Ice has gone fishing is back on
Goldenloch
Mar 08th-Week-09-2018
A few things about this week, one was that I decided to make an application to Scottish National Heritage, Re, Cormorant control, last time that I had a licence to shoot cormorants it was granted by the Scottish Government and it was for three years, that licence was granted for the controlling amount of 30 birds, or 10 a year, which really is more that enough, considering they are so hard to shoot, firstly they are very wary of people, secondly they never sit still, unless they are digesting the trout, a thing about cormorants they will catch say 3 fish, then go ashore regurgitating say two, then stand still with wings apart drying to digesting the one they kept inside their stomach, if you look at where they roost or digest it is amazing to see just how many fish are lying there, the most important part about having a legitimate licence is the ability to have a gun on or rather being able to shoot over the water, without that anyone caught or seen shooting is in big trouble, living in the countryside has become quite irksome, we have so many people that think they know best and do not understand why things happen, in the morning even just now, including early evening we can easily have 10 or more walkers along the road adjacent to the loch, plus we have some rather hostile and unfriendly neighbours, so being out with a gun although not unusual attracts attention, but shots fired do, so only legitimate gunfire is what I try to achieve, the second time I applied for a licence, it was refused, as I did not have a rolling 3 year cormorant count, but that was the transition of the Scottish Office to SNH, but even back then the red tape was ridiculous, so now starting is the SNH website, which I have to say is rather puzzling and goes round in circles, I eventually found the relevant page and it is to be honest not that dissimilar to what it was like back when I last applied, so I decided to call the helpline, which was very useful, now the person did state that if I wrote in with a legitimate cause they would consider my application immediately, but I am not expecting a success as the application is quite clear in its historic findings ( Bird Count) Anyways this avenue is open to all fisheries and I would recommend putting pressure on SNH and be aware this is not the RSPB and SNH do grant licences on a regular basis you just have to get it right. My next point is that the outflow from The Goldenloch is pretty well pouring out, I was surprised at the no of fish that were trying to escape, why I have no idea, other than it is a natural thing, but I am so glad that we reconstructed our overflow / fish grids to stop our fish escaping into the environment, we now have a triple grid system in place however it does in the summer choke with weed,
Fly Fishing is a Pastime, it is not only relaxing, but also rewarding, come to the “Goldenloch” enjoy your Hobby to the max, no stress, only tranquil surroundings abundant wildlife, great fish, Brown, Blues and Rainbows, you will not be disappointed. Phone 01337840355 or 07968006367 ask for John or look up Postcode KY14 6HZ
Its March 8th 8am and we are still Frozen approx 2 1/2 inches ice
Version 2 April 2015 1
Licensing Section
Scottish Natural Heritage
Great Glen House
Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
01463 725364
LICENSING@snh.gov.uk
Licensing Arrangements for
Shooting Birds to Prevent Serious
Damage to Fisheries
GUIDANCE NOTES FOR STOCKED FISHERIES
Version 2 April 2015 2
Power to grant licences
1. Scottish Natural Heritage have authority under section 16(1)(k) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to grant licences to permit the killing or taking of wild birds for the purpose of preventing serious damage to fisheries. If the killing complies with the terms of such a licence then the prohibition in section 1 of the Act will not apply. In Scotland Scottish Natural Heritage is the licensing Authority for licences to shoot birds which damage fisheries.
Arrangements for the granting of licences
2. Scottish Natural Heritage have made the following arrangements for the granting of licences:
2.1 licences for the protection of stocked fisheries will normally only be granted to the owner or occupier;
2.2 licences will only be granted where alternative non-lethal methods of control have proved unsuccessful or impractical. Even where a licence has been granted, shooting should be undertaken in the first instance to scare rather than kill, where this is a feasible option;
2.3 for predation occurring, or likely to occur, in stocked fisheries, applications for licences will normally be considered to shoot cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo), herons (Ardea cinerea), goosanders (Mergus merganser) and mergansers (Mergus serrator).
2.4 normally licences will only be issued for a specified period between 1 September and 30 April; and
2.5 Scottish Natural Heritage will consult advisors from Marine Scotland and the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA).
Serious Damage
3. Evidence of serious damage occurring, or likely to occur, must be provided before consideration will be given to granting a licence, i.e. you must complete the instructions given in 3.1 and 3.2 below. Please attach all information as copies of actual records, or compiled information, to the back of the application form if necessary.
3.1 Evidence of declining fish stocks will normally include the following:-
type of fishery (commercial, private members, combination of commercial/private);
dates of opening;
monthly catch figures (numbers and weights of fish taken) for all months when fishing occurs;
numbers of bird-damaged fish caught per month;
net and/or gross income (please indicate which) from members fees and/or tickets sales;
details of any netting or equivalent activities that have attempted to estimate the numbers of fish in the loch/ponds;
estimated numbers of fish remaining in waters at the end of the fishing season, where a close season operates;
estimated numbers and size of fish taken by birds per month;
estimated income lost due to fish taken/damaged by birds.
