Annex 1 – Activities, projects and legislation relating to wildlife crime policy and enforcement

Wildlife Crime policy and enforcement involves many organisations in Scotland. To complement the official statistics publication, this document provides background information (provided by the relevant organisations) regarding the relevant activities, projects and legislation related to wildlife crime and the roles of the different organisations involved during the main reporting years (2023-24 and 2024-25).

PAW Scotland

The Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland consists of law enforcement bodies, wildlife and animal welfare charities, land management organisations and government agencies, working together to fight wildlife crime.

Sub-groups

The partnership is supported by the Scottish Government, and the PAW Scotland sub-groups listed below comprise of representatives of selected stakeholders and wildlife crime priority groups based in Scotland.

• Legislation, Regulation and Guidance     
• Media
• Training and Awareness                   
• Scientific      

Priority Delivery Groups

There are also a number of Priority Delivery Groups (PDGs) focussing on priority areas of wildlife crime. These are well structured with partner agencies including the Scottish Government feeding into a 4P plan – which set out actions to pursue, prepare, prevent and protect that specific area of wildlife crime. The PDG groups are as follows:

Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group    

The Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group was established to develop a programme of work to improve prevention, awareness raising, enforcement and intelligence gathering in Scotland related to crimes against birds of prey:

• develop methods to assist in reducing raptor persecution.
• devise strategies to raise awareness of raptor persecution.
• devise strategies to foster trust and relations with PAW partners to maximise intelligence and crime prevention opportunities.
• encourage data sharing between both government and non-government organisations.
• bring a robust, evidence-led approach to prevention and enforcement activity to support policing.
• examine and implement innovative approaches to preventative action to reduce raptor persecution.
• encourage appropriate enforcement action in all incidents of raptor persecution.

Poaching & Coursing Priority Delivery Group

The group aims to build a greater level of public awareness of poaching and coursing as serious wildlife crime, to continue to build working relations, communications and information sharing between all agencies and organisations and rural communities in order to increase prevention activity and enforcement in Scotland.

Freshwater Pearl Mussel Priority Delivery Group

The Freshwater Pearl Mussel Priority Delivery Group (PDG) aims to raise awareness of criminality affecting freshwater pearl mussels (FWPM) in order to facilitate intelligence and incident reporting, leading to increased prevention and enforcement action.

The Group met in September 2023 and March 2025. The FWPM PDG plan was realigned to meet with the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) 4P plan format (pursue, prepare, protect, prevent). Key issues include the increasing impacts of climate change (drought and flood events) upon FWPM populations and potential increased exposure to fishing through lower river levels.

A suspected FWPM fishing incident was reported in Tayside in July 2023 however evidence was removed in a subsequent flood event. An incident of unlicensed translocation of FWPM was reported to Police Scotland in November 2024 and was dealt with via a joint-agency approach comprising information and advice.

A student from Liverpool John Moores University is undertaking a PhD into the forensic use of eDNA (environmental DNA) to assist in investigation of FWPM crime and the FWPM PDG has provided information in support.

Funding to tackle wildlife crime

The following funding has been provided by NatureScot on behalf of Scottish Government and PAW Scotland to support action against wildlife crime. Long-term projects in 2023/24 and 2024/25 include:

• RSPB Investigations Team, a specialist team delivering awareness raising, crime prevention and detection functions and assisting Police Scotland in criminal investigations.
• Contribution to the delivery of the National Wildlife Crime Unit Scottish Investigative Support Officer post, this is supported directly though additional funding from the Scottish Government.

Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime Exhibitions

The Scottish Government arranged exhibitions at the Royal Highland Show and the Scottish Game Fair under the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime in Scotland banner. These exhibitions raise awareness of wildlife crime, and engage younger generations with the importance of conserving our vulnerable species. The exhibitions also provide an opportunity to discuss the laws in place which protect wildlife in Scotland with the public. The exhibitions are supported by colleagues from Police Scotland and the National Wildlife Crime Unit.

Police Scotland

Police Scotland remains committed to the prevention and reduction of wildlife crime across our country. Collaborative efforts with numerous partner agencies are ongoing and widely successful, focusing on minimising criminal activity, enhancing public awareness and education, and encouraging reports from the community.

