In the early 1980’s it was
recognised by many that netting was having a negative
commercial and environmental impact on salmon
stocks within the Tay system. But negotiations
were protracted and political. The very first
agreements were reached between the Tay
District Salmon Fisheries Board and Scone
Estates to remove the nets from the most significant
station on the Tay and similarly by the River
Earn Angling Improvement Association for nets
on the Earn in 1988.
In the same year the Atlantic Salmon Conservation
Trust (already responsible for buying out the
nets on the Tweed, Dee and Don) and the newly
formed Tay Foundation launched a joint appeal
to fund the buyout of the nets on the lower Tay.
By 1990 the former had been forced to withdraw,
but the Tay Foundation successfully concluded
agreements in that year to remove further nets
from Perth and Kinross Council, Tay Salmon Fisheries
Company and to continue the agreement for de-netting
with Scone Estates. At a cost of £650,000
it was estimated that an addition 20,000 salmon
would run the Tay. These funds were successfully
raised from a combination of anglers, individuals,
proprietors and government sources.
Negotiations continued throughout the decade
with further expenditure, resulting in that there
are no longer any netting stations on the river
Tay.
The Tay Foundation has continued to raise funds
for de-netting, both on the high seas by helping
to fund the Atlantic Salmon Trust and more especially
by helping to fund the buy-out North Sea drift
nets in 2003 onwards.
Having achieved its primary goals of removing
the nets The Tay Foundation now concentrates on
more local issues. Recognising that a modern holistic
approach to river management is required, the
Tay Foundation was reorganised in 2005 to include
representation from a broad range of interested
bodies. As a result the Tay Foundation continues
to support a wide range of divers projects
to the benefit of the community as a whole.
Our continued sincere thanks….. and those
of the fish and the environment ....are due our
sponsors, supporters and donors listed to the
right.
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