CAMPAIGN FOR THE PROTECTION OF WELSH FISHERIES

[highplains]

As you are all aware, the report detailing the findings of the review into the Environment Agency's enforcement policy, was due to be presented to the Welsh Assembly at the beginning of March. The reasons for the delay in this happening are perhaps understandable given the political situation at the moment. I have asked the Environment Agency when the review is to be made public but to date have not had the courtesy of a reply.

In preparation for the presentation of our response to the review, there will follow a couple of postings:

1. Is the official announcement of the start of the campaign by requesting your formal support. This is required to give the campaign "weight"

2. This is the official Mission Statement for the campaign. This will be posted twice. First in Welsh, out of respect for the nation and people of Wales. I regret that we do not have the facility to provide all details bi-lingually and ask that you are understanding of that fact.

Please PM me with your support so that I can add your name or the name of the Club you represent to the list. This is our big chance to make a difference and influence the future of Welsh fisheries. As you will see from the Mission Statement, we hope the campaign will broaden to include England later. Scotland, as you know, works differently.

I appeal for your support, without it this effort will founder and come to nought. With it we will win!!!!

Thank you in anticipation

[highplains]

CAMPAIGN FOR THE PROTECTION OF WELSH FISHERIES

This is a formal announcement of the launch of the Campaign for the Protection of Welsh Fisheries, the Mission Statement for which will follow shortly.
As the statement will make clear this is a one issue campaign: to persuade the Environment Agency Wales to employ a meaningful level of fully qualified Water Bailiffs, sufficient to adequately protect fish stocks of the waters of Wales.
Whist the campaign is founded on a single issue, it is not designed to detract from or diminish the many other areas of activity currently supported and pursued by the Environmental Agency and the Welsh Assembly Government. These activities include the opening up of access to new spawning grounds, river cleaning and protection, preventing bank side erosion etc. The list goes on and all these operations are indeed worthy. However they will serve only to improve the aesthetic appearance of fishless rivers if the current unsustainable illegal exploitation of our fish stocks is permitted to continue unabated.
Following the publication of the Mission Statement you are asked to present the Aims and Objectives to your clubs and societies and seek there approval to support, and endorse The Campaign. This request is made to give The Campaign a legitimacy the Environment Agency and the Welsh Assembly Government will have to acknowledge and will counter any claim that we are but a nuisance minority group.
Please add your names to The Campaign by emailing or sending a ‘PM’ confirming your support: as an individual, club or organisations representative, so that these can added to any future press releases or communications with The Welsh Assembly Government, The Environment Agency, Local Authority’s and so on.
Those of you who disagree with aims and objectives are encouraged to voice your opinions so that we may consider any counter arguments. This is an opportunity the Environment Agency Wales does not seem to offer. If the Environment Agency can not or will not defend the interests of the angling community, which apart from the many social benefits it offers, is worth £1.3 billion to the English and Welsh economy’s (EA figure, not ours), then we must campaign to encourage them and the “powers that be” to do so.
We believe this is the first angling campaign to unit representatives of the Sea, Course and Game Angling Communities. All are encouraged to add their support.
Signed by, in alphabetical order:


1. P.Addecott: Hon Secretary Glamorgan Anglers Club Ltd (Representation of Coarse and Game Angling South East Wales Area)
2. Adrian Corrigan: Asst Secretary, Glamorgan Anglers Club Ltd
3. A. Cuthbert: Research Officer Federation of Clwyd Angling Club
4. Brian Dickman: Head Bailiff, Glamorgan Anglers Club Ltd
5. S. Evans: Welsh Co-ordinator for the Sea Anglers Conservation Network.
6. W. Griffiths: Honorary Secretary of the Ogmore Angling Association
7. John Taylor: Chairman, Glamorgan Anglers Club Ltd.

[highplains]

YMGYRCH I AMDDIFFYN PYSGODFEYDD CYMREIG

Datganiad o Fwriad

“Mae’r mudiad yma’n bodoli’n unig i ddarbwyllo Asiantaeth Amgylchedd Cymru i gyflogi lefel arwyddocaol o feiliaid dŵr cymwys fydd yn ddigonol i amddiffyn stociau pysgod yn nyfroedd Cymru.”