This essential partnership working encompasses several key areas:

• Large-scale multi-agency operations.
• Mutual support for training days and public events.
• Concerted efforts to proactively address emerging and ongoing crime trends.
• Intensive engagement with Tactical Delivery Groups for each of our national wildlife crime priorities.

National Operations

Operation Jawline

Police Scotland is committed to working with and supporting partner agencies in preventing Rural and Wildlife Crime throughout Scotland.  This partnership working is crucial, especially within our rural communities. Responding to concerns and dealing with Rural and Wildlife crime effectively and efficiently is vital, especially when considering the well established links between rural/wildlife crime and Serious and Organised Crime Groups. 

Operation Jawline was initiated following a number of concerns being raised by partner agencies in relation to the practices of a number of rural based businesses across the central belt. Several concerns were raised over illegal and unlicenced practices including financial crime.

Multi-agency meetings were arranged and agreement reached for Police Scotland to support partner agencies to carry our enforcement action under the umbrella of Operation Jawline. This was an excellent example of the effectiveness of positive partnership working for offences involving wildlife and rural Scotland.

Operation Easter

Operation EASTER was developed in Scotland in 1997 with the aim of tackling the theft of wild bird eggs by egg thieves and collectors. The operation is now facilitated by the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) in conjunction with Police Scotland and involves police forces and partner agencies across the UK.

In Scotland in 2020, penalties for many wildlife crimes were increased to a maximum of five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine. The increase in penalties has allowed Police Scotland to utilise covert investigative techniques, with these policing methods now being determined as a proportionate investigative tactic in relation to many suspected wildlife crimes.

Operation Easter is an intelligence led operation, targeting egg thieves by sharing intelligence and supporting enforcement action. This allows Police Scotland to adopt both proactive and reactive responses to this crime type, while utilizing all manner of investigative techniques.

Operation Salmo

In October 2025 Police Scotland and Fisheries Management Scotland undertook a joint campaign that incorporated fishing organisations and bodies based across Scotland. Operation Salmo was a highly effective campaign that involved social media engagement with the public and targeted proactive joint patrols, all in an effort to reduce fish poaching in Scotland. This was a very successful operation that resulted in criminal charges and some excellent partnership working.

Introduction of new Legislation

Police Scotland Wildlife Crime Unit worked closely with Scottish Government during 2023 to enable the passing of two significant pieces of wildlife legislation:

• Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 
• The Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023

Police Scotland have worked closely with our partners at NatureScot to ensure the smooth implementation of the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 with several cases having been investigated since the legislation became enforceable. This spirit of cooperation and support has extended to the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024, where Police Scotland and NatureScot have worked closely to ensure there is a seamless partnership in place for this new legislation.

Scottish Wildlife Crime Conference

Police Scotland hosted the Scottish Wildlife Crime Conference which was held on 5th March 2025 at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan.

Police Scotland’s aim was to bring together enforcement agencies, statutory organisations and NGOs to hear the latest approaches, successes and challenges of combating and preventing wildlife crime in Scotland.

This one-day event provided a comprehensive programme of presentations from Police Scotland on successful enforcement operations. We also had the benefit of hearing from various key partner agencies highlighting their efforts to reduce wildlife crime and protect our natural heritage, and the introduction was provided by the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity.

This event brought partners together from across Scotland to recognise the collective effort in reducing wildlife crime and protecting our natural heritage. The event also demonstrated Police Scotland’s ongoing commitment to fighting wildlife.

Attending UK Enforcer conferences/meetings

Police Scotland’s Wildlife Crime Unit regularly attends wildlife crime conferences and discussion groups throughout the UK to discuss crime trends, intelligence and investigative strategies with other Police forces and partner agencies. This ensures Police Scotland stay at the forefront of tackling wildlife crime and benefit from shared learning and experiences.

SSPCA protocol

With the passing of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024, and the newly introduced increased powers given to the SSPCA, Police Scotland and SSPCA have worked together to create a joint working protocol to ensure roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. The overall aim of this protocol is to provide agreed guidance to ensure efficient, professional, and accountable partnership working when exercising the enhanced powers provided by the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024.

