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Scotland pushes for harsher punishments for fish poachers

@Laurence Hangar/Angling Times

by Jonathan Longden |

Published on6th February 2026 at 11.30am

Fisheries Management Scotland (FMS) has welcomed moves to increase penalties for the most serious fish poaching offences, after the Scottish Parliament backed changes at Stage 3 of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill.

FMS says current punishment levels are not proportionate to the potential environmental harm caused by poaching, particularly where offences target Atlantic salmon and sea trout. The organisation says the fine for fish poaching convictions in Scotland is £349 and argues that level of sanction does not act as a meaningful deterrent.

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The change follows an amendment lodged by Emma Harper MSP. FMS says the amendment strengthens the penalties available for the most serious offending, including cases involving illegal gill nets, explosives, poisons and electric fishing devices.

Speaking after the debate, Harper said: “Over many decades governments and enforcement authorities have worked constructively with the fisheries management sector to strike the right balance between conservation, biodiversity, and the needs of fisheries and those who use them. As a result, we have a world-class angling sector, with huge economic benefits to rural Scotland, but poaching puts all this at risk.”

FMS chief executive Dr Alan Wells said the change was overdue. “Through the dedicated work of Scotland’s water bailiffs, we have one of the highest conviction rates of all wildlife crimes, but the very low penalties currently issued do not reflect the environmental damage caused,” he said. “We believe that these changes send a strong message that Scotland cares deeply about our wild salmon and sea trout, and we hope that future fines act as a real deterrent against these wildlife crimes.”

The amendment comes because of Scotland’s Wild Salmon Strategy Implementation Plan which includes work focused on regulation, enforcement and reviewing the penalty regime for salmon poaching. The most recent annual progress update describes that work as active and notes ongoing requirements around training for water bailiffs.

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Salmon fishing provides economic benefits to rural Scotland.

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