This Blog is written by Zilthai Kwasau, a Third-Year Law Student of University of Leicester

Introduction

The UK is quite renowned for its law and order. Judges wearing the classic white wigs, debating with flowery legal jargon, and serious discussions in the infamous Parliament about the passing of Acts of Parliament. However, what is quite striking is the bizarre and arguably, unserious laws that were passed in such an environment. Some strange laws are still active today. This blog will take a brief look at one law, the Salmon Act 1986. The historical, and cultural context of the formation of a few of these laws will be discussed as well as its relevance in our modern day.

Salmon Act 1986

According to the Salmon Act 1986, receiving or disposing of any fish, like salmon, can be done so in such a manner that it can be considered an offence.[1] When first hearing about this law of ‘handling fish suspiciously as titled in s.32[2] , it can cause amusement and disbelief. It seems far-fetched to believe the Act was made simply for the strange handling of fish. Especially when many other pressing issues need to be addressed by the law. This law was created for good reason despite the shock factor of the name since there was the rise of unlawful fishing especially around the eighties. This birthed a need for legislation to regulate the distribution of fish such as Salmon to prevent the crime of selling it illegally. [3]

Why was the Salmon Act a Priority

This context reveals the reasoning behind the passing of this law. There was a need to stop the illegal distribution of fish which was probably negatively affecting the fish business market. Despite this valid reasoning, one may struggle to understand the necessity of such a comprehensive Act that took time, debates, and discussions to pass especially in the context of a lot of political and social unrest in the UK. Perhaps the need for this act was to prioritize the protection of businesses. Nonetheless, issues such as the Brixton Riots in the early eighties happened due to racism, because of the stop-and-search laws.[4], one would think that it would be a priority to make laws to protect civilians typically profiled. No. This bizarre law demonstrates the urgency with which theft, especially in businesses, is dealt with. This suggests that there is a more serious attitude the UK government and Parliament may have likely had at the time for economic gain and integrity of businesses over other pressing issues such as racism.

Is the Salmon Act still relevant today?

Now this act initially seemed like obscure, outdated legislation, but having been passed in the eighties, which is recent, it calls into question whether this legislation is still active. BBC reported that a man was fined for breaching s.32 of the Salmon Act on the 12th of July 2024. [5]It’s clear that holds relevance, but not as pressing as others. Its relevance is on a much smaller scale in comparison to other issues.

Conclusion

While this blog does not seek to undermine the importance of the integrity of the fishing industry in the UK, it is questioning the need for such an in-depth law. It can be argued that its specificity could have allowed it to be incorporated into legislation such as the Theft Act 1967. There is a striking contrast between the racial issues instigated by the controversial stop and search laws at the time of its passing and the cohesive comprehensive passing of Salmon Law. It is quite unsettling since there are other problems the UK is still recovering from today that could be absolved through the passing of the law. Though there is a positive impact of the Salmon Act, it is still humorous seeing the investment of legislative effort made with issues to do with financial gain such as salmon in comparison to other issues.

References:

Adam Hale, 'Illegal fisherman caught hiding salmon up the sleeve' (BBC, 12 July 2024) <https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd1740yxx85o> accessed 6 October 2024

BBC, 'Brixton riots 1981: What happened 40 years ago in London? ' (BBC, 12 April 2021) <https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/50035769> accessed 6 October 2024

Policy paper, 'Fisheries Offences' (Gov.UK, 28 June 2024) <https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/offence-response-options-environment-agency/fisheries-offences#salmon-act-1986> accessed 6 October 2024

Salmon Act,1986

William Howarth, 'Handling Stolen Goods and Handling Salmon' [1989] 4(?) Aquacultural Possibilities and Legal Obstructions: Salmon Ranching in the United Kingdom

[1] Policy paper, 'Fisheries Offences' (Gov.UK, 28 June 2024)

[2] Salmon Act 1986, s.32

[3] William Howarth, 'Handling Stolen Goods and Handling Salmon' [1989] 4(?) Aquacultural Possibilities and Legal Obstructions: Salmon Ranching in the United Kingdom

[4] BBC, 'Brixton riots 1981: What happened 40 years ago in London? ' (BBC, 12 April 2021) 4

[5] Adam Hale, 'Illegal fisherman caught hiding salmon up sleeve' (BBC, 12 July 2024)