Annan Fishery Management Plan - RAFTS

River Annan DSFB Fisheries Management Plan 2009 – 20145.1.3 Identify and Remove All ManmadeObstructions to Fish.The dams and screens legislation in Scotland hasbeen largely superseded by CAR (although it isstill in force). This means that all obstructions tothe free movement of fish need to be licensed.SEPA can put conditions on licences and theBoard will be consulted upon them. All of themajor obstructions to fish movement are known but there will be others on minorburns (less than 2m wide) that are not known. SEPA certainly does not knowwhere they all are and needs to be informed as part of the river basinmanagement planning process. In the past, efforts were often made to removenatural barriers to fish; in general this is now frowned upon as there is likely to bepopulations of fish upstream which may be lost. This is particularly true in thecase of sea trout as there will be obstacles that sea trout can overcome butsalmon cannot. Removing the barrier may favour the salmon to the detriment ofthe sea trout.Action Description Reactive orProactive5.1.3.a Carry out further walkover surveys on all the Proactiveminor burns to assess obstructions.5.1.3.b5.1.3.c5.1.3.dEnsure all obstructions are known by SEPAand are subject to controls under CAR wherepossibleEnsure during licensing process that fishpassage through structures is conditional forgranting the licences.Where obstructions are causing a problem andowners are not co-operating seek redressthrough civil actions in severe casesProactiveReactiveReactiveTimescaleCompleteallwalkoversof all minorburns by2010.Complete2010OngoingAsnecessary30