The enhanced powers allow an authorised Scottish SPCA Inspector additional powers to search for and seize items for evidence in relevant offences, as set out in the agreed Protocol.

Police Scotland have designed and delivered bespoke training for authorised SSPCA Inspectors who will be utilising these enhanced powers. This training package aims to increase knowledge around evidential and forensic considerations, along with basic crime scene management.

Training

Police Scotland Wildlife Crime Unit is committed to its continual training programme with two courses being delivered to officers throughout 2024-25.

Wildlife Crime- Guide for First Responders

The Wildlife Crime Guide for First Responders is primarily aimed at first responders to Wildlife Crimes to facilitate prompt and effective responses. It is relevant to all police officers in providing a basic knowledge and general understanding of the different facets of Wildlife Crime that may be reported to Police Scotland.

Wildlife Crime Investigators Course

The Wildlife Crime Investigators Course is delivered every year and is available to officers from all divisions.  This is a more in-depth, week-long course, and is designed to equip officers with the requisite skills and knowledge to effectively investigate wildlife crimes, which are often complex and multi-faceted.

The course includes inputs from partner agencies as well as inputs from a variety of police departments and the group will take part in case studies, practical excises and course learners will be assessed as competent in each essential area.

Wildlife Crime Introduction course

It was identified that there has been no basic introduction course for officers expressing an interest in becoming Wildlife Crime Officers. As such, a formal course was approved, designed and is now delivered to officers interested in learning how to deal with wildlife incidents as first responders. It is a two-day course, held at multiple locations throughout the country, providing up to 20 officers per course, the basic understanding and knowledge to deal with new wildlife incidents.

Achievements

Two Police Scotland Officers, DC Steven Irvine and PC Gavin Ross, have won an award from Government Science and Engineering for their groundbreaking work incorporating wildlife DNA into criminal investigations.

At the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Awards 2024 in the category 'Collaboration for the Furthering of Science and Engineering' the officers were recognised for their work and collaboration of a team on a specific piece of work which furthered science and engineering. 

This team award involved individuals from various different organisations and is the result of the incredible work undertaken for Operation Tantallon. This investigation centred around the theft of wild peregrine eggs and chicks, and their subsequent illegal international sale. This area of science has continued to develop and progress in the aftermath of Operation Tantallon, earning the recognition of the UK’s leading scientists.

NatureScot

General Licence Restrictions and Protected Species Licensing

A package of anti-wildlife crime measures announced by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change in 2014, included the option of preventing the use of general licences to trap or shoot wild birds on land where there is evidence of wildlife crime against birds. Police Scotland share information with NatureScot where it may prove to be of assistance in deciding on the use of these restrictions. NatureScot published their framework for implementing restrictions on the use of General Licences in October 2014, which was part of a package of measures aimed at tackling raptor persecution. The rationale behind the restriction process was that the light-touch approach to regulation offered by General Licences (where there is no application process, and no significant registration or reporting requirements) would not be appropriate where there has been a loss of confidence, usually in situations where there has been evidence to show that crimes against wild birds have taken place. NatureScot meet with Police Scotland and the National Wildlife Crime Unit every three months to review new information on bird crimes in Scotland and to identify any possible cases for future restrictions. Possible cases are reviewed against the criteria set out in the framework document and must be based upon clear evidence of crimes being committed.

In July 2024, a General Licence restriction was applied to Lochindorb Estate, Highland for a period of 3 years in response to crimes against birds recorded on the estate. Details of current General Licence restrictions can be found on the NatureScot website.

The provisions of the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 came into effect on the 3rd October 2023.  NatureScot introduced a licence scheme to permit the use of more than 2 dogs for certain purposes as defined by the Act.  

The provisions of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 came into effect on the 22nd July 2024, introducing the requirement for a licence from NatureScot to kill or take red grouse on land.  Licences commenced from 12th August 2024 and NatureScot published an online Framework for modifying, suspending or revoking Section 16AA Licences.

