Parliament Workbench
Data: Motions & questions to 19 Nov 2026

Written Question · S1W-13105 · Session 1

What rights the Crown Estates have with regard to (a) salmon fisheries, (b) trout fisheries and (c) any other fisheries.

Answered Asked by Michael Russell SNP Lodged 6 Feb 2001

The question

To ask the Scottish Executive what rights the Crown Estates have with regard to (a) salmon fisheries, (b) trout fisheries and (c) any other fisheries.

The answer

Answered by Rhona Brankin on 12 Mar 2001 · 34 days after it was lodged, 20 days after it was due

I am advised that the Crown Estate has around 170 let river fishings, and owns 50 coastal netting stations, six of which are let but only one of which is currently operated. It also owns, through acquisition, other salmon fishing rights within the boundaries of its five agricultural estates, of which the main ones are in Morayshire and Dumfriesshire.As is the case with all owners of salmon fishing rights, the Crown Estate's ownership of salmon fishing rights carry with them the lesser rights of fishing for freshwater fish, which include the rights to fish for trout. On the agricultural estates, the Crown Estate also has riparian rights to trout fishing, which are a pertinent of the land.Similarly, by virtue of riparian ownership, the Crown Estate has rights to other freshwater (i.e. coarse) fishing on its estates. It has no interest in freshwater fish farms. In relation to marine fish farms, the Crown Estate's rights stem from ownership of the relevant foreshore and/or seabed.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-13105 by reference.