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Post by silver1 on Jul 15, 2007 20:25:54 GMT -1
good daz no pressure, did get your pm only now getting round to it sorry as been busy renovating my house and fishing! highplains you have my full support and i do agree that numbers do make a difference. I done my work experience with the south wales sea fisheries back in 1996 and have complete admiration for these people. good luck.
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Post by DAZ on Jul 15, 2007 20:32:47 GMT -1
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Nice one mate DAZ.
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Post by highplains on Jul 16, 2007 16:54:18 GMT -1
I am very grateful for your support Silver1. I have PM'd you for a little detail.
All the best
Regards.
Highplains
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fox
Parr
Posts: 19
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Post by fox on Jul 17, 2007 13:17:42 GMT -1
add me mate good luck.
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Post by highplains on Jul 17, 2007 16:30:49 GMT -1
Thanks Fox,
Your support is gratefully received and very welcome.
All the best
Regards
Highplains
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Post by clwydman on Jul 17, 2007 21:43:03 GMT -1
Can someone tell me wht there have been 709 visits to this thread and only 39 posts? Is it not important enough? Come on, as I have said before it is a complete numbers gae this. Polotics revolves around numbers. The more support, the more action. If we carry on with this lack of support, there will be no bailiffs, no fish and rivers ove flowing with canoeists because they know ho to support each other and lobby. If you have read this thread and not voiced your support, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
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Post by woodcockandsewin on Jul 18, 2007 9:20:48 GMT -1
Maybe asking for emails or PMs has had an effect on the number of posts, but heres one more.
HP,
any chance of an update on the number of PMs on this subject.
W&S
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Post by clwydman on Jul 18, 2007 16:16:17 GMT -1
Lets hope you are right woodcockandsewin
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Post by highplains on Jul 18, 2007 22:50:28 GMT -1
I thank you for keeping up interest in tis thread and for your continued support.
This stage is the start of the campaign during which we will gather formal support from individuals and clubs to give the campaign weight. So far progress has been good and steady although individuals are slow to register, so please join now.
We will not be posting numbers until the campaign launch with press releases etc.
There are also going to be a few major surprises for the EAW and the Assembly.
So forgive us at this stage we are keeping our powder dry and giving away only that we need you to register your support.
Forgive the ambiguity
Regards.
Highplains
for The Campaign
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moonshadow
Smolt
nearly time for that first cast
Posts: 97
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Post by moonshadow on Jul 19, 2007 7:15:12 GMT -1
With all this rain I detect a ray of sunshine in your last post? Keep up the excellent work and pressure Highplains.
Await patiently for news think we can all do with a bit of good news for a change.
Moonshadow
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Post by highplains on Jul 19, 2007 16:28:51 GMT -1
That news will be all the quicker coming if we can encourage the emails and PM's for support.
Come on chaps and chapesses.
All the best
Highplains
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Post by woodcockandsewin on Jul 20, 2007 23:01:53 GMT -1
I hear through the grapevine that some significant high level progress has been made...congratulations.
W&S
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Post by highplains on Jul 21, 2007 21:25:56 GMT -1
Fellow forum members,
This does not mean that we have enough supporters. Please PM me your individual or club (with appropriate authority) support.
Numbers make all the difference please!
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lb1
Smolt
Posts: 72
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Post by lb1 on Jul 22, 2007 3:27:11 GMT -1
Just read this thread but better late...........
Please put my name down - all details are in my profile with e-mail address.
Hope this helps and is enough.
lb1
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Post by highplains on Jul 22, 2007 9:57:02 GMT -1
lb1,
Your support is very welcome and gratefully received.
We are still in the early stages of gathering support. It is essential that when we deal with politicians in particular they are aware of the political implications of a campaign with thousands of supporters.
Your support is as important as any other.
Thank you.
Highplains
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Post by Hoppy on Jul 23, 2007 23:28:53 GMT -1
This campaign has my full support, as you would imagine, it is something very dear to my heart and is vital in protecting orur fish stocks.
By now we should have had the Environment Councils report on the subject (As well as many other areas) but its late, very late and im becomming suspicious.
People need to realise that the issue of poaching is serious and poses a serious threat to our fisheries. Bear in mind that in the Inland Fisheries Stakeholders report, it was reported that Enforcement had caused massive concern - and to be fair things have got worse.