Nod ac Amcanion

1) I wneud Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd Cymru ac Awdurdodau Lleol Cymru yn ymwybodol o’r diffyg dychrynllyd o Swyddogion Gorfodaeth ar gael yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd i amddiffyn pysgodfeydd Cymreig.

2) I wneud yn glir i Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru ac i Awdurdodau Lleol Cymru o’r effaith trychinebus allai fod o’r diffyg amddiffyniad pysgodfeydd ar economi gwledig Cymru.

3) I ddefnyddio pob dull cyfreithiol i roi cyhoeddusrwydd i amcanion yr ymgyrch i bob mudiad all fod mewn sefyllfa rhesymol i helpu’r ymgyrch i gyrraedd ei nod. Bydd pob cyhoeddiad wedi ei gytuno gan y rhai a ystyrir i fod yn gynrychiolwyr o’r ymgyrch.

4) I godi ymwybyddiaeth o’r troseddoldeb o gymryd pysgod yn anghyfreithlon mewn dulliau ar wahan i wialen a llinell.

5) I annog rheiny sy’n dod yn ymwybodol o bysgota anghyfreithlon i ddweud wrth Asiantaeth Amgylchedd Cymru ar eu llinell 0800 80 70 60, yr heddlu a trefnwyr yr ymgyrch er mwyn eu galluogi i gadw arolwg annibynnol ar y potsio sy’n digwydd.

6) I ymdrechu, drwy gytundeb i gynyddu’r ardal lle mae’r ymgyrch yn weithredol i gynnwys afonydd a dyfroedd Lloegr.

7) I fod yn onest, agored, gwrthrychol ac yn gywir i amcanion yr ymgyrch ymhob mater sy’n berthnasol iddo.

8) Os, yn y tymor hir, fod amcanion yr ymgyrch i’w gweld yn methu oherwydd methiant rheiny sydd ag awdurdod i weithredu i gyfarfod gofynion yr ymgyrch, i ymchwilio i’r posibilrwydd o gael statws elusengar gyda golwg ar sicrhau arian i wneud her gyfreithiol yn erbyn awdurdodau penodol os fyddai gweithredu fel hyn yn debygol o lwyddo.

9) Wedi i’r ymgyrch lwyddo, bydd y mudiad yn peidio a gweithredu heblaw am barhau i arolygu’r sefyllfa.

10) Wedi i’r ymgyrch lwyddo gall y mudiad a’i aelodau, drwy ganiatâd cyffredin a chytundeb, ailgyfeirio ei ymdrechion i ardaloedd all fod o fudd i bysgota ac/ neu stociau pysgod drwy Gymru.

[highplains]

CAMPAIGN FOR THE PROTECTION OF WELSH FISHERIES

Mission Statement

“This organisation exists solely to persuade the Environment Agency Wales to employ a meaningful level of qualified water bailiffs sufficient to adequately protect the fish stocks of the waters of Wales.”

Aims and Objectives
1) To make the Welsh Assembly Government, The Environment Agency Wales and Local Authority’s of Wales aware of the current appalling lack of Enforcement Officers available in Wales to protect Welsh fisheries.

2) To make clear to the Welsh Assembly Government and the Local Authority’s of Wales the potentially disastrous effect of this lack of fisheries protection on the rural economy of Wales.

3) To use all lawful means to publicise the objectives of the campaign to all organisations that might reasonably be in a position to assist the campaign meet its objectives. All such publication shall be by agreement of those deemed to be the representatives of the campaign.

4) To increase awareness of the criminality of the illegal taking of fish by means other than rod and line.

5) To encourage those that become aware of illegal fishing activity to report the same to the Environment Agency Wales hot line 0800 80 70 60, the police and the campaign organisers to enable them to maintain an independent overview of the apparent poaching effort.

6) To endeavour, by agreement, to increase the area for which the campaign works to include the rivers and waters of England

7) To be honest, open, objective and true to the aims of the campaign in all matters relating thereto.

8) If in the longer term the objectives of the campaign are seen to be failing due to the failures of those empowered to take action to meet the demands of the campaign, to investigate the possibility of obtaining charitable status with a view to securing funds to make a legal challenge to the powers that be if advised that this course of action has a reasonable chance of success.

9) On the successful completion of the campaign, the organisation will cease activity save to continue to monitor the situation

10) On successful completion of the campaign, the organisation and its members may, by common consent and agreement redirect its efforts to such areas as may benefit angling and or fish stocks throughout Wales.

