C FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

[Hoppy]

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE TEXT:

CCW = Countryside Council for Wales:
EA = Environment Agency for England & Wales:
EAW = Environment Agency Wales:
FRAWC = Flood Risk Assessment Wales Committee (formerly Flood Defence Committee):
NRA = National Rivers Authority:
WAG = Welsh Assembly Government.

C FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

AVIAN PREDATORS.

Any policy that gives precedence to the conservation of one protected species over the conservation of another protected species in all circumstances is untenable. Cormorants and goosanders are often significant predators of fish and are known to cause significant damage to fish stocks in certain situations. While cormorants have been the principal cause for concern in Wales, the distribution and numbers of the goosander has increased appreciably in recent years. Its feeding area extends to include the smaller nursery streams that are so important for the recruitment of juvenile salmon and trout and which are not so widely used by cormorants.

• The WAG should now adopt a formal policy on the issue of licences to control predation by cormorants on fish stocks in rivers similar to the more permissive and flexible approach now adopted in England. This approach should also be extended to allow the control of goosanders.
  
  
• In determining whether or not to grant a culling licence, WAG should favour those applications that:
  
  a) relate to an entire catchment rather than single isolated fisheries,
  b) are targeted at protecting the irreplaceable and highly vulnerable smolt run - especially in its lower reaches,
  c) relate to those rivers (especially SAC rivers) where salmon are failing to meet their science-based Conservation Limits because of depleted spawning stocks,
  d) would provide additional protection to other endangered and ‘designated’ species - such as shad, eels, bullhead and lampreys.

C.2.6. ARTIFICIAL STOCKING

Inappropriate programmes of stocking with artificially reared fish to improve existing fisheries in order support increased angling pressure can damage existing wild stocks in certain circumstances. The apparent reluctance of the EAW to support private stocking initiatives funded by angling interests is a cause of criticism on many rivers.

• The EAW should conduct a carefully structured programme of dialogue with the angling community at a local level to increase awareness of the problems and pitfalls of random programmes of artificial restocking. This should explain the EAW’s current policy on when stocking is necessary and desirable and when it is not.
  
  
• The benefits of ‘trigger’ stocking with the juvenile stages of fish of local origin to accelerate and maximise the benefits derived from investment in habitat improvement work and in opening up access to new spawning and nursery areas should be noted by the EAW.
  
  
• The EAW should work closely with those clubs that are keen to continue or initiate local small-scale programme of artificial stocking of salmon and trout and draw their attention to other low-cost/low-technology techniques for planting eggs in gravel and for rearing unfed fry in temporary bankside incubation units. These simple methods can be highly effective alternatives that avoid many of the risks associated with conventional hatcheries.
  
  
• The EAW should provide practical advice and support on private stocking programmes to ensure that the success or failure of such stocking can be monitored and evaluated properly.
  
  
• The EAW should implement the ‘Trout & Grayling Strategy’ and enter into local discussion on the agreed designation of ‘wild fishery protection zones’ within each catchment where any form of stocking with brown or rainbow trout will be proscribed.
  
  
• The fact that stocking with brown trout and rainbow trout of an already ‘takeable size’ can cause serious predation on juvenile parr and smolts should be drawn to the attention of angling interests who wish to continue this traditional practice.
  
  
• The benefits of ‘trigger’ stocking with the juvenile stages of fish of local origin to accelerate and maximise the benefits derived from investment in habitat improvement work and in opening up access to new spawning and nursery areas should be noted by the EAW.

C.3.5. DISEASES & PARASITES.

There is an ever present danger that diseases and parasites of fish may be introduced into the British Isles from abroad by different routes. This could be disastrous for fisheries if, as is likely, our geographically isolated native fish species have no natural resistance or immunity to infection.

• Efforts to combat the spread fish diseases and parasites among fish stocks in Wales must remain high on the list of priorities of Government and the EAW
  
  
• EA should promote greater public awareness of the risks of spreading diseases and parasites by the illegal transfer of fish between waters by anglers and the unconsented stocking of fish from uncertified commercial sources.
  
  
• The Government/EA should continue to draw attention to the risks of introducing the external parasite Gyrodactylus salaris into the UK on the clothing and equipment of anglers and canoeists who have visited Scandinavia, Russia and Baltic countries.
  
  
• Government should ensure that the highest levels of control are available to minimise the risks of parasites and diseases from being introduced from abroad. WAG should ensure that effective countermeasures and contingency plans are in place and that clear legislative powers are available to allow an immediate and necessary response when required.
  
  
• EAW should encourage the owners and occupiers of fishing to take responsibility for protecting their own fisheries and to consider the introduction of vetting schemes for those anglers who may have returned from fishing in an infected area.