The levels of EA Enforcement Officers in Wales has declined further, officers aren't being replaced and poaching continues. No longer is this crime being displaced from area to area, poachers are being given a free reign in the country, and at the cost of our fishing.
Believe me, EA Budgets are being cut, bailiffing will be the first place they look at, and to be fair i think without this fight it will get worse and worse. Something needs to be done and quickly.
It also seems the case of right hand not knowing what left hand is doing with the EA and EAW. In Cornwall the EA are supporting hatcheries and selective stocking, whilst the EAW seem opposed to this. If they cant agree between regions then something is sadly amiss, and it needs sorting.
I do not want to give the impression that i am anti EA and EAW - the officers have my full support, but its time the managers listened, there are easy options when it comes to licence dodgers, and this will give officers more time to concentrate on poaching. I was told that performance indicators required Enforcement Officers in Wales to check thousands of licences every year - whilst this is a problem, it is purely fiscal and the real issue is the illegal taking of fish from our rivers. Catching anglers without licences wont save our fish stocks. Something needs to give. I am more concerned about the future of fish stocks than finding measures of introducing more anglers to fishing. What would be the point - Buy a migratory licence, fish in North Wales for Nothing? It just doesnt make sense.
Its time the EAW got their house in order, and prioritised that introducing more people to the sport is not a viable long term solution. Angling is the biggest participation sport in the UK, it is ususally passed down generation to generation - it does not need advertising or funding.
Bear in mind the tragic flooding throughout the UK at the moment, the EA will be finding money from all over to fund the repairs etc etc, and this may result in further constraints being placed on fisheries.
It is time this stopped, we need a united front, we need to show the EA that this is an area of great concern - if we can show solidarity on this front, then anglers would be a great assistance to the Agency in the future and could assist them in other areas, habitat restoration, etc etc.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take time to speak to your clubs committees and tell them of the issues being aired on this forum, write to your local PMs and AMs - it will make a difference - it has to.
Please support this cause, tell your friends and family and get behind it, what the EA do not realise is that we aren't doing this for ourselves, we are doing it for future generations of anglers and most importantly to protect our fish stocks.
What will you think when the EAW impose manadatory C&R on your river? It will be too late! The time to act is now.
Come on guys - you know it makes sense
Hoppy
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Post by loughman on Jul 24, 2007 9:20:17 GMT -1
Good luck in your efforts
Loughman (Northumberland)
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Post by kwilliams on Jul 24, 2007 21:18:39 GMT -1
Hoppy's comments are articulate and valid in so many ways but even he can't begin to understand the frustration I used to suffer as a former EA Wales Fisheries Enforcement officer from the lack of support from former colleagues within EAW in the Northern region. I had to endure constant critiscm and refusal of assistance, denial of problems that were known despite good intelligence being delivered and worst of all a definite lack of willingness to get the job done day or night. Very few managers were ever raised from within the working ranks or had " The T Shirt of Experience" and despite working constant hours and the constant moans from a family at home who very rarely ever saw me for many a day at a time, I had to watch laziness and slovenliness exist at all levels with the Northern area Enforcement department with the exception of a few truly faithful colleagues, if however this behaviour existed in a military or policing environment, the participants would have been weeded out a long time ago. There is a serious malaise in existence based on nepotism, bullying and face fitting and if you work harder to the detriment of other staff, you are without doubt cast as a non team player.... as some individuals are now experiencing yet again I as many anglers in North Wales will now know, I left the EA in Wales as a consequence of poachers making complaints against me,costing me my post, I in fact cost them lots of money in black economy income loss through undeclared net returns, loss of cockle pickings etc etc and the EA didn't have the stomach to prosecute fraudsters that were discovered some with serious criminal backgrounds. I would be more than happy to provide illuminated comments to any MP or AM who may wish to be provided with detail as to many failings within the EA in N.Wales at any time. No doubt my demise was hastened as a consequence of me complaining about wrongdoing within the EA ranks by certain individuals. It is worthy to note that the Regional Director of EA Wales, The Hon Chris Mills when he took over decided to remove the Area Manager at Bangor following disquiet over this Managers attitude to fisheries enforcement which at the time he placed at the bottom of ther priority list thus denuding