CAMPAIGN FOR THE PROTECTION OF WELSH FISHERIES

[desperate]

Well done everybody

Not the end of the line I am sure but certainly setting off on the right road!

Sorry to hijack this thread but I am currently unable to log on as myself (Clwydman) for some reason. Is there anyone out there that can help!!!!!!!

[highplains]

It may not be everybody's idea of a good read, but the review and appendices produced by the EAW is very comprehensive, and to be fair seems to cover all the options. I have to say I am surprised and congratulate the Environment Agency on a well produced set of documents.

There are some fairly broad assumptions made with which, I feel sure, we will wish to take issue, but we do have a bench mark document to use as the basis of our future campaign.

I will be grateful to anybody out there that has the time and inclination, if they will read the documents and express their views either here on the forum or in a PM or email to me direct.
I think it is important that we match the logical and well constructed approach the EAW have taken and try to use facts that we can substantiate to make our case for the Assembly to fund the full option package. The only way we will be able to do this is to make a good business case in its favour.

I await, with interest, to hear how the EAW are to conduct their research to establish the actual levels of poaching in Wales.

The publication of this report marks the start of our campaign proper, but I do think we can take heart that we have at least made some progress and for that I think we have to be big enough to thanks the EAW management and their staff, particularly the front line teams, for their effort in producing these documents.

We will need to continue work together and I appeal to you all to gather as many names of supporters of the campaign as you can. Whatever we say will come to nought unless we can show that we have the weight of numbers.

With thanks to you all.

Highplains

[highplains]

YMGYRCH AMDDIFFYN PYSGODFEYDD CYMRU
CAMPAIGN FOR THE PROTECTION OF WELSH FISHERIES
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

A note from the Campaign team to thank you all for your support throughout this last year and to let you know that we are still working hard to have the proper protection provided for our fisheries.

Remember you can still email or PM me with your pledge of support or that of your club.

There will be more news in the new year.

Tight lines and best wishes for the coming season.

[highplains]

Just to let you know we still have the active support of Mark Isherwood AM, who sent me this yesterday.

We have had some success, but are far from finished.

Thanks for your continued support

[clwydman]

Mark is a genuinely approachable guy and is not happy about the process as the assembly have not been informed of the review outcomes officially. Whilst fully supporting the campaign, there a few things we as anglers need to address, angling clubs and organisations must look at themselves to see what they can do to ensure that fish are not lost to poaching etc. As I have mentioned many times before, angling clubs all operate some method of bailliffing. Whether that be the simple expectation of members to ask to see each others membership cards or whether clubs have bailiffs. All this does however is protect the waters the clubs fish. Generally, (with the exception of the netting gangs) fish are nowhere near as vunerable on the stretches we fish as they are in the headwaters in the close season. Yet all measures of successful bailliffing seem to head towards the number of anglers caught without licience or from us anglers point of view, how many times we see the bailiffs. Frankly I feel this is a very blinkered view from the angling club perspective. The recently created Clwyd and Conwy trust opened with a blaze of publicity. What has been done thus far? what are the priorities? Who have these priorities been shared with and how? We as anglers also need to move forward in our thinking and up river in our actions. This year I have seen more fish in the head waters than I have seen for many years if ever. Brilliant! But the eggs and parr of these returning fish need to live in the upper reaches for the next two years at least. Yet we are told that many of the spawning tributaries are severely polluted by sheep dip. The angling clubs know about this, the EA know about this, the trusts know about this. What is being done? bugger all from what I can see. I have volunteered to take water samples, to take training to study invertebrate life. Has anything come of it? no!. I strongly feel that if by some miracle we secured the bailiffing structure that ought to be protecting or rivers tomorrow, the numbers of fish returning would continue to dwindle because we are not looking after the nursery areas on our rivers. What continues to happen at the moment is that the clubs, federation, EA and us anglers take the easy option. i.e. "We cannot do anything about the headwaters, we do not control the fishing" absolute bloody rubbish and I am sick of hearing that comment. I have harped on about this for ten years or more and it always falls on deaf ears. We only need to open communication with land owners on the upper reaches. Most of them would be only to glad to have streams fenced off etc. Your comments of "united we have a chance, divided we will be sorely weakened" is absolutely correct. But we must be united on all fronts and firstly we need to be united as anglers that we are the biggest group of moaners who are not prepared to do anything to make a difference to help ourselves. That is why stocks will continue to decline. That is why canoeists will win the right to free access ....................the list goes on and on.
My support for the campaign as you know Highplains is 100%. I am willing to help in any way I can to maintain and improve fish returns on the rivers I fish. The sad thing is that the campaign is the only thing I have been asked to help in. How many others are in the same boat I ask?