[highplains]

I have had a few emails asking if we are only seeking support from organisations?

No, we are seeking PM's or emails of support from individuals who's names will be added to the list of individual supports. This is being kept separate from clubs, federations and societies.

All the best and thanks to those of you who have made contact so far.

[apprentice2]

Highplains,

Count me in. Come on the rest of the forum support this campaign and show the EA and the Assembly that we anglewrs care, vote and spend money in Wales.

Brian M.

[highplains]

Thank you for that Brian. I have added your name to the list of supporters and look forward to several hundred more taking the time to add their names.

This is a big issue and one we must pursue.

Thanks again

Highplains

[clwydman]

Right sir, I have emailed a list of Clwyd anglers that would most definately like to sign up and support your campaign. The two key words to me are 'Protection' and 'Fisheries'. It would appear to me that the way the EA work is to through whatever they want into the cheapest options which are often byelaws that are detrimental to the rivers as fisheries i.e. they stop anglers fishing. Huge dialogue is required here and the strength of feeling must be demonstrated by all anglers.

[highplains]

I'm not surprised the river is packed at times, they may all be your family.

Thanks again

I have added "your lot" and am grateful.

All the best

Highplains

[DAZ]

apprentice2 said:

Count me in. Come on the rest of the forum support this campaign and show the EA and the Assembly that we anglewrs care, vote and spend money in Wales.

Brian M.

I would love to know how many forum members have sent Allan (highplains) a p.m of support?..1144 members,I bet the 44 at most have ...Come on lads,you should be ashamed of your selfs if you haven't.It's about time we got off our lazy a$$es and done something to help....It costs nothing!....Just one minute of your time.

Fair play to him....He fights our corner daily,it's not just for his own benefit..."BUT US ALL"..Lets give him a helping hand if we can.

DAZ.

[buzzerman]

done

[DAZ]

[buzzerman]

come on lads lets all help allan he is fighting for your future, just send him your e,mail address it wont take long we all have to help ourselves

[bobronte]

Hi Highplains

have forwarded the names so you can you put down on your support list or what you see fit, we have never fished in Wales but would like the support given as presently on the ground whether you fish here, or any other part of the UK fish stocks are not protected enough.

Presently I beleive you would find large numbers of Welsh sewin on our (Irish) east coast estuaries etc. and have strongly beleived that protection should be spread out to UK territorial waters where the stocks are claimed to be localised (i don't beleive so and neither do many others due to the fact that these large numbers ''disappear'' in August before your harvest run and the size are not found in Irish waters )
This may happen with other catchments etc. I have no concrete evidence at hand but was told many moons ago that a tagged fish here later turned up in its native scottish river and other uk monitored sea-trout have appeared off Norway etc. Netting inland at bar mouths etc is well known but who or how are stocks going out & returning from other feeding grounds protected.
Predation control/understanding, tighter controls on legal & illegal netting and a better understanding of the fish are a few of the many things that any right thinking angler would be concerned of and we are glad someone is taking a worthwhile campaign into local & national goverment.

Good Luck and Best Wishes for the Goals & Aims of the campaign
as I beleive that it will help many other fisheries aswell.

Its a few seconds to add your name - why not?
BB

[highplains]

Thanks BB, your support is much appreciated

All the best

Highplains

[steveR]

O.K. BOIS, Keep the emails and p.ms. flooding into Allan give him something to do,

Think about the future!!

Steve.

[highplains]

Greetings one and all,

There seems to be some confusion as to how to register as a supporter of the campaign.

Just double click on the name Highplains and the forum will redirect you to Highplains details. When there just click on the tiny printer on the left where the words send PM appear. A note pad will appear upon which you write your details, name of supporters wishing to be added to the list and the area they/you come from.

Send the PM and I will do the rest

[highplains]

Just a reminder to register your support for The Campaign.

All I need is a PM, or a note on the forum, giving your name and confirmation of support and you will be added to the list.

Thanks to those of you sending in club and association details, these are a real bonus.

Only takes a minute and it is important.

[lee]

THANKS for doing this campain highplains well done

[highplains]

Lee,

Thank you for signing up.

We have to do this to try to protect our fish and fishing for the future. The current guardians are apparently failing in their efforts.

Please email or PM me and sign up fellow forum members

Highplains