levying a rate, often a substantial rate, on the salmon fishery owners in the district. In Scotland, through the DSFB's, the cost of the local administration, protection and improvement of the fisheries is financed by those owners. If there are only one or two proprietors in a catchment normally a DSFB board will not be formed. Salmon and sea trout catches are reported in 62 statistical districts, which in some cases are synonymous with the districts and DSFB (if formed) whilst in others the smaller districts are grouped to form statistical districts 14.

The Association of Salmon Fishery Boards (ASFB) offered to write to every DSFB, asking them if they had available or would be able to collect data on the number of angler days. All of the Boards, who responded, were willing to help with the collection of data. We then began the process of contacting all individual Boards (including those who did not respond to ASFB). The process of estimating angler days (and origins) varied between Boards. There were 9 basic approaches. A formal owner questionnaire ( see appendix (3 ) was used in approaches (1), (2), (3), (4), (7).

1) The agent of the Board (clerk, chair, river manager) provided a return as if the river were one fishery. Where there are relatively few proprietors, the agent was able to phone around and assemble a return. In some cases, the agent undertook an assessment of beats/rods and occupancy levels to establish an estimate of angler days and origins.

  • Luce, Fleet and Dee (both in Dumfries and Galloway) Ugie, Ythan, Lossie, Beauly, Brora, Helmsdale, Halladale, Naver and Borgie, Kinloch, Arran, Eachaig

2) Boards provided the study team with names and addresses of proprietors and we mailed questionnaires tailored to the District.

  • Bladnoch, Cree, Girvan, Doon, Stinchar, Findhorn, Deveron, Kyle of Sutherland, Ewe, Gruinard

3) Boards mailed questionnaires on our behalf (with the replies being returned directly to Glasgow).

  • Forth, Ayr, Don, Aberdeenshire Dee, North Esk, South Esk, Spey, Nairn, Ness, Conon, Caithness, Broom, Carron, Lochaber, Skye, Awe, Loch Fyne, Laggan and Sorn.

4) Boards mailed questionnaire, collated responses and forwarded returns or a response to Glasgow Caledonian

  • Annan, North and West

5) An elite structured interview was conducted

  • Clyde and Leven

6) The study team obtained contact details and telephoned owners

  • Nith and Urr

7) Boards mailed questionnaires and collated the returns and scaled for non-response

  • Tay

8) Secondary data from previous studies were updated and extended.

  • Tweed

9) Secondary data from a previous study was re-worked to conform to our data requirements

  • Western Isles

2.1.4.2 Scaling for Non-Response

The Fisheries Research Service (FRS) obtains catch returns from proprietors in response to an annual questionnaire sent to proprietors under the provision of section 15 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Protection) (Scotland) Act 1951 as amended by the Salmon Act 1986. In 2001, 1914 forms were sent, of which 96% were returned. FRS makes no attempt to correct for non-returns or gaps in the register of proprietors. The catch returns are collected on a confidential basis and the catches of individual ownerships are not revealed to the DSFB's. Our operating hypothesis was that the relationship between fishing effort (angler days) and catch is likely to be similar on different sections of the same river system. Provided a valid catch rate can be calculated for the salmon and sea trout fisheries that respond, non-response can be scaled using the FRS statistics. Consequently, total angler day as reported by proprietors is multiplied by the ratio of the catch of those fisheries responding to the river's total catch. This procedure requires that we collate and scale data according to the FRS statistical districts or grouping of districts. (See Table 2.1.4.2.1, below)