In the case of stocked fisheries include:
species/variety of stocked fish;
Version 2 April 2015 3
numbers of fish stocked;
size/weight of stocked fish;
purchase cost of stocked fish;
dates of stocking;
method of stocking, e.g. whether trickle or single stocking.
Where wild fish form part or all of the catch include:
an estimate of the total annual catch made up of fish from wild origin;
details of any fish conservation measures.
3.2 Evidence of impact of birds on the fishery will include regular bird counts.
3.3 Bird counts on and in close proximity to the site should take place at least once a day if staff are present on the site on a daily basis. If the site is not manned daily, then counts should take place several times a week. Counts should take place immediately prior to any scaring activities (see section 4.). Counts must be undertaken during those months when you wish to shoot birds, and at the time of year that damage occurs.
3.4 You must complete the form in Annex A. If you are applying for a licence to shoot more than one species, please complete a separate sheet for each species. Use new sheets for each month.
3.5 The number of birds counted is the maximum number of birds that were counted on a single occasion during the day. Do not give the cumulative number of birds seen as a result of several counts in one day.
Non-lethal methods used to deter birds
4. Licences to shoot piscivorous birds are granted only where there is no other satisfactory solution. All applicants must detail the methods that have been used to deter birds from the site, including the lengths of time during which various methods were operating. Bird deterrence at these sites can be achieved by the use of bird scaring devices. A general list of bird scaring devices is included.
4.1 Officials from the Scottish Natural Heritage may visit the site of alleged damage during assessment of an application, in order to verify any information provided on the application form and to discuss, for example, any preventative measures currently employed or used in the past.
Licence conditions
5. Licences, if issued, will include a number of stipulations and conditions. These must be adhered to, and can vary from licence to licence. Scottish Natural Heritage has the power to revoke, without prior notice, any licences granted.
Offences
6. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981:
6.1 failure to comply with the terms of a licence may make the licensee liable to prosecution for an offence; and
6.2 applicants should also note that section 5 of the Act prohibits the use of certain methods of killing or taking wild birds: traps, snares, hocks, nets, bird lime and similar substances, electrical devices, poisonous and stupefying substances, bows and cross-
Version 2 April 2015 4
bows, explosives other than fire-arm ammunition, shotguns with large diameter barrels, automatic and semi-automatic weapons capable of holding more than 2 rounds in the magazine, illuminating and sighting devices for night shooting, artificial lighting, mirror and other dazzling devices, gas and smoke chemicals, wetting agents, sound recordings, tethered or maimed live birds as decoy and mechanically propelled vehicles in immediate pursuit.
When to apply for a licence
7. Anytime from July onward, bearing in mind that all licence applications must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the requested start date of the licence. Failure to adhere to this may result in any decision to grant a licence being delayed.
How to apply for a licence
8. Postal applications for a licence should be completed and sent to:
Licensing Section
Scottish Natural Heritage
Great Glen House
Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
Tel: 01463 725364
Email: LICENSING@snh.gov.uk
All applications should be accompanied by a map (of suitable scale), with the boundary of the fishery clearly marked on it.
Further Information
9. Further information regarding licensing arrangements can be obtained from the above address.
10. SNH will hold your contact details on our Customer Database. All licence application
forms, licences issued and correspondence relating to licensing decisions will be stored in our electronic filing system. We will use this information to undertake licensing functions. To do this we may have to discuss applications with relevant third parties.
We manage personal information in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. The Act gives individuals the right to know what data we hold on them, how we use it and to which third parties it is disclosed.
Where appropriate we may use your information within SNH for other purposes for example: sending you our magazine, inviting you to an event or asking for your feedback.
Version 2 April 2015 5
ANNEX A: BIRD COUNT RECORDING FORM MONTH/YEAR ..…………/………
Name of applicant:
Site named on application form:
Date
Time of count
Number of *……………….. counted
Bird activity (F=fishing; L=loafing)
Notes, e.g. weather conditions at time of count
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Version 2 April 2015 1
Licensing Section
Scottish Natural Heritage
Great Glen House
Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
01463 725364
LICENSING@snh.gov.uk
Licensing Arrangements for
Shooting Birds to Prevent Serious
Damage to Fisheries
GUIDANCE NOTES FOR STOCKED FISHERIES
Version 2 April 2015 2
Power to grant licences
1. Scottish Natural Heritage have authority under section 16(1)(k) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to grant licences to permit the killing or taking of wild birds for the purpose of preventing serious damage to fisheries. If the killing complies with the terms of such a licence then the prohibition in section 1 of the Act will not apply. In Scotland Scottish Natural Heritage is the licensing Authority for licences to shoot birds which damage fisheries.
Arrangements for the granting of licences
2. Scottish Natural Heritage have made the following arrangements for the granting of licences:
2.1 licences for the protection of stocked fisheries will normally only be granted to the owner or occupier;
2.2 licences will only be granted where alternative non-lethal methods of control have proved unsuccessful or impractical. Even where a licence has been granted, shooting should be undertaken in the first instance to scare rather than kill, where this is a feasible option;
2.3 for predation occurring, or likely to occur, in stocked fisheries, applications for licences will normally be considered to shoot cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo), herons (Ardea cinerea), goosanders (Mergus merganser) and mergansers (Mergus serrator).
