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Post by rwgbridgend on Jul 12, 2006 18:44:33 GMT -1
It's good to see that this issue is now is being recognised by the Minister and that Mr Isherwood is taking up our campaign.
Carwyn will hopefully take this issue seriously given he was once a keen fisherman and member of the Ogmore Angling Association!
I continue to press our AM's here in south Wales to get involved.
It was nice to take a break from all my letter writing today by carrying out some kick sampling on our spawning tributaries of the Ogmore! it was good news after all the sheep dip problems we had.
Hopefully we can get the problems of enforcement behind us as well!
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Post by rwgbridgend on Jul 24, 2006 17:32:23 GMT -1
Readers of the forum may be interested to read page 2 of today's Western Mail. A substantial article regarding enforcement was printed following a joint press release by Mark Isherwood AM (north Wales) and Alan Cairns (south Wales West). I would personally like to thank our elected representatives for bringing this issue out in the wide open.
I would also like to thank Allan (highplains) for the conseiderable work he has done in North Wales and for the wonderful appeal that he prepared.
Hopefully all of our efforts will result in increased funding for fisheries enforcement.
I will endeavour to get the western Mail article onto the forum as soon as I can.
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Post by rwgbridgend on Jul 24, 2006 17:48:12 GMT -1
THE WESTERN MAIL 24TH JULY 2006
HEADLINE:
'Poaching must be stamped out before it triggers a crisis'Jul 24 2006
Tryst Williams, Western Mail
POACHING could soon lead to a fishing crisis on the nation's rivers and hit the Welsh tourism industry in the pocket, according to warnings from politicians and anglers.
Conservative Assembly Members Alun Cairns and Mark Isherwood have led calls for the Assembly to spend more money on tackling the problem.
Poachers are said to be targeting lucrative catches of salmon and trout. It is feared, if the situation continues unchecked, it could hit Wales's fishing tourism industry, which nets more than 760,000 visitors each year, adding more than £76m to the economy.
Mr Cairns, AM for South Wales West, said, "The poaching of salmon and trout, two of our most precious natural resources, is threatening our fish stocks and the Welsh rural economy.
"Environment and Countryside Minister Carwyn must make more funding available so Environment Agency Wales can take immediate action to safeguard our salmon and trout populations.
"Angling is vitally important to the Welsh rural economy.
"EAW must be given the funding it needs to stamp out poaching for good and before it is too late.
"Illegal fishing is on the increase and it's having an untold impact on our rural economy and a devastating impact on one of Wales's most valuable resources. Action must be taken now to stop the rot."
He claimed the number of fisheries enforcement officers - bailiffs - patrolling the Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot region had fallen from 12 to zero over recent years and the situation threatened such major rivers as the Ogmore, Afan, Neath and Tawe.
Mr Cairns and Mr Isherwood, AM for North Wales, both called for more funds to be made available to the EAW. Their views were backed by fishing clubs such as Llanelli Angling Association, which said they had noticed a rise in poaching and a decline in the number of bailiffs.
Association secretary David Watkins said, "In the Towy catchment area, which is the main sea trout area of Wales, there's one full-time bailiff covering everything from St Clears to Loughor.
"There used to be three or four only on the Towy and, when you fished, you would always see one who would come and sign your licence. Now you don't see one.
"I haven't come across bailiffs on the Towy for the best part of five or six years and the poachers know this. Gangs have come down from Hereford and net the rivers and sell the fish after getting a good haul.
"The other sore point is the cost of the salmon licence - £60 - and you don't see much return on it."
Mr Watkins said there had been a particular rise in the number of "belligerent" youths turning to poaching and pointed out the problem was not confined to rivers.
On the reservoir his club stocks with £11,500 of fish a year, he recently came across a gang netting fish at 3.50am.
The Assembly yesterday played down the scale of the problem and claimed much of the Environment Agency's anti-poaching efforts were being carried out covertly.
A spokesman said, "Protection of fish stocks from poaching is the responsibility of the Environment Agency. To make the best use of available resources, the agency takes a targeted, intelligence-led approach. These operations are often undercover and not, therefore, visible to the public.
"In recent years stocks of salmon and sea trout have been in decline and poaching efforts have therefore reduced.
"However, the necessary level of resources to protect the stocks is consistently kept under review."
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Post by Hoppy on Jul 24, 2006 18:08:13 GMT -1
A great story (apart from the issues contained within), we need more of this...It needs to be publicised heavily.
Well done all concerned.
Hoppy
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Post by Gwyniadun on Jul 24, 2006 19:33:52 GMT -1
The Assembly yesterday played down the scale of the problem and claimed much of the Environment Agency's anti-poaching efforts were being carried out covertly.
A spokesman said, "Protection of fish stocks from poaching is the responsibility of the Environment Agency. To make the best use of available resources, the agency takes a targeted, intelligence-led approach. These operations are often undercover and not, therefore, visible to the public.
"In recent years stocks of salmon and sea trout have been in decline and poaching efforts have therefore reduced.
"However, the necessary level of resources to protect the stocks is consistently kept under review."
They must think we are somewhat blind or maybe even stupid, 'covert', the EA have diminished the (Bailiffing) force as we knew it , I wonder if the funds going in to the EA has also been reduced to balance the number of (Bailiffs) or is the money going into another department within the EA for purposes other than fisheries. Now there are far too few experienced in fisheries, that is why we are complaining. It is the poaching element that are 'covert' and we need effective policing against this, the EA presently are not delivering to a satisfactory standard will someone at the Welsh Assembly stand up and be counted. We have been lobbying since November 2005, is this the best they can come up with?
As there has been a reduction in the numbers of fish present in our rivers, isn't it time that the Welsh Assembly stood up to the EA and direct them....'Hang on there, if you do nothing eventually the spiral in decline will diminish further and all this extra money we poured in to Angling Tourism and the like will have been wasted' wake up!
Gwyniadun
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Post by Hoppy on Jul 24, 2006 19:59:11 GMT -1
My maths may be poor but the financial figures appear to be worked out at £100 per visiting angler. i.e 760000 anglers x £100 = £76m.
I personally spend around £800-£1000 per season on trips to Wales, and i know many others who spend more. The figures arew probably well in excess of this.
Hoppy
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