Table 2.1.4.2.1 Study Regions and Districts and FRS Fishery Districts

Study Region

Study District/Statistical Area

FRS Fishery District

Dumfries & Galloway

Luce

Luce

Bladnoch

Bladnoch

Cree & Fleet

Cree and Fleet

Dee

Dee

Urr

Urr

Nith

Nith

Annan

Annan

Highland

Spey

Spey

Findhorn

Findhorn

Lossie

Lossie

Nairn

Nairn

Ness

Ness

Beauly

Beauly

Conon And Alness

Conon and Alness

Kyle of Sutherland

Kyle of Sutherland

Fleet & Brora

Fleet & Brora

Helmsdale

Helmsdale

Berriadale to Wick

Berriadale to Wick

Thurso & Forrres

Thurso & Forrres

Hallidale & Strathy

Hallidale & Strathy

Naver & Kinloch

Naver & Kinloch

Hope & Grudie plus Inchard to Kirkaig

North and West

Kennart to Gruinard plus Ewe

Kannaird, Ullapool, Broom, Little Loch Broom, Gruinard, Ewe

Badachro to Applecross

Badachro, Torridon, Balgy, Applecross

Kishorn to Carron

Kishorn and Carron

Loch Long & Crow

Crowe and Shiel and Loch Long

Glenelg to Kilchoan, Morar to Shiel, Sunart & Aleen Sanda to Creran

Glenleg, Armisdale, Creran, Lochaber

Skye and Small Isles

Skye

Awe & Nell

Awe and Nell

Add & Ormsary plus Loch Fyne

Ormsary, Add, Loch Fyne

Mull

Pennygowan, Lussa, Baa

Islay & Jura

Laggan and Sorn, Inner Jura

Carradale & Iorsa

Arran and Carradale

Ruel & Drumachloy

Ruel & Drumachloy

Echaig

Echaig

Central

Clyde

Clyde and Leven

Irvine

Irvine

Ayr

Ayr

Doon

Doon

Girvan

Girvan

Stinchar

Stinchar

Forth

Forth

Borders

Tweed

Tweed

Orkney & Shetland

Orkney & Shetland

Orkney plus Shetland

Western Isles

Western Isles

Outer Hebridies

North East

Tay

Tay

Dee

Dee

Don

Don

Ythan

Ythan

Ugie

Ugie

South Esk

South Esk

North Esk & Bervie

North Esk & Bervie

Deveron

Deveron

Of the 53 study districts there were six where insufficient data were obtained. In the case of three Badachro to Applecross; Loch Long and Crow; and Mull an average was taken of the catch per unit of effort (c.p.u.e) across the area. Specifically, the salmon and sea trout catch per day on the west coast from Kirkaig to the Eachaig was calculated ((0.20) salmon and sea trout per day). This was then used to calculate angler days based on recorded DFS catch statistics. It was also assumed that angler origins in these districts would be similar to those observed in the West Highland area from Kirkaig to the Eachaig. The same process was adopted for the Irvine, Girvan and Stinchar with observation on rivers in Ayrshire being used to calculate the catch per day (0.28). It was assumed that angler origins in these districts would be similar to those observed on other Ayrshire rivers.

2.1.4.3 Response Rates

In essence, survey data were collected and scaled to produce regional estimates for Dumfries and Galloway, Highland Region, North East and Central. Because of the enormous variability in the ownership of catchments, it would be wrong to scale angler days on the basis of the percentage of owners not responding. In some catchments, 5% of the proprietors own 90% of the river. If only the 5% who control 90% of the rod days respond, a serious error would result if angler days were scaled on the basis of proprietorial non-response. On the other hand, if only the small ownerships respond we would underestimate angler days. In addition the surveys were not seeking information on owners; the aim was an enumeration of angler days.

Given this, and the existence of a relationship between angler days and catch, the response rate is best measured as the percentage of the recorded catch captured by the data generation process. On this basis the response rates were:

Table 2.1.4.3.1 Regional Response Rates for Salmon Fisheries

Dumfries and Galloway

39%

Highland Region

38%

North East

52%

Central

8%

In the other regions, the process of estimating salmon and sea trout angler days was a mix of published information, local communication and comparison.

2.1.4.4 Orkney and Shetland

The FRS statistics report a negligible catch of salmon and a small sea trout catch. We scaled the sea trout catch using the c.p.u.e catch for all Scotland. On the advice of local anglers in the analysis this was subsumed within the wild (brown) trout totals.