[rwgbridgend]

Clwydman,

I would echo your view that there is not enough focus on protecting the spawning grounds.

Luckily the Association which I am involved in patrol these areas regularly during the winter months. We own the rights on many of the spawning tributaries and have a right of public access to the others. In other areas we are known to the landowners who welcome our input in protecting migratory fish. Although we are lucky in many respects other Association could be. From my own experience, I cannot believe that landowners (who are mainly farmers) would object to clubs patrolling the spawning grounds.

With regards to sheep dip pollution, it was my understanding that this was temporarily banned for sale by the veterinary medicines group, although i am unaware of the current situation.

[clwydman]

The problem with sheep dip is that it kills the river. Invertegrates (food for the parr) are removed and it will take years to return the river to its previous ecological state even if the water quality is good!

Although it frustrates me immensely to say it, anglers make good talkers, good moaners and good suggesters, we do not however make good doers!

Have spent the last two weeks watching 3 salmon in a small pool go through the process of spawning. They have completed their business now and moved on. I wonder how many anglers have witnessed this event?

[highplains]

I would like to thank the team at Foxon's in St Asaph for their work on obtaining 107 additional signatures for the Campaign. Thank you all.

I am still collecting the names of supporters and will be pleased to receive details of friends and family who wish to to be included.

You can also leave a sheet or two at your local tackle dealers asking people to sign to confirm their support.

We have to surprise the Assembly at level of support so the more the better.

I look forward to hearing from you.
All the best

Highplains

[highplains]

Just when you think things have been quiet!

There is a consultation document out, produced by Fisheries Policy at the Welsh Assembly. This document will determine what happens with regard to all aspects of Welsh Fisheries over the next 10 to 15 years,so it really is an important document. (One has to ask why the heck it is so difficult to find and has had such little publicity?)

You will perhaps not be surprised to learn that there is not a word in the document about the protection of Welsh Fisheries and fisheries enforcement.

I have written an appropriate comment and encouraged other club secretaries to do likewise and now appeal to you all to add your comment.

The contact email address is:

[e-mail]

Please drop him a polite email asking that he include directions about the protection of Welsh Fisheries and enforcement in the final draft of the document.

Speak to you club secretary and ask him to email a letter on behalf of your club or syndicate asking for reference to be made to the need to protect out fisheries.

It will only take you a minute and could have a real effect on our fishing for the next 10 to 15 years.

Best wishes and tight lines for this season.

Highplains

[dancer]

Thanks for that Highplains

I have emailed my request today and await a response.

Keep up the good work, Dancer

[highplains]

I can only plead old age and rank stupidity.

The name of the document is

Consultation Document, Wales Fisheries Strategy 2007.

The 2007 relates to the date of publication and start of the consultation process. The final document will impact seriously on our angling, sea, course and game for the next 10 to 15 years, so please email

[e-mail]

Ask him to add reference to adequate enforcement in the strategy otherwise in can not claim to be a comprehensive strategy document. No enforcement will, in time, mean no or much reduced fisheries.

Sorry about such a basic admission.

Regards.

Highplains

[cff]

The Welsh Fisheries Strategy document has been on the CFF website since 1st January.
See www.carmarthenshire.org.uk/NEWS/newspage.htm

As usual CFF is up to date with all the news.
perhaps it is becasue we're nearer to cardiff.... ;D

[cff]

A member has insinuated in a private message that, because of our proximity to Cardiff compared with people in N Wales, CFF has used some perceived advantage with WAG to obtain, but then withhold public information.

I first learned about the availability of WAG's Fisheries Strategy via DEFRA on 6th December. It was circulated to my CFF email list (Inc some WSTAA recipients) on 8th December, published on Andy Nicholson's Angling News on 12th December, on CFF's website on 1st January and discussed at FERAC on 18th January.

I appreciate it is quite far to N Wales - but just like us - they've got the same occasional narrow broadband.
So perhaps we really are no nearer Cardiff.
Although further north, I wonder if communications can be affected by those mountains and goats all over the place.

[Hoppy]

cff said:

A member has insinuated in a private message that, because of our proximity to Cardiff compared with people in N Wales, CFF has used some perceived advantage with WAG to obtain, but then withhold public information.

I dont know about witholding information, nor the proximity to Cardiff - but in my opinion CFF does have an advantage over North Wales.

The fact that CFF is very well supported, well managed, well informed and very well publicised, there are some very well respected members of CFF. This does give it an edge compared to North Wales. But this is not CFF's fault - it is for others to follow.

