The Board of Fisheries Management Scotland has appointed Richard Sankey as Chairman. Richard is the Chairman of the Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board and Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust.

Over the last 25 years Richard has been actively involved with a number of wild fish and fishery interest groups and organisations, both in the north of Scotland and also in the south of England. He is currently a member of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fisheries Research Steering Committee.

Also joining the Board are Lorraine Hawkins and Peter Langdale. Lorraine is the River Director for the Dee DSFB and River Dee Trust. Peter is a member of the Nith District Fishery Board and a Trustee of the Atlantic Salmon Trust.

Richard Sankey said: ‘I am delighted to have been appointed as the Chairman of Fisheries Management Scotland. I would like to thank Alister Jack who has helped to establish Fisheries Management Scotland as a key influencer in the fisheries and freshwater sector. I would also like to welcome Lorraine and Peter on to the Board, and I look forward to working with my fellow Board members, and staff to continue to offer high quality representation for our fisheries management community for the benefit of our fish, fisheries and the environment on which they depend.

‘Whilst I recognise that these are challenging times for the fisheries management sector, there are also opportunities to make real progress. There is now a recognition within Scottish Government that more needs to be done to address the range of pressures that our fish and fisheries face. It is also important to emphasise that, despite the current low marine survival of salmon and sea trout, Scotland continues to offer a world class angling experience for a range of fish species that compares favourably with anywhere else in the world.’