2.1.4.5 Borders

As outlined in Section 1, Deloitte and Touché estimated there were 36,036 angler days by visitors staying overnight, and this was consistent with an analysis of the room stock in the area. Based on interviews with proprietors they estimated a further 5,400 salmon rod days would be taken by day fishers. This suggests a total of around 41,500 salmon and sea trout angler days.

In that study a bottom up analysis of beats and occupancy levels conducted in cooperation with James Leeming, the main Tweed letting agent suggested 39,500 salmon and sea trout rod days in 1996. Fortunately Mr Leeming has maintained an extensive database on the Tweed beats he manages. Since 1996, for a variety of reasons there would appear to be a 10% increase in the number of anglers paying for fishing. Some of this is due to an increase in occupancy levels, which is an increase in the number of angler days. There seems also to be a reduction of the amount of fishing being retained by owners for themselves and guests. This is a change in the type of angler and will produce an increase in the average expenditure per day on permits; but not necessarily an increase in angler days.

On the basis of this information it was estimated that Border salmon and sea trout angler days would have increased to around 43,000 over the period. The Deloitte and Touché study did not provide details on the origins of anglers at the level required. Using postcodes supplied by the study team Mr Leeming, interrogated his database and provided a breakdown of anglers by origins:

Table 2.1.4.5.1 Angler Origins for Dumfries and Galloway

Region of Origin

Percentage

Dumfries and Galloway

0.1%

Borders

5.0%

Orkney and Shetland

0.0%

Western Isles

0.2%

North East

1.7%

Highlands

1.3%

Central Scotland

9.1%

North of England

22.5%

Rest of UK

58.6%

International

1.5%

2.1.4.6 Western Isles

As outlined in Section 1, the initial intention was to use this study's estimates of angler days and origins; however, we found it difficult to reconcile the angler day's estimates of this study. The Western Isles report contained much valuable information which has been adjusted. The following describes how this was achieved in order to estimate the economic contribution of freshwater angling to the Western Isles.

Origin of Anglers

Manipulation of table 4.1.6 (p28) in the FRM study reveals the following origin distributions for 440 sampled game anglers. The data does not distinguish between salmon and sea trout and brown trout anglers.

Table 2.1.4.6.1 Western Isles (W.I.) Game Angler Origins

Country

Country

Aust

2

NI

1

Eire

1

Scotland

212

Eng

186

USA

13

France

4

Wales

8

Germany

2

Other

11

Total

439

Regrouping and scaling to the total population of 7,500 produces the following table:

Table 2.1.4.6.2 W.I. Visitor Game Angler Origins by Study Regions

Region

Region

Scottish Visitors

3625

Ireland

30

English

3176

Mainland Euro /Australia

313

Rest UK

142

North AM

214

Total

7500

The 6942 UK resident visitors were distributed according to the percentages provided by table 4.1.7

Table 2.1.4.6.3 W.I. Visitor Game Angler Origins by Study UK Regions

Region

%

Anglers

Region

%

Anglers

SW England

10%

701

SW Scotland

4%

280

SE England

15%

1052

Highland Islands

2%

140

Midlands

8%

561

NW Scotland

2%

140

NE Eng

9%

631

NE Scotland

3%

210

NW Eng

4%

280

E Scotland

1%

70

Highlands

17%

1192

Borders

1%

70

Central

21%

1473

Wales

2%

140

These data relate only to visitor anglers and it is necessary to add the 4285 resident game anglers and to convert these to percentages of angler days. Finally we have assumed that resident game anglers make 4 times as many trips as visitors.

Table 2.1.4.6.4 W.I. Game Angler Origins by Study Regions

Region

% of Total Angler days

Region

% of Scottish Angler Days

Scotland

84.0%

D&G

1%

N England

3.7%

Borders

0%

Ireland

0.1%

Orkney & Shetland

0%

Rest UK

10.0%

Western Isles

83%

Europe

1.3%

N East

1%

North Am.

