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Salmon fishing 'could net £550m' Salmon fishing 'could net £550m'
(about 8 hours later)
Salmon fishing could deliver a £550m windfall to the Scottish economy over the next five years, an industry conference has heard.Salmon fishing could deliver a £550m windfall to the Scottish economy over the next five years, an industry conference has heard.
The Scottish Estates Business Group was told that a drive to promote salmon fishing as an affordable sport had paid major dividends.The Scottish Estates Business Group was told that a drive to promote salmon fishing as an affordable sport had paid major dividends.
The conference heard that salmon fishing was now among the most popular activities for visitors to Scotland.The conference heard that salmon fishing was now among the most popular activities for visitors to Scotland.
However, speakers called for more to be done to promote other forms of fishing.However, speakers called for more to be done to promote other forms of fishing.
The meeting brought together rural experts, tourism chiefs and representatives of the salmon fishing industry.The meeting brought together rural experts, tourism chiefs and representatives of the salmon fishing industry.
Angling has a significant impact on the Scottish economy and will play an important role in helping to achieve our joint industry ambition to double tourism revenues by 2015 Philip RiddleVisitScotlandAngling has a significant impact on the Scottish economy and will play an important role in helping to achieve our joint industry ambition to double tourism revenues by 2015 Philip RiddleVisitScotland
Andrew Wallace, director of the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, said the angling industry formed a "pivotal part" of the rural economy, employing over 2,800 people and contributing about £113m per year. Andrew Wallace, director of the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, said the angling industry formed a "pivotal part" of the rural economy, employing more than 2,800 people and contributing about £113m per year.
He added that Scotland's world-class lochs and rivers should be promoted globally to entice even more tourists to visit.He added that Scotland's world-class lochs and rivers should be promoted globally to entice even more tourists to visit.
Mr Wallace said: "I am confident that this industry will grow over the coming years, contributing £550m over the next five years.Mr Wallace said: "I am confident that this industry will grow over the coming years, contributing £550m over the next five years.
"If Scotland's freshwater fisheries industry did not exist, it would mean approximately £113m per year going elsewhere. It is crucial that we do not allow this to happen."If Scotland's freshwater fisheries industry did not exist, it would mean approximately £113m per year going elsewhere. It is crucial that we do not allow this to happen.
"It is very clear that if we continue to market salmon and the many other types of superb fishing on offer in Scotland as an affordable and accessible sport enjoyed on world class rivers and lochs, we can develop revenues and jobs across the country.""It is very clear that if we continue to market salmon and the many other types of superb fishing on offer in Scotland as an affordable and accessible sport enjoyed on world class rivers and lochs, we can develop revenues and jobs across the country."
Philip Riddle, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said Scotland was "known as being the historic home of salmon fishing." Philip Riddle, chief executive of VisitScotland, said Scotland was "known as being the historic home of salmon fishing."
'Significant impact''Significant impact'
He added: "Our Fish in Scotland brochure and FishScotland website demonstrate to angling visitors that Scotland really is a must visit, must return destination for the sport.He added: "Our Fish in Scotland brochure and FishScotland website demonstrate to angling visitors that Scotland really is a must visit, must return destination for the sport.
"Angling has a significant impact on the Scottish economy and will play an important role in helping to achieve our joint industry ambition to double tourism revenues by 2015.""Angling has a significant impact on the Scottish economy and will play an important role in helping to achieve our joint industry ambition to double tourism revenues by 2015."
Roddy Jackson, deputy chairman of the SEBG, said it was important the industry didn't stand still if it wanted to compete with global rivals. Roddy Jackson, deputy chairman of the SEBG, said it was important the industry did not stand still if it wanted to compete with global rivals.
"As we look to the future of the industry, building on our recent successes is crucial. Our competitors certainly are not standing still", Mr Jackson said."As we look to the future of the industry, building on our recent successes is crucial. Our competitors certainly are not standing still", Mr Jackson said.
"Scotland still has considerable opportunities to develop wild trout fishing, coarse and sea fishing, all of which remain largely untapped.""Scotland still has considerable opportunities to develop wild trout fishing, coarse and sea fishing, all of which remain largely untapped."