Licences are issued by the Regional Fisheries Boards in accordance with the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order 1980-1997. This Order regulates the issue of salmon fishing licences for fishing engines, other than rod and line, for use in public and private fisheries. The Order, which replaces the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order 1977, authorises the issue of commercial salmon fishing licences by Regional Fisheries Boards and prescribes the criteria under which those licences may be issued. The Order prescribes also revised maximum numbers of commercial salmon licences which may be issued by Regional Boards (see below).
Licences are distributed on the Fishery District basis. In each region the number of licences issued is capped as a conservation measure. The criteria controlling the issuing of licences give priority to applications from fishermen already involved in commercial salmon fishing. Applications are made in November on foot of notices in local news papers.
Download the application form for salmon snap net licences 2010 [.doc, 32KB]