0.9%

Highlands

7%

Total

100.00%

Central

7%

Total

100%

Number of Angler Days

As discussed in Section 1, the FRM angler/visitor data implied about 60,000 brown trout angler days and 48,600 salmon and sea trout angler days. For reference the expenditure associated with these figures is shown in Section 3.

We could not reconcile this with the DAFS Western Isles estimate of 3200 salmon and sea trout angler days and the Mackay estimate of 2400 salmon for Lewis and Harris. In addition, as will be clear in section 3, these figures appear to be wholly unrealistic when compared to areas like Orkney and Shetland and the Highlands.

Similarly, the FRM own survey of owners estimated 4,620 rod days. The official salmon and sea trout catch for the Western Isles for 1998 was 2,797 fish. This implies total salmon and sea trout angler days only 5,000 day - given the FRM stated catch of 0.56 salmon and sea trout per day. Further the study's survey of owners suggests a total catch of 3,563 salmon and sea trout, this would produce 6,400 days when combined with the catch per day of 0.56.

Using all the information available to us on visitors numbers, percentage fishing, comparative catch per day figures and all the other studies, we estimate the total number of salmon and sea trout angler days in the Western Isles to be 10,796 and brown trout angler days to be 12,701. The distribution of those angler days is assumed to follow the FRM study. We are conscious that these exceed the DAFS and Mackay studies but in part this reflects the recognition in the FRM study of high levels of local fishing.

2.1.4.7 Brown trout, coarse and pike fisheries on salmon rivers.

Estimation of riverine fisheries piggy-backed on the estimation of salmon anger days. Questionnaires were distributed to proprietors on the following river catchments Bladnoch, Cree, Girvan, Doon, Stinchar, Findhorn, Deveron, Kyle of Sutherland, Ewe, Gruinard Forth, Ayr, Don, Aberdeenshire Dee, North Esk, South Esk, Spey, Nairn, Ness, Conon, Caithness, Broom, Carron, Lochaber, Skye, Awe, Loch Fyne, Laggan and Sorn. These questionnaires included questions about the number of brown trout, pike, rainbow trout and coarse days.

The proportion of the official catch of salmon captured in the responses provided a scaling factor for salmon days on each of these rivers. If the data generation process only counted, say, an estimated 50% of salmon and sea trout angler days it is reasonable to assume that other angler days need to be scaled in the same proportion .

On the following rivers, the agent of the DSFB provided information on other angling: Luce, Fleet and Dee (Kikcudbright), Ugie, Ythan, Lossie, Beauly, Brora, Helmsdale, Halladale, Navar and Borgie, Kinloch, Arran.

An elite interview was conducted for Clyde and Leven . For the Tay , the agent of the DSFB provided a scaled estimate. For the Western Isles, secondary data from the FRM study was re-worked. Trout and coarse fish information was also supplemented by estimates provided by angling clubs, associations, hotels and estates, particularly on the Tweed. Details of individual riverine fisheries from different sources were checked to eliminate double counting

2.1.5 Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Coarse Fisheries

2.1.5.1 Description of Data Base

The database of fisheries was largely composed of brown trout, rainbow trout and coarse fisheries in still-waters, and rivers that do not support salmon and sea trout populations.

There is no obvious factor with which to scale observations on angler days collected from proprietors for these waters, since they vary dramatically even within a local area. Thus it was necessary to achieve as complete a census as possible. As a result, the final data base contained 2,830 entries or waters, with some form of contact for 2,642 of these. Within this list, it needs to be appreciated that an individual estate may own 30-60 named lochs, or an angling club may lease five lochs, whereas a commercial operator may just have a single put and take fishery. However the put and take may have 20 times more angler days than the estate with 60 lochs. Given this diversity it was necessary to use a variety of survey instruments to carry out the census.