NatureScot continues to enhance a more structured approach to compliance monitoring with Licensing Officers undertaking both routine and random licence checks and responding to any detected breaches.

During the reporting period 2024-25, 39 incidents involving a breach of licence condition were detected, these ranged from not submitting returns to breaches of operational licence conditions. Three cases were passed on to Police Scotland as potential wildlife crimes.

National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU)

The NWCU has a dedicated intelligence function. All intelligence relating to wildlife crime in Scotland is gathered by the NWCU and researched on a weekly basis to identify emerging trends and to prepare tactical and strategic analysis. In addition, the following bespoke intelligence analysis was provided for Scotland:

• Analysis of top Hare Coursing nominals to direct targeting of resources.
• Analysis of top Operation BADGER nominals of interest to support proactive targeting.
• Circulation of Operation EASTER operational order, poster and guidance for police – to support and direct proactive targeting across Scotland.
• Intelligence database checks carried out on behalf of Police Scotland wildlife crime officers.
• Briefing documentation provided for meetings with NatureScot and Police Scotland regarding recent bird of prey incidents for consideration of Open General Licence restrictions and review of red grouse killing/taking licences.
• Provided data to Scottish Government to assist with their Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) bill review. Supplied Bird of Prey incidents and intelligence from 2018 - 2023 in Scotland.
• NWCU provided advice and guidance to NatureScot in relation to the General License scheme relating to Wild injured birds being kept in captivity and devised a review of current policies and procedures and assisted in the drafting of new policy and procedures.
• NWCU advised NatureScot in relation to the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 and the Licensing scheme.
• Consultation on the use of illegal wildlife trade seizure data that NWCU supply to the EU-TWIX network (EU trade in wildlife information exchange group facilitated by TRAFFIC) on behalf of all UK police forces.
• Quarterly submission of reports to the Acquisitive Crime Threat Group which includes all links to Scottish investigations.
• NWCU continue to provide expert advice, guidance and support in relation to legislative reform under the Control and Trade in Endangered Species Regulations, primarily relating to Peregrine Falcons and hybrid Falcons and instrumental in the development of a new wild injured and disabled bird policy being drafted for implementation during 2026/27.
• Administration of NWCU DISC platform to enhance information sharing between police forces and partners, including investigative toolkits, analytical products and information about wildlife crime case results. 

Over and above the NWCU’s intelligence and analytical support, the NWCU’s Scottish Investigative Support Officer (SISO) provides advice and ‘on the ground’ support for wildlife crime investigations. Police Constable Gavin Ross is seconded into this NWCU role from Police Scotland.  In June 2023, Detective Constable (DC) Steven Irvine joined the NWCU on secondment from Police Scotland to provide expert detective policing knowledge within the NWCU and to Police Scotland.  DC Irvine’s main role within the unit is to provide expert investigative knowledge and to lead on complex serious and organised wildlife crime investigations across Scotland and the North of England.  During this period, DC Irvine and SISO have provided leadership and expertise on a number of investigations and operations:

• SISO Ross and DC Irvine continue to lead on investigations relating to the theft of peregrine falcons from the wild which are being laundered into the legal falconry trade.  These investigations are not only complex but also time consuming and continue to receive significant media attention. 
• Assistance was provided to several operations involving bird of prey crime and the annual delivery of Operation Easter. 
• Both SISO Ross and DC Irvine provide advice and assistance to Police Scotland Wildlife Crime Liaison Officers and other organisations on a near daily basis covering a variety of subjects related to the priorities as well as other issues including invasive non-native species.
• SISO Ross and DC Irvine have continued to lead on police investigations relating to the illegal wildlife trade across Scotland with assistance from a number of partner agencies. 
• Constable Ross assisted with Operation Thunder which involved working with Heathrow based Border Force officers who specialise in issues relating to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
• The Harrier Taskforce (HTF) established in 2023 has improved the response to incidents involving satellite tagged hen harriers across the UK.  NWCU have responded to several reports in Scotland in this period.  The standardised response protocol ensures resources are deployed swiftly and investigative opportunities are maximised.
• DC Irvine has developed a UK and Ireland wide multi-agency invasive non-native species (INNS) practitioners working group.   There is representation from over 19 different agencies concentrating efforts on working cohesively together to identify trends, widen agencies knowledge and share best practice in eradicating INNS.  Scotland is well represented on this group through Police Scotland, NatureScot, SEPA, Fisheries Management Scotland, Tweed Commission and Tweed Forum.
• During 2025, SISO Ross has taken the lead on rolling out the HTF standardised response protocol to all species of bird of prey that are satellite tagged (including golden eagles and white-tailed eagles). 

