Angling Scotland Ltd has been working with the Scottish Government, SportScotland and
Marine Scotland to ensure that angling can start again as soon as it is safe to do so. We
offer this advice to anglers and fisheries as best practice. We will continue to work with
the Scottish Government and its agencies as we follow the route map to the new normality.
We rely on the angling community to reflect itself well, to follow the Scottish Government
guidance in letter and in spirit and in doing so strengthen our hand in being able to best
represent anglers and angling, and to better influence government thinking in the angling
environment.
We hope that you find this guidance as both useful and sensible as we begin to reintroduce
Angling into our lives.
David Ogg
Chairman, Angling Scotland LTD
Guidance for Anglers
The following guidance has been established to ensure a safe environment for all “Anglers”
and all on-site staff, sets out the basis on how Anglers can return to a safe environment as
outlined by the Scottish Government’s Phase 1 relaxation of restrictions.
Not only are Anglers expected to comply with the guidance they should also observe the
government and public health restrictions. Guidance is subject to change and will be under
continuous review. We would ask all Anglers to regularly check with Angling Scotland and
their fisheries for regular updates.
Prior to Angling:
- Travel from your home must be in line with
Scottish Government guidelines – in phase 1
local travel is noted as broadly 5 miles from
home. Anglers should use their discretion but
focus on local trips as much as possible.
- If you are in the highest risk (shielding) group
outlined by the Government, then you should
stay at home.
- If you are ill or have any symptoms of
COVID-19 then stay at home.
- Schedule your session time in the manner
prescribed by your fishery. Under no
circumstances should you arrive without
booking in advance.
- Disinfect your equipment including waders,
nets and any other items that may come in to
contact with you or the water.
- Ensure you have enough equipment for the
entire session as the facilities at the fishery
may be closed and you should not exchange
equipment with other anglers.
- Aim to arrive no more than 15 minutes prior
to your session.
- Park your car in such a way as to facilitate
physical distancing.
During Angling:
- Always observe social distancing rules at the
fishery.
- Use your own net do not share nets with
other Anglers
- Do not share equipment, food or drink with
others unless from the same household.
- Follow all local procedures that are
implemented by your fishery or club.
- Always follow good hand and respiratory
hygiene guidelines e.g. washing of hands,
use of face coverings in enclosed spaces
Guidance for Fisheries
The following guidance sets out the basis on how fisheries can open and provide a safe
environment for Anglers as outlined by the Scottish Government’s Phase 1 relaxation of
restrictions.
Procedures are subject to change, we would therefore ask fishery managers to regularly
check here for updates.
For Fisheries to open they should first ensure that:
- All activity should be consistent with current guidance on health, physical distancing and
hygiene – facilities should also make sure they can adapt to changes in guidance at short
notice.
- All essential maintenance and preparatory work has been completed in order to ensure
compliance with Government guidance on physical distancing and hygiene.
General Guidelines
- Risk assessment – should be carried out and documented.
- Put your risk assessment on display so that Anglers can understand the risks and measures
taken to manage.
- Travel guidance outlined by the Scottish Government should always be adhered to by
anglers. Broadly speaking this means that anglers should be from the local area with
minimal exceptions.
- Physical distancing rules outlined by the Scottish Government must always be adhered to.
- Anglers who are in the highest risk (shielded) group outlined by the Government should not
attend fisheries during phase 1.
- Anglers with any symptoms of COVID-19 should also not attend fisheries.
Session times and access
The following guidance is discretionary and should be subject to the appropriate
risk assessments taking place by fishery managers.
- Session times should be managed and booked in advance – anglers should not simply turn
up to fish.
- Daily session times and intervals are at the discretion of the fishery – the following
groupings should be permitted;
- Individuals anglers.
- Angling pairs from the same household, with household members.
- A non household angler can travel, but not in the same car. They can fish at the same
location, exercising social distancing.
- Competitions are not recommended in phase 1 of re-introduction.
- Booking records should be kept for a period of at least 6 weeks to assist with contact
tracing should the need arise.
Advance Planning and Communication with Anglers:
- Fisheries should ensure communication to all Anglers that they should follow the
“Guidance for Anglers.”
- Provide Anglers with regular updates on any changes made.
- Physical distancing – the 2m rule applies to all these settings. Facilities need to adapt to
encourage social distancing.
- Workforce – ensure the relevant workplace guidance is followed for staff, and any existing
health and safety advice is maintained and aligned.
- Cleaning – hand hygiene is a core measure and provision should be made for this where
possible.
- Anglers should use their own nets. Provision of a means to disinfect nets prior to fishing
would be advisable.