Salmon fishery case study

Nigel ran a traditional salmon fishery, building his business to catch an average of 600 salmon a year. However, when he received a letter from the Environment Agency he found that his catch was to be reduced by 95% – only 30 fish a year – depriving him of his income.

With his home, livelihood and wealth at stake, he contacted the fishery experts in our Agriculture and Rural affairs team for advice and expertise. The team challenged the decision in the High Court through judicial review, arguing that the Environment Agency had not shown sufficiently that his fishing was having a material impact on the salmon population where he was, and that their limits deprived him of his rights to fish under his lease.

Nigel’s case succeeded – and he was compensated for his loss of earnings.