Membership Requirements

THE ASSOCIATION OF SCOTTISH STILLWATER FISHERIES MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR MEMBERSHIP.

All fisheries wishing entry into the ASSF must comply with the following standards.

1. Entry is only available to fisheries that are run solely as a commercial enterprise.

2. Fisheries wishing first time membership of the Association must have been in full time operation, under the present management, for a minimum of one year. Fisheries wishing to rejoin the Association, due to a change in ownership, should normally have been in operation, under the new management, for a minimum of six months.

3. The entrance to a fishery must be properly and legally signposted from the nearest public road and must be easily accessible on adequate road surfaces.

4. The information point/permit position must be clearly indicated and be accessible to the public during all periods when the fishery is open for ticket sales. Fishery costs, session times, rules and regulations must be clearly displayed at this point.

5. Toilet facilities must be available and open at all times during the hours of business. Toilets must be kept clean and have suitable hand cleaning and drying facilities. If facilities are advertised as being suitable for disabled anglers then a disabled toilet, to the accepted standard, must be provided.

6. Weighing in facilities must be provided with suitable, accurate scales being available to record catches. Provision must be made for anglers to record their catches at the same point.

7. Fishing areas and any excluded areas must be suitably marked or easily understood.

8. Where boat fishing is available, boats should be as watertight as is practicable and must be suitable for the method of fishing. Oars must be provided in all boats, including those fitted with engines. Life jackets, to the relevant British Standard, must be available for the use of every boat angler.

9. Litter bins must be freely distributed and all reasonable steps to be taken to ensure that the fishery and its immediate environs are kept litter free.

10. All paths, fishing platforms, bridges, steps or any other structures must be properly maintained.

11. Recent catch returns must be kept and made available for inspection on reasonable request.

12. Public Liability Insurance cover for at least £1,000,000 must be held at the fishery. A copy of the valid certificate must be made available for inspection by the Association on joining. Annual renewal of Public Liability Insurance is a condition of membership of the Association.

13. A certificate of Employers' Liability Insurance must be held at the fishery if staff are employed. If appropriate, a copy of the valid certificate must be made available for inspection by the Association on joining. If appropriate, annual renewal of Employers' Liability Insurance is a condition of membership of the Association.

14. Each fishery must comply with all relevant Health and Safety legislation.

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In all cases the final decision on admission to the Association rests solely with the Council of the Association.

As well as the items listed above, fisheries seeking admission must be seen to be carrying out good, accepted fishery practice with regard to customer service, fish management and environmental considerations. Particular emphasis will be placed on any actual or perceived negative environmental impact.

All prospective members of the Association will be encouraged to join their local Tourist Board as a Trade Member.

Once accepted into membership, all fisheries are liable to spot checks to ensure they are still complying with the Recommended Minimum Standards of Membership. Any fishery found to be failing in these standards will be informed, in writing, and given reasonable time to rectify the problem. The level of time given will vary depending on the seriousness of the failure. Should the problem not be rectified then membership of the Association will be withdrawn.