Fishing

Fishing in its various forms should be allowed where it can be carried out with appropriate physical distancing.

Fishing alone from a boat or bank could be carried out at little or no risk. Fishing together with another household member would pose no additional risk.

Fishing in groups at canal or commercial fisheries would seem unsuitable but commercial fisheries could introduce staggered sessions to avoid groupings around the start and end of fishing sessions and appropriate physical distancing and hygiene rules could be applied without difficulty.

Sensible travel times (say, a circa 30 minute drive) would seem appropriate in the early stages to avoid too much angling tourism.

Why the contribution is important

This is important. Firstly to allow those who enjoy fishing as a recreational activity to enjoy the benefits. It offers a very valuable distraction from the confines of lockdown. Secondly the commercial fisheries have stock purchase and management commitments that require activity to take place. Fish are farmed for stocking and need to be stocked and caught to allow the following seasons stocking to be brought on and ensure continuity of supply for the post lockdown activity.

by nickjktaylor on May 08, 2020 at 10:37AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.9
Based on: 16 votes

Comments

  • Posted by GJBB May 08, 2020 at 10:47

    Wholeheartedly agree. Fishing by its very nature is a passtime where 2m + separation is the norm and gives a lot of mental relaxation to many, often elderly people.

  • Posted by DavidW11 May 08, 2020 at 11:18

    Completely agree. Anglers are almost never within 2 metres of each other as it is. Allowing this to commence will cause no safety issues

  • Posted by FraochL May 08, 2020 at 11:25

    The travel element is the rub here as most folk don’t live a short trip from lochs & rivers. I think when wild camping etc is opened up again this’d be ok, but concerned in the meantime it’d be an excuse to travel to wild places and set up and drink for days.

  • Posted by ap26 May 08, 2020 at 11:27

    Recreational sports should be allowed with social distancing measures. Most of these activities are low risk, and do not require resources of the emergency services. Been fly-fishing for 30 yrs and never had a problem...

  • Posted by ProudTeuchter May 08, 2020 at 11:30

    Fishing - a surprisingly contentious subject! 'Wilderness' or 'Wild fishing' - seems pretty obvious to me (living in the middle of it) that this is not an issue at all, as long as you can access it without 'excessive travel'.

    My suggestion would be something along the lines of...
    Five/Ten/Fifteen mile maximum drive to start of any fishing excursion - this could be decided by each local authority or even better, the community council, as they will know their local area better than someone looking at postcodes in Hollyrood!
    Keep social distancing at all times.
    Thoroughly clean, disinfect and 'rest' shared equipment between uses.
    Limit numbers at venues when necessary due to venue capacity and parking availability.

    It would be good to draft a list of 'Leisure Activities' that can be undertaken whilst maintaining the core principals of hygiene, physical distancing and excessive travel. Please, can we move away from the term 'exercise' because our minds need to be kept as healthy as our bodies! Even the UK Gov website says that you may go outside "for health reasons", which is much more sensible (for once!)

  • Posted by saddleworth2 May 09, 2020 at 16:31

    Open fisheries immediately!
    They are safe and can be organised to:
    - ensure social distancing
    - disinfect boats and equipment
    - close lodges where anglers might congregate
    - move to cashless for payments

    If a distance restriction has to be in place please make sure its reasonable as many of us don't live on the river or loch bank. 50 - 75 miles seems reasonable to me.

  • Posted by Jock52 May 10, 2020 at 14:17

    Generally speaking anglers ( fly fishing and spinning) are naturally at a safe distance from one another due to the very nature of their actions and equipment. From a risk/ benefit point of view I feel it is completely acceptable to allow the resumption of angling but with caveats attached such as maintaining the 2 metre rule- for example boat fishing on lochs and at sea.
    I’m not sure the distance one drives to any outdoor activity is relevant if one is alone in one’s vehicle or sharing it with a cohabited.

  • Posted by Jock52 May 10, 2020 at 14:18

    Cohabited should read cohabitee !
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