I say this because i get alot of information that is posted on the news section and EAW pages of this forum from the CFF. Another member does provide other information - but CFF sends some very interesting information.

It is also worthy of note that the CFF website is very highly ranked on google, and the internet.

Perhaps the clubs & federations of North Wales should consider CFF's level of publicity and consider similar schemes and projects.

My honest opinion is that WAG and perhaps FERAC have to listen to an organisation with such support and some areas of North Wales just dont have this.

cff said:

I appreciate it is quite far to N Wales - but just like us - they've got the same occasional narrow broadband.
So perhaps we really are no nearer Cardiff.
Although further north, I wonder if communications can be affected by those mountains and goats all over the place.

CFF - regardless or not of bandwidth and distance - Some groups outside Carms, are millions of miles from Cardiff - they really are.

Hoppy

ps I havent seen many goats in North Wales? Plenty of Sheep ;D

[cff]

Hoppy
It is most refreshing to hear something good said about CFF - especially from one outside looking in.

The great shame is that there are those much nearer home who have benefited so tremendously from its endeavours over the years, who would now castigate it and its officers to the point of implosion.

My advice to anyone considering following Hoppy's advice is to be quite sure who are your true friends before lifting a finger.

Happily, despite some small people, we are pleased to record that we have just successfully completed the first part of the Towy net buyout with the purchase of 6 of the seine nets.

So much more productive than restocking. Don't you think?

Garth

[Hoppy]

CFF,

It is a difficult position for those outside of Carms - as they are not getting the publicity as you do - i really think that this is a concern for the rivers and associations outside Carms. I also think that this will be to the detrement of others.

I searched google earlier - and can find nothing like CFF on the net - so how can clubs get more support. Whilst the Tywi, Teifi, Dyfi & Conwy are well represented - i do worry about the smaller rivers in Wales.

Hoppy

[moonshadow]

Hi folks
I would like to go on record as an angler and offer my sincere thanks to people like Garth and Gethyn who work tirelessly on behalf of anglers for the protection of our rivers and the fish that inhabit these rivers. CFF must be applauded for their forward thinking in relation to the protection of our fisheries.
I firmly believe that this approach not only benefits the Towy but the smaller rivers that also live in the shadow of their larger and more famous waterways.

The purchase of these nets are a tribute to the fortitude and forward thinking of the angling clubs on the Towy and surrounding rivers and not forgetting the generosity of fellow anglers, some from outside the Principality.

I believe that CFF are a template for many other areas to copy. There are many battles ahead but I believe that with the calibre of men acting on our behalf then we and our rivers are in good hands.

Once again congratulations on the completion of the first phase of the net buyout and thank you CFF


Moonshadow

[lochbois]

hello highplains. I am new to the internet <4 months>. i have found STFF forum fasinating.i am reading your campaign and i will lend my support. I Live in theN.E of ENGLAND <I fish TEES&WEAR> . I have been campaigning for something to be done at the TEES BARRAGE.what we have got on the tees is a pfresh water lagoon upstream of the Tees Barrage <brilliant course fishing and water-sport> .Bellow the Tees Barrage we have a Tidal RIVER TEES.That has migratory fish and ells,, sea species, being slaughtered because they cannot get past the Tees Barrage. ihave the Teesside Evening Gazzete & Fly-fishing & Flytying supporting my campaign.I Have been following the stories about the plans to build a SEVERN BARRAGE and if that goes ahead and BRITISH WATERWAYS owners of the TEES BARRAGE have anything to do with it the SEVERN & its TRIBUTERIS will end up with no migratory fish like the RIVER TEES. THE A.C.A ARE ASKING ALL ANGLERS TO SIGN THEIR FREE PETITION TO SAVE THE FISHES ON THE TEES ONLINE VISIT<www.a-c-a.org>.IF you look on YOU TUBE<TEES BARRAGE SEALS>Will see what i see happening 24-7 by 5-6 seals & cormerants .from P.BOISTON <lochbois>

[Torgoch]

Just goes to show doesn't it that those south of the true home of the Welsh Parliament at Machynlleth think that the woolly things on our Mountains are Goats.
But there again there ain't any mountains in South Wales is there .. so there's no obstacles there lads

No wonder theres a North v South attitude... nothing changes does it..... Cardiff's more like a state of Hi de hi

[Gwyniadun]

I heard unofficially today that WAG have decided not to increase 'enforcement' staffing levels, based on, that there are ' not enough calls coming in about poaching, an easy cop out.

If this is the case, perhaps Highplains could elaborate.

I pitty the current ' enforcement teams' .