Salmon carcass tagging: guidance

The Salmon Carcass Tagging (Scotland) Regulations 2016 (“the 2016 Regulations”) and The Tweed Regulation (Salmon Carcass Tagging) Order 2016 (“the 2016 Order”) came in to force on 31 March 2016 and took effect from 1 April 2016.

Please note that there will be rigorous enforcement of the regulations, and fisheries to whom tags are issued should ensure compliance.

Who the Regulations apply to

The Regulations apply to any person taking salmon by a method other than rod and line in Scottish inland waters (defined as ‘above the estuary limits’). It is illegal to retain any salmon caught in Scottish coastal waters or to sell, offer or expose for sale any salmon caught by rod and line in Scotland. Any salmon taken by a method other than rod and line in Scottish inland waters must be tagged and anyone netting must be in possession of salmon carcass tags issued by the Scottish Ministers. A copy of these guidance notes is issued to all fisheries in receipt of carcass tags.

Paying for tags and administration of the scheme

The Scottish Government pays for both the tags and the administration of the scheme. No person other than Scottish Ministers may supply and issue a tag which complies with the requirements within the Regulations and Order.

Obtaining tags

Marine Directorate will issue the tags on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Please see the requirements in regulation 8 of the 2016 Regulations and article 8 of the 2016 Order on the supply and issue of tags.

Tags supplied by anyone other than Scottish Ministers do not meet the requirements in the 2016 Regulations and 2016 Order. Failure to comply with the requirements in the 2016 Regulations and 2016 Order is an offence and the maximum penalty that can be applied on summary conviction is £2,500.

Information on tags

The name of the Fishery and a unique number shall be on the tags. Please see the requirements in regulation 6 of the 2016 Regulations and article 6 of the 2016 Order on the information to be contained on tags.

When to tag the carcass

You must tag a carcass no later than when the salmon is brought to the shore or bank. Please see the requirements in regulation 4 of the 2016 Regulations and article 4 of the 2006 Order on the requirements for affixing tags.

How to tag the fish

The tag should be inserted into the mouth of the salmon and secured and locked around the gill cover. Please see the requirements in regulation 4 of the 2016 Regulations and article 4 of the 2006 Order on the requirements for affixing tags.  

When to remove tags

A tag may only be removed if you are preparing the salmon for cooking or smoking; if you are cutting it up into portions immediately before it is offered or exposed for sale; or if you are preparing it for your own consumption. Please see the requirements in regulation 7 of the 2016 Regulations and article 7 of the 2016 Order.

Keeping and submitting records

Please see the record requirements in regulation 9 of the 2016 Regulations and article 9 of the 2016 Order. The following information must be kept for each week in which a salmon is taken:

• total number of carcasses which have been tagged
• unique reference numbers of any tags used
• name of the Salmon fishery within which the salmon was taken
• unique reference number of any damaged tags which cannot be affixed
• unique reference number of any lost tags

Whilst not a requirement, it would be helpful if you would keep the records in a spreadsheet. A record with the required information must be submitted to the Marine Directorate within two weeks of the start of the annual close time for the salmon fishery district or that part of the salmon fishery district, within which the salmon was taken. For the purpose of the record, “week” means a period of 7 days commencing on a Monday and ending on a Sunday.

Renewing tag supplies

You should be issued with more than enough tags for the season. However, in the event that you can see that you are running out, please contact Marine Directorate through the mailbox.

Keeping tags

Tags should be kept under lock and key in a secure building. Please notify the relevant District Salmon Fishery Board (DSFB) or the River Tweed Commission of tag numbers of any lost or stolen tags as soon as practicably possible (within 8 hours preferably). The unique reference number of any lost tags must be recorded  and sent to Marine Directorate at the end of the season.

When and where to send records

The record must be sent to Wild Salmon and Recreational Fisheries, Area 1B North, Marine Directorate, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ within 2 weeks of the start of the annual close time for the salmon fishery district.

Returning unused tags at the end of the season

Any unused tags must be returned to Marine Directorate along with your record for the season. This enables a complete reconciliation of the tags issued with the tags returned and tags recorded.

Please note no tags for the new season will be issued until the unused tags for the previous season are returned to Marine Directorate.