2.1.5.2 Mixed Fishing

Some water bodies occur more than once in the database for example as both a rainbow trout and coarse fishery. These mixed fisheries present a difficulty, since some estimates of anglers days related to multiple forms of angling. It was also necessary to estimate the number of angler days for each type of fishing for mixed fisheries for which we had no observations. In both these circumstance we employed the following rules of thumb.

  • For angling club waters which hold Browns & Rainbows, unless we knew otherwise, 60% of the days went to brown trout with the remaining 40% going to Rainbow trout days

  • For angling club waters with Browns, Rainbows & Coarse Fish, 50% of the days went to brown trout, 30% went to rainbows and 20% to coarse fish.

  • For angling club waters with only Browns & Coarse, 80% was allocated to brown trout fishing, 20% to coarse.

  • For commercial fisheries with all three species, 80% of days were allocated to rainbows, with 10% to browns and 10% to coarse.

  • For commercial fisheries with Browns & Rainbows only, 80% was applied to rainbows, 20% to Browns.

  • For commercial fisheries which stocked only rainbows & Coarse, 85% of the days were applied to rainbows, with the remaining 15% applied to Coarse Fishing.

The range of survey instruments employed to generate data across the various segments of brown trout, rainbow trout and coarse fisheries in the database is described below.

2.1.5.3 Angling Club Waters

There are approximately 400 or so angling clubs in Scotland, however many of these are travelling clubs which do not own or lease their own water. Clubs and associations owning or controlling waters were identified. If a club controlled one or two waters, club secretaries were telephoned normally in the evenings or at weekends. If they controlled a large number of waters, a questionnaire was mailed to club secretaries ( see Appendix 4). If there was a non-response we followed up with a telephone enquiry. If that was unsuccessful angler days were estimated based on number of angler days typically encountered for that the size and type of club water in the region.

2.1.5.4 Commercial Stillwater Trout Fisheries

Most of the 'commercial' put and take fisheries in Scotland are concentrated in the North East and Central Scotland, probably due to the population densities in these areas. Rainbow trout is not the only species of freshwater fish that some of these fisheries stock, with widespread reports of stocking blue trout, golden trout, brook trout and other species. However when questioned, most fisheries stated that Rainbows were predominant.

The parent association for these types of fisheries is the Association of Scottish Stillwater Fisheries (ASSF). The ASSF were very helpful and provided contact details of its 50 or so members and a postal questionnaire was forwarded. (See Appendix 5). There are however many more not connected to this organisation. These other fisheries were contacted by telephone. Estimates were received from 108 of this type of fishery.

For known commercial fisheries who were unable to provide estimates or who were unable to be contacted, estimates were generated using the average number of days from our known sample of commercial fisheries in that particular region.

2.1.5.5 Coverage of Rainbow Trout Fisheries

Walker (2002) 15 produced a list of 287 waters which were stocked with rainbow trout. Unfortunately, no further information was supplied, apart from the northings and easting. Crucially, there were no contact details for possible estimates.

Combining the survey estimates from clubs, commercial operators and other sources data were obtained on 223 rainbow trout fisheries, giving coverage of 77%. The remainder are believed to be very minor fisheries with a minimal number of angler days.

2.1.5.6 Scottish Water Lochs & Reservoirs

Scottish Water own 60 lochs/reservoirs throughout Scotland. The fishing is run by Scottish Water on about 10 of these waters, the remainder being leased out to angling clubs. Scottish Water was very helpful in providing permit sales figures and contact details to obtain estimates from the tenants. It was not possible to contact all of the tenants concerned. Where a non-response was encountered, estimates were generated using the average number of days from our known sample of this type in that region.

2.1.5.7 Estate Waters

There is a great deal of brown trout fishing to be found on estates throughout Scotland, especially in the Highlands. Using the internet 16 and other sources, 48 estates with this type of fishing were identified and contact was attempted. In total, 25 estates with known brown trout fishing provided estimates, with the remainder (those unwilling to participate or those who were not contacted) being estimated on the basis of the number of angler days typically encountered for that the size and type of water in the region.

