Following the lifting of the emergency salmon bylaw, The Dart Fisheries Association, including the DAA have agreed with the Environment Agency introduce a code of conduct in the interests of conservation.
Its terms are as follows.
SALMON
All anglers must engage in the careful handling of salmon caught and released at all times and must carry long handled forceps to enable the easy removal of hooks. All fish hooked and landed should remain in the landing net and not be removed from the water at any time prior to release.
All hooks should be barbless or de-barbed and doubles should be no larger than size 6.
If Devon minnows, rapalas or spinners are used only one barbless treble hook, no larger than size 6 per lure, is permitted. NB Spinning with Flying Cs is not permitted.
Before June 16th all salmon must be returned, as required by the EA’s National byelaw
After June 16th , with the objective of achieving at least a “catch and release” rate of 90%, as required by the EA in view of the continuing serious state of our salmon stocks, it is strongly recommended that all salmon be released unless unlikely to survive due, for example, to extensive bleeding. In any event all anglers should:
• Return the first salmon caught, thereafter keep only one fish in the season [ preferably a cock grilse] ie all hen salmon or hen grilse should be returned .
NB In the event of a further significant outbreak of fungal disease [ see below] the DFA/DAA will liase with the EA to ensure that fishing will only take place using an artificial fly, with all salmon to be returned, in order to protect salmon stocks.
SEA TROUT
Keep not more than 2 sea trout per night, with all fish over 6lbs, and all those under 12inches, being returned if possible.
Additionally: Anglers are asked to consider a conscience limit of 24 sea trout retained in the season.