Throughout the period, the NWCU has continued to strengthen its relationships with partner agencies, including government bodies and NGOs. DC Irvine and SISO Ross have worked collaboratively to share best practice and raise standards in the investigation of wildlife crime incidents across Scotland. This partnership approach also supports crime reporting and detection, helps identify emerging trends and threats to particular species, highlights new methods of operation (MOs), and assists in developing new policing tactics to address evolving forms of wildlife persecution.  SISO Ross and DC Irvine have also played a key role in identifying and developing new crime prevention opportunities.  For example:

• DC Irvine continues to liaise on a regular basis with SASA relating to the wild peregrine database and forensic toolkit.
• DC Irvine participated in several legislative reform working groups along with partner agencies, ensuring that any draft legislation is in keeping with the legislative requirements in Scotland, e.g. corroborative evidence requirements (Scotland) Act 2024.
• DC Irvine had regular dialogue with the Crown Office specialist Wildlife Environmental Crime Unit (WECU) relating to Complex Wildlife Crime investigations.
• Constable Ross is a special point of contact for NatureScot and collated the information provided for consideration of General Licence restrictions.
• Constable Ross works closely with the South of Scotland Golden Eagle project and raptor study groups.
• During 2025, SISO Ross has taken the lead on rolling out the HTF standardised response protocol to all species of bird of prey that are satellite tagged (including golden eagles and white-tailed eagles). 
• In 2025, SISO Ross and DC Irvine were key to the development of Operation GLASSBEAK.  This multi-agency intelligence led approach coupled with analytical support identified the 12 most at risk wild peregrine falcon nest sites across the UK, 6 of which were identified in Scotland.  Working alongside raptor study groups, RSPB and volunteers, a number of police prevention tactics were deployed, including clear signage.  This proactive preventative work led to a number of birds nesting in these at-risk sites in Scotland fledging peregrine chicks for the first time in over 8 years.

NWCU have continued to raise the profile of wildlife crime across policing and civil society.  For example:

• DC Irvine provided a number of training inputs relating to wildlife crime at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan.
• DC Irvine and Constable Ross attended a number of public events such as The Royal Highland Show, Scone Game Fair and the Border Union Show to raise awareness and educate the general public on Wildlife Crime.
• Constable Ross accompanied Police Scotland on a visit to Mull. NWCU prepared a guide on the legislation for disturbance of birds under the W&CA and European Protected Species (Otter and Cetacean) under the Habitats regs. While on the island, he met with the new ranger to inform him about the issues, legislation and other potential prevention work. 
• The NWCU launched their Digital Training Academy which provides free online courses for Police Wildlife Crime Officers and staff who focus on wildlife crime. There are several modules covering key wildlife crime areas including bat crime, badger crime and INNS.
• Administration of NWCU DISC platform to enhance information sharing between police forces and partners, including investigative toolkits, analytical products and information about wildlife crime case results. 
• SISO Ross has conducted a programme of talks to groups such as Raptor Study Workers, outdoor pursuits instructors and Scottish Ornithologist Club branches using Operation Tantallon (wild peregrine thefts for falconry) as a case study to encourage reports of suspicious behaviour or nest failures
• SISO Ross has written a number of articles for magazines such as Scramble and Farming Scotland highlighting wildlife crime and encouraging people to report crime to the police.
• The NWCU analysed UK-wide criminal record data from 2024, seeking to establish links between wildlife crime and other types of crime (polycriminality). This analysis was included in the Wildlife and Countryside Link report, Wildlife crime - the far reaching impacts of crimes against wildlife, published in November 2025. This provides useful context at a UK-level for figures presented in the previous convictions section of Wildlife Crime in Scotland 2024.

