Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975

[^key-70efe41b27df322784352c3ce3f27ec5]: Words in s. 26(6) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 140(6)(a) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-0d3b91e5bb8f8049123f0af531523004]: Words in s. 26(6) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 140(6)(b) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-aecbfb0be77e6f9427ab0c879147da24]: Words in s. 26(7) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 140(7) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-7561df404fe84fba90acd211ffb3756c]: Words in s. 27A substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 141 (with Sch. 7)

[^key-3efb2e060435d1a2df15d26059c3c1db]: Words in s. 30 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 142 (with Sch. 7)

[^key-edab62b4950523aab4abaae5cbd44209]: Words in s. 31(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 143(2) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-55e9fa7b998c71fb70907430d88ce4af]: Words in s. 31(1)(c) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 143(3) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-0ffd4034a3c12dc1465f5dd9a46eaf56]: S. 32(1A) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 144(3) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-2ce75f7c2c78d9812c7099b4d7da5017]: Words in s. 32(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 144(2)(a) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-35f5e90427083adce746d589b10d0e8d]: Words in s. 32(1)(a) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 144(2)(b) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-01828f4dd8e650ae5db7e48c3f3ed168]: Words in s. 33(2) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 145 (with Sch. 7)

[^key-51b20b92ab2c7d99ddf7e41773bc17b9]: Words in s. 33(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 145 (with Sch. 7)

[^key-3585ef0bf645a388c03e291dad3b4d57]: Words in s. 35 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 146 (with Sch. 7)

[^key-7a2441a3944c7e959bb3f3dacfc5af52]: Words in s. 37A substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 147(2) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-86b4b1c43b334eacea2889aaba00389b]: S. 37A(5A) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 147(3) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-40c61625772488f47cb44bb9f3ecb97f]: Words in s. 40 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 148 (with Sch. 7)

[^key-ade02b2eed2cce270dcc40afec3408d2]: Words in s. 41(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 149(2)(b) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-ab5c56b1fe231a92c0c956591a150b31]: Words in s. 41(3) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 149(3) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-4205a60c64f72bc22975ed7a5d18c0f7]: Words in s. 41(1) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 149(2)(a) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-af6c0164885672aec50797483648ee98]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 1(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(2)(a) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-1ffe62c6935f1cb694d9a07e2764343f]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 1(2) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(2)(b) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-bb240ad2c3d7925143402d5920006ac5]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 3 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(3)(a) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-e4aa26c552f745eb3784162998500d87]: Word in Sch. 2 para. 3 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(3)(b) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-e0dfd8a74a61e8d115178cc3845a6f4e]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 4 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(4) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-df250932a2c34e4797341abf14ffd1b6]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 5 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(5)(a) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-88716e28b7fe18fa70661b96f6062b75]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 5 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(5)(b) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-61fed31bb24d8d5eb2a61c63e311399d]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 7 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(6) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-e29987398ef142912cace7b1b34c0e2f]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 8 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(7) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-407fa295f3c64b3999f03864570eaff5]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 10 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(9)(a) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-2fe711b7a08fe9d5f9988fca83dc62d8]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 10 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(9)(b) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-99ee383b42d1afed84fecb71a48d6a20]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 11 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(10) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-ef4f1f168e74a39bcde506369aa271ee]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 13 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(11)(a) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-dd404ef36074d760c6db45e4c582f88f]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 13 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(11)(b) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-948be9d7a015cb7d04bd7d1c1b5fd7fe]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 14A(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(12) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-5169991a3013e518afb20820a1615605]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 14A(4) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(12) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-21d412872709664e521847be86f3ca43]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 15 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(13) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-816df368b87cedf351145ab468a1ece5]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 18 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(14) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-8ca4ea6877bc56e2b794594b2c2c6cf5]: Words in Sch. 3 para. 39(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 151 (with Sch. 7)

[^key-22cf3e068cabd3b060f5cdc53229227d]: Words in Sch. 4 para. 6(b) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 152(2) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-7ec569128aaffdf00eb28677bf6832b4]: Words in Sch. 4 para. 11(a) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 152(3)(a) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-98ec83f24dffe982797b2d9c9b8ebde4]: Words in Sch. 4 para. 11(b) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 152(3)(b) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-baaa26629c19ca5b65f742a6b16af91c]: Words in Sch. 4 para. 12 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 152(4) (with Sch. 7)

[^M_F_20d5bf54-e72b-43ed-fc48-7ba03a7554ca]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 9(1)(c) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(8)(a) (with Sch. 7)

