Post by Hoppy on Nov 17, 2005 20:43:28 GMT -1
K OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.
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.
HERITAGE NET FISHERIES.
Lave nets, coracle nets and compass nets are three ancient forms of commercial fishing for salmon and sea trout that are unique to Wales. They represent an important part of our historical and cultural heritage. The continuation of these fisheries is at risk as the existing netsmen give up their licences and are not replaced by new recruits to keep them alive as a ‘living tradition’.
K.2.2. NAVIGATION ACCESS.
The continued demand by the BCU/WCA for the law to be changed to extend the ‘right to roam’ to provide canoeists with a totally unrestricted right of access at all times to the rivers and lakes of Wales will remain an insurmountable obstacle to any useful progress in achieving properly negotiated formal access agreements with riparian and fishery owners throughout much of Wales. Nevertheless, some fishery owners have indicated that they might be prepared to allow canoeists access to their sections of river during the winter closed-season period for fishing. This would be subject to certain very specific conditions determined by the fishery owners and on a ‘trial’ basis that is not negotiable at this initial stage. If this is successful, it could do much to facilitate to properly negotiated access agreements elsewhere on terms acceptable to the anglers.
Anyone wishing to comment should do so before 1st January 2006 to: -
Dr Stephen Marsh-Smith, Wyeside Cottages, Erwood, Builth Wells, Powys LD2 3SZ.
E-mail address = stephen@wyeuskfoundation.org
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.
HERITAGE NET FISHERIES.
Lave nets, coracle nets and compass nets are three ancient forms of commercial fishing for salmon and sea trout that are unique to Wales. They represent an important part of our historical and cultural heritage. The continuation of these fisheries is at risk as the existing netsmen give up their licences and are not replaced by new recruits to keep them alive as a ‘living tradition’.
- EAW should consider the introduction of a special low cost category of recreational fishing licence for lave, nets, coracle nets and compass nets. This would provide netsmen with a choice between the normal commercial fishing licence at the normal cost or a much cheaper recreational licence. The number of recreational licences available at any time would be within the number fixed by each local Net Limitation Order and the licences holders would be required to fish with traditional methods and materials. They should not be allowed to sell their catch. In addition to any other local restrictions that may be necessary, the recreational net fishing licence would be subject to the same restrictions to conserve stocks that are imposed on the recreational rod fishing licence on the same river.
- Practical support and assistance should be provided to these heritage instruments to explore ways of generating a supplementary income from within the rural craft industry and local tourism sectors of the local economy.
- Assistance should be provided to each of these three types of heritage instrument to explore ways of generating supplementary income from within the ‘rural craft industry’ and tourism sectors of the local economy.
K.2.2. NAVIGATION ACCESS.
The continued demand by the BCU/WCA for the law to be changed to extend the ‘right to roam’ to provide canoeists with a totally unrestricted right of access at all times to the rivers and lakes of Wales will remain an insurmountable obstacle to any useful progress in achieving properly negotiated formal access agreements with riparian and fishery owners throughout much of Wales. Nevertheless, some fishery owners have indicated that they might be prepared to allow canoeists access to their sections of river during the winter closed-season period for fishing. This would be subject to certain very specific conditions determined by the fishery owners and on a ‘trial’ basis that is not negotiable at this initial stage. If this is successful, it could do much to facilitate to properly negotiated access agreements elsewhere on terms acceptable to the anglers.
- WAG should support and fund a recent initiative from within the Welsh angling community for a pilot study to identify a number of strategically located sites on non-navigable rivers in Mid-Wales and South Wales where the fishery and riparian owners may be prepared to allow canoeing to take place for a trial period on the basis of terms and conditions to be specified by those owners.
- The EA has adopted a policy of actively promoting the increased use of water space in England & Wales for wider public benefit. This will inevitably lead to conflicts with established angling interests on many game fishing rivers in Wales and may detract from the existing social and economic benefits of those fisheries to the local community. The EAW should investigate and quantify the social and economic disbenefits of promoting any increased access to game fishing rivers by other recreational users before taking any further steps to do so. This investigation should also consider any negative effects on wildlife conservation.
Anyone wishing to comment should do so before 1st January 2006 to: -
Dr Stephen Marsh-Smith, Wyeside Cottages, Erwood, Builth Wells, Powys LD2 3SZ.
E-mail address = stephen@wyeuskfoundation.org