fisheries in North wales of valuable protection and manpower. I will no doubt be viewed as having a vengeful attitude towards the EA as a consequence of my removal however I still hold fisheries protection and management dear to my heart after 32years of dedicated service and many commendations from former Regional managers from the Water Authority era, the NRA at executive level,crown courts courts and Government Ministers for services given. The present managerial regime in North wales is and never will be fit for purpose and the most recent retirement of Emyr lewis who was the most worthy and senior fisheries enforcement officer in Wales left through reasons of dissatisfaction known to him alone with his managers should not go unnoticed as his replacement is unlikely if at all if funding reductions continue at the pace that has been demonstrated over recent years. It took almost 2 years to replace me on the Dee Estuary, one of the Most volatile beats in Wales, unfortunately the EA decide to replace me with an unexperienced part time officer who will if time allows will take at least 10 years to learn his beat and all the criminals and netsmen that exist in one of the worst unregulated drift net fishery areas in the North of England and Wales - a fact the EA managers refuse to admit publicly !! I would ask that the game angling comunity on the Dee and the sea Anglers of Wales make strident efforts to demand that this fishery have all its sea fishery byelaws dramatically overhauled as was previously demanded by me in 2003/4 and subsequently totally denied by local senior managers in the EA Wales regional Byelaw review group who felt that salmonid protection byelaws were going to take a precedence over the activities of sea fish netsmen who are totally unregulated, Unlicensed in any way by Defra and also serious blackspot in the local " Black Economy" which includes both present and former licensed salmon netsmen who have recently been bought out ( rewarded handsomely I might add for under-declaring their catches) The EA were aware of such under declarations and refused to act upon a specimen blatant case for which there is submitted record ! If there is a need to influence the new Am's and ministers at the Welsh Assembly, nows the time to demand a full and frank exchange as to what has been going drastically wrong for the last 10 years since the inception of the EA. There is a definite need to return to the ideologies that were gaining fruition and identity in the former NRA era when staff had job satisfaction, were happy in their lot and had a sense of purpose and ownership in their role and day to day activities. Alas, this will never ever be the case despite the remonstrations of the Northern Area Managers who are blinded by the concept of PRP deliveries, ticking boxes and those who are brown nosing whoever they can on a day to day basis. in short, everyones watching each others backs, looking at the paperwork and not getting the real day job done. The cost of a very valuable patrol boat Rots in a store in Bangor whilst netters ply their trade with impunity, a radar vehicle has gone unused for almost to years as no one bothered to take an interest in its operational capabilities and in real terms the costs of sitting idle is somwhere close to £50K in modern upto date values. In short, Nobody really cares anymore and theres nobody with the real values left to ensure the real job gets done with effectiveness or pride. I won't paint all managers with the same brush but I can count on one hand just a few nationally in Wales who still earn their daily crust!
A sad indictment on all but one that must be looked at earnestly by the National Assembly for Wales and should any member of staff have to give evidence past ot present, it should be possible without the fear of future intimidation and PRP demotions, pay cuts etc. The use of part time enforcement reserve staff is being promoted more and more and the Job just won't get done now or ever on such a premise as the selection process in N.wales is badly flawed and nepotistic under the new regime. I leave forum readers to make their own minds up and demand a far greater service with than at present being offered.
" There are none so blind as those who don't want to see !" Let there be light!
Keith Williams
Former EA Wales Fisheries Enforcement Officer ( Dee )
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Post by Hoppy on Jul 24, 2007 22:27:16 GMT -1
Forum users, if keith's post doesnt make you sit up and listen, then nothing will.
Keith has shown what a sad state of affairs the EAW is in. With the retirement of a Emyr another hole has opened. What about Succession planning, why is the experience of these ex officers going unused, they could consult, assist advise.
I have been supporting this for some time now, and i'm sad. I honestly beleive that if my sons are even able to fish for migratory fish in areas of Wales (if the fish are not extinct) then they will not have the option of taking a fish for the table.
It is up to us to do something, not only for future generations, but most importantly for our fish and fisheries, and the economies they support.
Hoppy
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pgh
Parr
Posts: 3
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Post by pgh on Jul 24, 2007 23:37:27 GMT -1
Please and me to the list Thanks Paul Houghland
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