[^M_F_cd0559cc-fcdb-409f-c36f-b8b3cdbf8c1f]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 9(2)(c) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(8)(a) (with Sch. 7)

[^M_F_1bd55fc4-8002-460e-e7b3-c8b8948cb516]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 9(3) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(8)(b)(i) (with Sch. 7)

[^M_F_5de84fcf-766b-4701-e5ab-3bbf7cf85448]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 9(3)(a) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(8)(b)(ii) (with Sch. 7)

[^M_F_28106b12-7d34-4195-bfb4-5dcb6dde54ab]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 9(3)(b) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 150(8)(b)(ii) (with Sch. 7)

[^key-6f4c2a4b875139af5708634988a75926]: Words in s. 30 inserted (19.1.2015) by The Keeping and Introduction of Fish (England and River Esk Catchment Area) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/10), regs. 1(1)(b), 18(1) (with reg. 3)

[^key-f50e06a59529e19fc8a372eb8f7c3d81]: Words in s. 39(1)(b) inserted (19.1.2015) by The Keeping and Introduction of Fish (England and River Esk Catchment Area) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/10), regs. 1(1)(b), 18(2) (with reg. 3)

[^key-03fe442ee37c9d07c2ef1cfd2f48c701]: S. 30 repealed (W.) (20.1.2015) by The Keeping and Introduction of Fish (Wales) Regulations 2014 (No. 3303), regs. 1(2), 18 (with reg. 3)

[^key-436c19741dedd1bc727d56306751b341]: Words in Sch. 4 para. 1(2) substituted (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(a) (with reg. 5(1))

[^key-9c057630cd3a240f9d58679c924e8cbc]: Words in Sch. 4 para. 1(2) substituted (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(b) (with reg. 5(1))

[^M_F_d0612c64-abd4-4c85-8c4f-50e40f156bc0]: Words added (E.W. and as mentioned in s. 43(4) of the amending act (border rivers)) by Salmon Act 1986 (c. 62, SIF 52:2), ss. 34, 43(4)

[^M_F_e2a172f6-1a7e-4c42-e5e0-eba59b358f8f]: Words in s. 5(2)(b) inserted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 3(3); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 15(b)

[^M_F_9e7dd1b4-7a3e-4e2c-871d-8bfe6cd0b18d]: Words in Sch. 2 para. 11 repealed (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 217(6)(a), 324(3), Sch. 22 Pt. 5(B); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 27(b)

[^key-b3961807ca25f0b02c2a5de3f4e96214]: S. 4 modified (1.1.2017) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1154), reg. 1(1), Sch. 23 paras. 1(3), 2 Table 9 (with regs. 1(3), 77-79, Sch. 4)

[^key-e16e7539be03339056c2b84581880838]: Words in s. 5(5)(c) substituted (1.1.2017) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1154), reg. 1(1), Sch. 29 para. 4 (with regs. 1(3), 77-79, Sch. 4)

[^key-26da7969131f7812d9d8ab2850867e54]: S. 37A functions transferred (W.) (24.5.2018) by The Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/644), arts. 1(1), 15(1)

[^key-337ad8ea5e20197760e229ec495bec25]: S. 38 functions transferred (W.) (24.5.2018) by The Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/644), arts. 1(1), 15(2)

[^key-5f54379d0a084db5dce50089cbd965a6]: Words in Sch. 4 para. 10 substituted (28.6.2022) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), s. 51(3), Sch. 1 para. 4(c)

[^key-867fed110c0870b9bf3e74c23c004a69]: Words in Sch. 4 para. 10(a) substituted (28.6.2022) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), s. 51(3), Sch. 1 para. 4(a)

[^key-643cdb4c1b0680232ac48ecd44ff24d4]: Sch. 4 para. 10(b) omitted (28.6.2022) by virtue of Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), s. 51(3), Sch. 1 para. 4(b)

River Severn.

Roe, spawning and unclean fish, etc.

Roe, spawning and unclean fish, etc.

Power to require production of fishing licences.

40A

The appropriate national authority may by order specify fish of any description for the purposes of any or all of the following—

• (a) section 1, 2, 25 or 27A above;

• (b) section 32 of the Salmon Act 1986;

• (c) paragraph 6 of Schedule 25 to the Water Resources Act 1991;

• (d) section 6(6) of the Environment Act 1995.

40B

• (1) An order under section 1, 25 or 40A above may make different provision for different purposes (and, in particular, different provision in relation to different areas or waters).