2.1.5.8 Hotel Waters

There are a number of hotels throughout Scotland who provide permit sales for various types of fishing (mainly brown trout). Some hotels are built around the theme of angling and cater specifically for anglers and there are others that simply sell permits. Again these hotels are mainly situated in the highlands, with a couple in Dumfries & Galloway. Again, where it was impossible to obtain an estimate, the mean number of days for comparable hotels in that region was estimated.

2.1.5.9 Coarse Fisheries

Coarse fishing is the least regulated type of freshwater fishing in Scotland and is the most difficult to associate with identified suppliers. In the past many owners saw the coarse fish mainly as a predator which adversely affected salmon and trout stocks. In recent years however, attitudes towards coarse angling by the owners has changed and coarse angling in Scotland has become more commonplace. A recent addition has been Scotland first 'Coarse only' commercial fishery - Magiscroft in Condorrat. In England and Wales, coarse fishing in rivers is not allowed between 15 March and 15 June, though there is no close time in still-waters and canals. No such rules apply in Scotland and as a result a number of coarse anglers from England come to Scotland to fish, particularly in Dumfries and Galloway.

The Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling (SFCA) was able to provide contacts for the coarse fisheries. As many of these waters are not actively managed, in many cases it proved necessary to rely on estimates from experienced coarse anglers as to the number of fishing days. Experts, mainly members of the Scottish Pike Anglers Alliance were very helpful in supplying these estimates for each of the regions.

2.1.5.10 Other Lochs & Reservoirs

Some fisheries simply do not fit neatly into any of the above categories. For these fisheries estimates were obtained through tackle shops, informed anglers or the persons supplying the fishing. Where estimates could not be obtained, figures were again scaled up using the average number of days in this category.

2.1.5.11 Coverage of Non Salmon Fisheries

In total 738 responses out of a possible 872 were received from our contact list. This provided estimates of angler days and origins for 1935 fisheries/waters of the 2830 entries in the database (68.4%). To clarify, some contact/responses provided group estimates of waters, this was particularly the case when dealing with clubs and estates. (e.g. Assynt Angling Company supplied one group estimate for 152 waters). It was therefore also necessary for us to derive estimates for the remaining 134 owners (mainly clubs and estates) covering the remaining 895 fisheries who we were unable to contact. The breakdown of estimates by region and fishery type is given below.

Table 2.1.5.11.1 Proportions of Given and Derived Estimates for Non-Salmon Fisheries by Region

Region

Given Estimates

Derived estimates

Total Estimates

% Given

Dumfries and Galloway

141

15

156

91.0%

The Borders

41

9

50

82.0%

Highland

194

55

249

83.1%

North East Scotland

99

37

136

72.8%

Central Scotland

245

34

279

83.1%

Western Isles

2

0

2

100%

Orkney and Shetland

3

1

4

75%

Scotland Total

725

151

876

84.6%

Table 2.1.5.11.2 Proportions of Given and Derived Estimates for Non-Salmon Fisheries by Region and by Fishery Type

Region

Given Estimates

Derived Estimates

Total Estimates

Total

Brown Trout

Rainbow Trout

Coarse Fish

Brown Trout

Rainbow Trout

Coarse Fish

Brown Trout

Rainbow Trout

Coarse Fish

D & G

51

32

58

7

2

6

58

34

64

156

Borders

24

13

4

8

1

0

32

14

4

50

Highlands

135

30

29

35

6

14

170

36

43

249

North East

49

40

10

19

7

11

68

47

21

136

Central

117

84

44

20

7

7

137

91

51

279

Western Isles

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

1

0

2

Ork & Shet.

3

0

0

1

0

0

4

0

0

4

Scotland Total

380

200

145

90

23

38

470

223

183

876

52.3%

27.6%

20.0%

59.9%

15.1%

25.0%

53.7%

25.5%

20.9%

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Page updated: Tuesday, June 28, 2005