Legal
Name of company
The River Girvan District Salmon Fishery Board
Registered office
C/O Ayrshire Rivers Trust, 2 Crosshill Cottages, Near Mauchline KA5 5HJ
Contact details
Stuart Brabbs, Clerk to the River Girvan District Salmon Fishery Board (Since 10/09/2025)
Governance
The River Girvan District Salmon Fishery Board is empowered by Scottish Ministers as detailed within the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003
Hereafter known as the Act, this legislation stipulates the ways in which DSFBs must operate, their duties, powers and their role in fishery management. Although this is the key legislation pertaining to salmon fishing and fisheries, it is not the only legislation applicable.
To ensure the Board operates within and is compliant with all aspects of the Act, there are several published documents linked below that detail our AGM and Proprietor's Meeting arrangements, requirements for Board meetings, financial statements, minutes of all Board meetings, complaints procedure, requirements for calling notices for meetings etc.
Downloads
1.Girvan Proprietor's Catch Return Form
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As documents are approved by the Board, they will be uploaded to this page and available for download
Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland ) Act 2003 and Salmon Conservation Regs.
The law relating to salmon and freshwater fisheries is complex. There are different provisions for different species, including permissible methods for fishing, close times, catch and release requirements and other regulations. A key feature is the way the law differentiates between salmon and sea trout (migratory salmonids) and brown trout and other freshwater fish. Additional to the key governing legislation – the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003, all salmon rivers and fishing in Scotland are subject to the Salmon Conservation Regulations that have applied since 2016. Locally there may be other restrictions such as certain lures or baits that must be observed.
Water of Girvan Code of Practice for Anglers - 2026
2025 & 2026 seasons
The government has classified the River Girvan as ‘Poor’ for 2026, therefore management action is required to reduce exploitation, i.e. mandatory catch and release is required.” It is an offence to kill wild salmon on any Category 3 'Poor' river.
Riparian owners and anglers, including day ticket holders, are expected to assist the Board in its statutory obligations. Accordingly, all anglers will be expected to adhere to the Code of Practice below from the start of the 2025 season through 2026. The Code of Practice will be reviewed annually.
- Salmon fishing should be delayed until 15th March to help protect kelts (Spawned salmon returning to sea)
- All salmon must be returned unharmed to the river
- All sea trout must be returned unharmed to the river
- All salmon or grilse (one sea winter salmon) caught must be reported to the controller of the fishing within two days.
- Barbless or circle hooks are encouraged when worming.
- Natural prawn and shrimp fishing is prohibited by Law on all beats.
- Only one treble hook to be used when spinning. Barbless, semi barbless and crushed barbed hooks are preferable.
- When practical, all fish should be unhooked without removing them from the river
- Anglers must have written permission with them at all times when fishing.
- Pemits must be produced when requested by bailiffs.
- Those controlling fishing must submit catch returns to the Clerk of the Board when requested and on time.
Farmed and pink salmon should be killed and reported to the DSFB and Ayrshire Rivers Trust. Photographs and scales from the fish should be taken as evidence and supplied to Ayrshire Rivers Trust for examination. Trust biologists can advise on how to take samples or preserve matierial for analysis.
It is the anglers responsibility to know how to identfy escaped farmed and pink salmon.