• (2) Such an order is to be made by statutory instrument.

• (3) A statutory instrument containing such an order is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of—

• (a) either House of Parliament, in the case of an order made by the Secretary of State;

• (b) the National Assembly for Wales, in the case of an order made by the Welsh Ministers.

Repeals etc.

Nets.

Fixed engines.

Limitation of fishing licences.

Power to enter lands.

Power to apprehend persons fishing illegally ....

Provisions supplementary to sections 31 to 35.

River Severn.

Repeals etc.

Fishing weirs.

Close seasons and close times—fixed engines and obstructions.

Licences to fish.

Limitation of fishing licences.

Unlicensed fishing.

Unauthorised fishing etc

27A

• (1) The appropriate agency may authorise a person to use any means, other than a licensable means of fishing, to fish for—

• (a) salmon, trout, eels, lampreys, smelt and freshwater fish; and

• (b) fish of such other description as may be specified for the purposes of this section by order under section 40A below.

• (2) An application for an authorisation under this section must be in such form as the appropriate agency may specify.

• (3) An authorisation under this section must be in writing, but subject to that may be in such form as the appropriate agency may determine.

• (4) An authorisation under this section—

• (a) must be granted for a specified period of time;

• (b) may be granted to more than one person;

• (c) may be limited as to the waters in respect of which it is granted;

• (d) may be subject to conditions.

• (5) The appropriate agency may at any time, on application or on its own initiative—

• (a) amend an authorisation under this section;

• (b) revoke an authorisation under this section.

• (6) In determining whether to grant, amend or revoke an authorisation the appropriate agency must consider the effect of doing so on—

• (a) fisheries in the area to which the authorisation relates; and

• (b) the aquatic or marine environment in that area.

• (7) An authorisation under this section granted to a body corporate—

• (a) may, if the authorisation so specifies, apply in relation to any individual acting on behalf of that body (as well as to the body corporate); or

• (b) may, if the authorisation so specifies, apply only in relation to individuals named in the authorisation when acting on behalf of the body (as well as to the body corporate).

• (8) The appropriate agency may charge a fee for the grant of an authorisation under this section.

• (9) Where the appropriate agency determines standard fees for the grant of authorisations of particular descriptions, it must publish them.

• (10) Where—

• (a) the appropriate agency has determined a standard fee for the grant of an authorisation of a particular description, but

• (b) the appropriate agency considers, in any case, that special circumstances apply to the grant of an authorisation of that description,

it may charge a fee of another amount.

27B

• (1) A person is guilty of an offence if, by any means other than a licensable means of fishing, he fishes for or takes any fish in circumstances where—

• (a) the fishing or taking may be authorised under section 27A above, but

• (b) he is not authorised to fish for or take the fish under that section (or is so authorised but the fishing or taking is in breach of any condition of his authorisation).

• (2) A person is guilty of an offence if he has an instrument in his possession, other than an instrument which is a licensable means of fishing, with intent to use it to fish for or take fish in circumstances where—

• (a) the fishing or taking may be authorised under section 27A above, but

• (b) he is not authorised to fish for or take the fish under that section (or is so authorised but the fishing or taking would be in breach of any condition of an authorisation under that section).

Fish rearing licences.

Orders and warrants to enter suspected premises.

Power to apprehend persons fishing illegally ....

Power to require production of fishing licences.

Prosecution etc. of offences.

Power to specify fish

Citation etc.

Historic installations

14A

• (1) Where a fishing licence is granted in respect of an historic installation, the appropriate agency may at any time, subject to this paragraph, impose conditions on its use pursuant to the licence.

• (2) Conditions under sub-paragraph (1) above are to be imposed by notice in writing to the person holding the licence.

• (3) A notice under sub-paragraph (1) above may be varied or revoked by a further such notice.

• (4) The appropriate agency may only impose conditions under sub-paragraph (1) above where it considers that it is necessary to do so for the protection of any fishery.

Roe, spawning and unclean fish, etc.

Nets.

Fixed engines.

Power of appropriate agency to use screens etc. to limit movements of salmon and trout.

Boxes and cribs in weirs and dams.

Close seasons and close times.

Licences to fish.

Limitation of fishing licences.

Unlicensed fishing.

Authorisation of fishing otherwise than by licensable means

General powers and duties of water authorities and Minister.

Power to enter lands.

Power to apprehend persons fishing illegally ....

Power to require production of fishing licences.

Provisions supplementary to sections 31 to 35.

Works below high water mark.

River Severn.

Repeals etc.

Citation etc.