The newly elected Board of Fisheries Management Scotland, the representative body for Scotland’s District Salmon Fishery Boards and Rivers and Fisheries Trusts has appointed Alister Jack as Chairman. Alister is the Chairman of the Annan District Salmon Fishery Board and Annan Fisheries Trust.

The first meeting of the Fisheries Management Scotland Board was held on 22 February and also saw the appointment of Douglas Dobie (Tweed Foundation), Roger Brook (Argyll District Salmon Fishery Board) and Brian Doran (Spey Fishery Board).

Alister Jack said: ‘I am delighted to have been appointed as the Chairman of Fisheries Management Scotland. I would like to thank Alasdair Laing and Andrew Wallace who have done a terrific job of bringing ASFB and RAFTS together, a process which has been extremely challenging. Now is the time for Fisheries Management Scotland to move forward on a positive footing to represent all our members and support the delivery of excellent, evidence-based fisheries management.

‘These are challenging times for the fisheries management sector, not least in relation to Wild Fisheries Reform and the numerous pressures faced by our fish and fisheries. Fisheries Management Scotland has a central role to play in addressing these issues.

‘I would also like to welcome Douglas, Roger and Brian on to the Board. The appointment process was created to allow us to ensure that the Board has the correct balance of expertise, geographical representation and a balance between professional managers, proprietors and trustees. I believe that we now have that balance and I am confident that the Board will work well to represent all our members and deliver benefits for fish and fisheries across Scotland.’