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Title: Review of fishery regulations on the Rivers Taw and Torridge
Author: National Rivers Authority South Western Region
Document Type: Monograph
Abstract:
There is a long history of decline in the salmon stocks of the Rivers Taw and Torridge. Between 1953 and 1980, thirty six nets operated. Declining catches and the low abundance of juvenile fish led South West Water Authority, the regulatory body at that time, to apply in 1980 for a package of measures which included an NLO of 14 and the adoption of voluntary agreements to restrict the angling catch. These measures were modified slightly and approved but an appeal by the net fishermen on the basis of their dependency on fishing was upheld by the High Court and the number of licences issued was increased to 22, although the NLO remained at 14. It was not until 1987 that the number of licensed netsmen had fallen to 14 but it was then considered that further restrictions were necessary to give the stocks the opportunity for natural recovery. During 1988 and 1989, negotiations with the netsmen led to much reduced fishing effort as a consequence of ten of them being paid not to fish. In 1990, this arrangement was extended to all 14 netsmen and the NRA applied for, and obtained, a reducing NLO of 14. At the same time, a byelaw was introduced to limit the angling catch by individual anglers on both rivers.
Publisher: National Rivers Authority
Publication Date: 1995
Publication Place: Exeter
Subject Keywords: River fisheriesRiversFishing rightsByelawsNet fishingStock assessment
Geographic Keywords: TawTorridgeNorth Devon catchmentDevon
Taxonomic Keywords: Salmo trutta
Extent: n.p. [48]
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:2780
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