2.4 normally licences will only be issued for a specified period between 1 September and 30 April; and
2.5 Scottish Natural Heritage will consult advisors from Marine Scotland and the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA).
Serious Damage
3. Evidence of serious damage occurring, or likely to occur, must be provided before consideration will be given to granting a licence, i.e. you must complete the instructions given in 3.1 and 3.2 below. Please attach all information as copies of actual records, or compiled information, to the back of the application form if necessary.
3.1 Evidence of declining fish stocks will normally include the following:-
type of fishery (commercial, private members, combination of commercial/private);
dates of opening;
monthly catch figures (numbers and weights of fish taken) for all months when fishing occurs;
numbers of bird-damaged fish caught per month;
net and/or gross income (please indicate which) from members fees and/or tickets sales;
details of any netting or equivalent activities that have attempted to estimate the numbers of fish in the loch/ponds;
estimated numbers of fish remaining in waters at the end of the fishing season, where a close season operates;
estimated numbers and size of fish taken by birds per month;
estimated income lost due to fish taken/damaged by birds.
In the case of stocked fisheries include:
species/variety of stocked fish;
Version 2 April 2015 3
numbers of fish stocked;
size/weight of stocked fish;
purchase cost of stocked fish;
dates of stocking;
method of stocking, e.g. whether trickle or single stocking.
Where wild fish form part or all of the catch include:
an estimate of the total annual catch made up of fish from wild origin;
details of any fish conservation measures.
3.2 Evidence of impact of birds on the fishery will include regular bird counts.
3.3 Bird counts on and in close proximity to the site should take place at least once a day if staff are present on the site on a daily basis. If the site is not manned daily, then counts should take place several times a week. Counts should take place immediately prior to any scaring activities (see section 4.). Counts must be undertaken during those months when you wish to shoot birds, and at the time of year that damage occurs.
3.4 You must complete the form in Annex A. If you are applying for a licence to shoot more than one species, please complete a separate sheet for each species. Use new sheets for each month.
3.5 The number of birds counted is the maximum number of birds that were counted on a single occasion during the day. Do not give the cumulative number of birds seen as a result of several counts in one day.
Non-lethal methods used to deter birds
4. Licences to shoot piscivorous birds are granted only where there is no other satisfactory solution. All applicants must detail the methods that have been used to deter birds from the site, including the lengths of time during which various methods were operating. Bird deterrence at these sites can be achieved by the use of bird scaring devices. A general list of bird scaring devices is included.
4.1 Officials from the Scottish Natural Heritage may visit the site of alleged damage during assessment of an application, in order to verify any information provided on the application form and to discuss, for example, any preventative measures currently employed or used in the past.
Licence conditions
5. Licences, if issued, will include a number of stipulations and conditions. These must be adhered to, and can vary from licence to licence. Scottish Natural Heritage has the power to revoke, without prior notice, any licences granted.
Offences
6. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981:
6.1 failure to comply with the terms of a licence may make the licensee liable to prosecution for an offence; and
6.2 applicants should also note that section 5 of the Act prohibits the use of certain methods of killing or taking wild birds: traps, snares, hocks, nets, bird lime and similar substances, electrical devices, poisonous and stupefying substances, bows and cross-
Version 2 April 2015 4
bows, explosives other than fire-arm ammunition, shotguns with large diameter barrels, automatic and semi-automatic weapons capable of holding more than 2 rounds in the magazine, illuminating and sighting devices for night shooting, artificial lighting, mirror and other dazzling devices, gas and smoke chemicals, wetting agents, sound recordings, tethered or maimed live birds as decoy and mechanically propelled vehicles in immediate pursuit.
When to apply for a licence
7. Anytime from July onward, bearing in mind that all licence applications must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the requested start date of the licence. Failure to adhere to this may result in any decision to grant a licence being delayed.
How to apply for a licence
8. Postal applications for a licence should be completed and sent to:
Licensing Section
Scottish Natural Heritage
Great Glen House
Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
Tel: 01463 725364
Email: LICENSING@snh.gov.uk
All applications should be accompanied by a map (of suitable scale), with the boundary of the fishery clearly marked on it.
Further Information
9. Further information regarding licensing arrangements can be obtained from the above address.
10. SNH will hold your contact details on our Customer Database. All licence application
forms, licences issued and correspondence relating to licensing decisions will be stored in our electronic filing system. We will use this information to undertake licensing functions. To do this we may have to discuss applications with relevant third parties.
We manage personal information in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. The Act gives individuals the right to know what data we hold on them, how we use it and to which third parties it is disclosed.
Where appropriate we may use your information within SNH for other purposes for example: sending you our magazine, inviting you to an event or asking for your feedback.
Version 2 April 2015 5
ANNEX A: BIRD COUNT RECORDING FORM MONTH/YEAR ..…………/………
Name of applicant:
Site named on application form:
Date
Time of count
Number of *……………….. counted
Bird activity (F=fishing; L=loafing)
Notes, e.g. weather conditions at time of count
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31