We’d like to remind everyone that catch returns, including ‘Nil Returns’ are due now and should be submitted as soon as possible…

Everyone will be aware that the Salmon Conservation Category on the Lomond System has been upgraded from Cat 3 this year to Cat 2 Conservation status for season 2019 meaning that, subject to LLAIA conservation bye laws, anglers will once again have the choice of whether to take a salmon or not.

The LLAIA have a statutory obligation to forward a return of all migratory fish caught on the system to Marine Scotland by 31 December each year.  At present MS’s methodology is based purely on returns submitted over a rolling 5 year period.  Last season, with a bit of hard work, the LLAIA’s overall return to MS included the figures submitted by 85% of the membership. If this high return rate had been the norm in the past it’s unlikely that we would ever have been graded a Cat 3.

This year’s returns will be used in determining the conservation category for season 2020, so it’s important that every angler returns their figures to us including ‘Nil Catches’. We realise that some coarse anglers hold full memberships but require a return from all members to be made  before 30 November in order that the LLAIA annual returns can be collated and made to Marine Scotland before their deadline date of 31 December.

Forms have already been issued with permits but additional copies will be available at O’ Brien’s store at Bonhill Bridge and VOLDAC. These must be returned to us by 30 November to allow for the preparation and transmission of the final report to Marine Scotland. They should be posted to our office at:

L.L.A.I.A. Catch Returns
4 Woodside Place
Charing Cross
Glasgow
G3 7QF

There are also collection boxes located within O’ Brien’s and on the railings adjacent to VOLDAC.

So far we have received several forms without names and an undelivered notification (posted without stamp) which costs the association £2 each time. We could increase the cost of all tickets to cover return postage but would rather keep costs to members minimal

Under Section 5(b) of the LLAIA constitution members who do not submit before 30 November may be charged an administration fee on top of the annual membership. We don’t wish to invoke the imposition of fines on members and instead it was agreed at this year’s AGM that returns should be submitted before a renewal is granted.

Online Catch Register

The LLAIA online Catch Register is now live and can be visited our homepage link. This service can be accessed by full members, associate members, weekly and day ticket holders.’Nil Returns’ can also be recorded. Subscribers will receive email confirmation.

https://catchreturn.lochlomondangling.com/#/

**Subscribers with BTInternet email addresses may experience a problem. We have reported this to our web hosting service.

Many thanks to everyone who has already submitted.

Regards

LLAIA Committee