Buyout of Northumbrian Drift Nets

In 2003 a buyout of the Northumbrian drift net fishery came to fruition.

The Northumrian drift net fishery intercepted salmon, grilse and sea trout heading not only for rivers in north-east England but also those in eastern Scotland, especially the Tweed, Forth and Tay.

The Government contributed a significant sum of money which was more than matched by private contributions from east coast rivers which resulted in around 80% of the netting licences being surrendered. The remaining 20% are on a gradual phase out and licences will be surrendered as netsmen retire.

It has been estimated that this buyout will have saved as many as 5,000 fish heading to the Tay each year. Tay proprietors, anglers and ghillies were especially generous in contributing to the buy out.

The effects of the fishery were naturally most acute in the rivers of NE England and since the reduction in the fishery numbers of returning fish have increased. This has been dramatically demonstrated from the results from the fish counter on the River Tyne.

(data obtained from the Environment Agency)