The Scottish Government

This section sets out details of specific projects carried out by or on behalf of the Scottish Government over the time period of this report.

Wildlife Management and Muirburn

A report on the environmental impact of grouse moor management practices was published on 19 December 2019. The Scottish Government provided a response to the recommendations on 26 November 2020. The response announced our intention to licence grouse moors and deliver the recommendations.

The full Scottish Government response to the recommendations provides further detail.

In the reporting period of this Wildlife Crime Report (2023/24) and (2024/25) the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 (“the Act”) was passed on 21 March 2024 and it became an Act on 30 April 2024.

The Act contains provisions to: 

• Ban the use, supply and possession of glue traps and introduces licensing and training requirements for certain other types of wildlife traps;
• Introduces a licensing regime for land used for the shooting of red grouse
• Licenses all muirburn and bans muirburn on peatland unless for limited purposes
• Introduce enabling powers to allow Scottish Ministers to extend the role of inspectors appointed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to investigate certain wildlife offences.
• Bans the use of snares

Since then we have commenced a number of provisions set out in the 2024 Act:

• Introduced a licensing regime for land used for the shooting of red grouse
• Introduced enabling powers to allow Scottish Ministers to extend the role of inspectors appointed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to investigate certain wildlife offences.
• Banned the use of snares

More information, and the legislative timeline can be found here.

Deer Management

In 2017 the Scottish Government commissioned an independent report on Scotland’s systems of deer management. The report by the Deer Working Group was published in January 2020 and made 99 recommendations, of which we accepted 95, to ensure deer management was sustainable and in line with Scotland’s environmental ambitions.

The Scottish Government’s response to the Deer Working Group report can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/deer-working-group-recommendations-scottish-government-response/

In the reporting period of this Wildlife Crime Report (2023/24) and (2024/25) the Scottish Government introduced the Natural Environment Bill to the Scottish Parliament on 19 February 2025. This will bring forward significant reforms to the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 including improving deer welfare by creating a new offence of shooting a deer with a shotgun, along with a corresponding ability for NatureScot to authorise the activity in appropriate circumstances.

Legislation

Legislative requirement for annual wildlife crime report

The Wildlife Crime in Scotland report is a requirement of Section 20 of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011, which inserted a new Section 26B into the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The section prescribes that Ministers must lay a report following the end of every calendar year on offences which relate to wildlife, to include information on incidence and prosecutions during the year to which the report relates, and on research and advice relevant to those offences.

Offence Categories (by crime code) and legislation

Badgers

• Protection of Badgers Act 1992

Birds

• Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981
• Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024

Cruelty to wild animals

• Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996; Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981

Deer

• Deer (Scotland) Act 1996

Hunting with dogs

• Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023

Conservation (e.g. protected sites, conservation orders)

• Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004

Poaching and game laws

• Game (Scotland) Act 1772
• Game (Scotland) Act 1832
• Night Poaching Act 1828
• Poaching Prevention Act 1862
• Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948

Fish poaching

• Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries (Protection) (Scot) Act 1951
• Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries (Consol) (Scot) Act 2003
• Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975
• The Fish Conservation (Fishing For Eels)(Scotland) Regulations 2008
• The Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulations 2016
• The Conservation of Salmon (Prohibition of Sale) (Scotland) Regulations 2002
• The Salmon Carcass Tagging (Scotland) Regulations 2016
• The Tweed Regulation (Salmon Carcass Tagging) Order 2016
• The Conservation of Salmon (Annual Close Time and Catch and Release) (Scotland) Regulations 2014
• The Scotland Act 1998 (River Tweed) Order 2006
• The Tweed Regulation (Salmon Conservation) (No. 2) Order 2016

Other wildlife offences (e.g. European Protected Species, CITES, attempts to commit offences)

• The Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994
• Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981
• Control of Trade In Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regs 1997

Legislative changes

During the main reporting years covered by this Wildlife Crime report (2023-24 and 2024-25), the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 was introduced by the Scottish Government and passed by the Scottish Parliament.