THE Tayside launch of a major wildlife protection programme will be hosted by Tony Andrews, the chief executive of the Scottish Countryside Alliance, tomorrow (Friday 16th February).

Operation SALMO is a nationwide initiative of the Police Wildlife Crime Unit designed to crack down on the poachers who threaten Scotland’s £112 million angling industry. Tony Andrews will host the Tayside Police launch of Operation SALMO on his beat of the South Esk at Finavon.

Mr Andrews said: “The Police Wildlife Crime Unit has launched this major campaign to put an end to salmon poaching in Scotland. The Scottish Countryside Alliance fully supports this initiative because we recognise the importance of salmon to tourism and the rural economy. It is also true that the salmon is an icon of Scotland’s brand image. People love to watch salmon jumping the falls at famous vantage points like the Falls of Shin or the Falls of Feugh in Banchory.

“Salmon returning to our rivers every year are seen by many people as a barometer telling us that the condition of our rivers – the purity of the water and quality of habitat – are good enough to support healthy populations of salmon and seatrout. This enhances our reputation as a country that takes care of its environment, and encourages visiting anglers and tourists to visit our country.”

Mr Andrews recalls a poaching incident that took place at Finavon in 1989, when more than four thousand salmon and trout were poisoned by poachers using a banned pesticide. “We must not return to those days of wanton destruction of this precious resource. This police initiative is hugely welcome and should help bring together everyone who loves our countryside and its world-class wildlife. We must protect these wonderful fish in our 65 salmon rivers, and maximise their contribution to the viability of rural Scotland”.
 
For more information on SCA policy on poaching or on the history of poaching on the South Esk please contact Neil Rafferty 07733 301721 or Tony Andrews on 07748 783624.

For further details on Operation SALMO please contact Allan Stewart of Tayside Police.

 

Notes:
The Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) campaigns for the countryside, country sports, and the rural way of life.  The SCA is a fully devolved policy and budget centre of the Countryside Alliance.

 

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