EIR/202400422824 · FOI/EIR · not held
Rod numbers on the River Dee, Aberdeenshire: EIR release
Information requested
The entire record you have for the number of rod days as returned for the whole river [Dee, Aberdeenshire] for as many years as you currently have.
Response
I enclose a copy of the information you requested.
This was the first request we have received for rod effort data and it was quite narrow in scope. In responding to your request we have had to create a new dataset, since we do not hold rod effort data for individual rivers. However, until we had tried to do this for you, we did not know whether creating this dataset would be a simple compilation or would require complex skill and judgement. Where the latter situation applies, we do not hold the requested information and an exemption would apply. Having now created the dataset for the Dee, we do hold the information you have requested and so are able to release it. That may not be the case in other circumstances.
We first began to collect information on rod effort in 2019, when we received feedback that many fisheries found it difficult to collect and supply the data. Return rates were therefore lower than we hoped for. Having advised and guided fisheries on how to obtain the required information, we now receive less feedback of that nature and rod effort return rates are now such that we intend to publish rod effort data for Fishery Districts in the Official Statistics going forward.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Detected exemption language
Where the latter situation applies, we do not hold the requested information and an exemption would apply.