Post by highplains on May 26, 2007 11:51:47 GMT
Thought this may be of interest
Jewel in crown is under threat May 15 2007
Criticism by writer, conservationist and former chairman of Carmarthenshire Fishermen’s Federation Lynn Hughes of proposals to restock rivers like the Towy with ‘foreign’ salmon has got anglers talking since it was published in Country & Farming on March 13. Here Dr Rob Salt, chairman of Llandovery Angling Association, joins the debate
by Steve Dube, Western Mail
I HAVE been following the debate in your paper about the declining salmon stocks in the river Towy with some interest.
According to legend, Nero “fiddled” while Rome burned. Many of the members of Llandovery Angling Association believe that the authorities in charge of our rivers behave in a similar way, as they appear to have presided over a disastrous decline in salmon stocks over the past 20 years.
Mr Lynn Hughes in his controversial article about Bernard Matthews-type salmon argues that the genetic pool of Towy salmon will be weakened. He seems to have forgotten that the authorities in their various forms and names have stocked the Towy annually with 6,250 salmon smolts as mitigation for the loss of spawning ground due to the construction of Llyn Brianne.
Salmon produce approximately 800 eggs per pound. Interestingly with the survival under hatchery conditions of 90% of fertilised eggs, this amounts to the eggs of one 8lb salmon – surely a ridiculously low figure considering the amount of spawning ground lost.
The day after Mr Hughes’s article on Bernard Matthews salmon appeared, another article he had written appeared in the Carmarthen Journal in which he clearly stated the levels of salmon in the river had fallen to such a degree that they are unable to sustain themselves. This appears to completely contradict the comments he made in your newspaper.
Story continues
ADVERTISEMENT
Carmarthenshire Fishermen’s Federation recently held a presentation evening when anglers were rewarded for either returning salmon to the river or donating it to Llyn-y-Fan Hatchery. This scheme has been highly successful and has the official backing of the Environment Agency.
As equal credit was given for the catch and release of salmon or donation to the hatchery, the authorities would appear to be in favour of the hatchery, which is in contrast to Mr Hughes’ ideas.
Having attended the presentation of Mr Peter Gray and the CFF evening, it would appear that the only person vehemently opposed to the work of the Llyn-y-Fan Hatchery is Mr Hughes himself.
One worrying aspect of the CFF presentation evening was that none of the returned salmon were caught in Llandeilo or Llandovery waters, and whilst the lower Towy appears to have recovering salmon stocks, the same is not true of the upper Towy. Mr Peter Gray made it obvious to all in the meeting that water conditions were vital for the survival of juvenile fish. This applies to whatever source the fish come from – be it hatchery or natural spawning in the river.
The Environment Agency acknowledges that there is a cold water problem affecting the Towy from just below the dam to Dolau Hirion Bridge at Llandovery. There are also continuing problems with acidification in the upper stretches of the river. Until these problems are rectified the Towy would appear to be in serious threat of further decline. Sewin stocks are now seriously threatened, and the CFF are to extend their catch and release system to sewin over 27 inches – which equates to 7lb in weight.
If we are not careful the Towy, once “the jewel in the crown” of Welsh rivers, will end up being a tarnished old trinket.
Nero should act now regarding a multi take-off facility as the way forward would appear to be a continuation of stocking, improved water temperature, quality and habitat.
Jewel in crown is under threat May 15 2007
Criticism by writer, conservationist and former chairman of Carmarthenshire Fishermen’s Federation Lynn Hughes of proposals to restock rivers like the Towy with ‘foreign’ salmon has got anglers talking since it was published in Country & Farming on March 13. Here Dr Rob Salt, chairman of Llandovery Angling Association, joins the debate
by Steve Dube, Western Mail
I HAVE been following the debate in your paper about the declining salmon stocks in the river Towy with some interest.
According to legend, Nero “fiddled” while Rome burned. Many of the members of Llandovery Angling Association believe that the authorities in charge of our rivers behave in a similar way, as they appear to have presided over a disastrous decline in salmon stocks over the past 20 years.
Mr Lynn Hughes in his controversial article about Bernard Matthews-type salmon argues that the genetic pool of Towy salmon will be weakened. He seems to have forgotten that the authorities in their various forms and names have stocked the Towy annually with 6,250 salmon smolts as mitigation for the loss of spawning ground due to the construction of Llyn Brianne.
Salmon produce approximately 800 eggs per pound. Interestingly with the survival under hatchery conditions of 90% of fertilised eggs, this amounts to the eggs of one 8lb salmon – surely a ridiculously low figure considering the amount of spawning ground lost.
The day after Mr Hughes’s article on Bernard Matthews salmon appeared, another article he had written appeared in the Carmarthen Journal in which he clearly stated the levels of salmon in the river had fallen to such a degree that they are unable to sustain themselves. This appears to completely contradict the comments he made in your newspaper.
Story continues
ADVERTISEMENT
Carmarthenshire Fishermen’s Federation recently held a presentation evening when anglers were rewarded for either returning salmon to the river or donating it to Llyn-y-Fan Hatchery. This scheme has been highly successful and has the official backing of the Environment Agency.
As equal credit was given for the catch and release of salmon or donation to the hatchery, the authorities would appear to be in favour of the hatchery, which is in contrast to Mr Hughes’ ideas.
Having attended the presentation of Mr Peter Gray and the CFF evening, it would appear that the only person vehemently opposed to the work of the Llyn-y-Fan Hatchery is Mr Hughes himself.
One worrying aspect of the CFF presentation evening was that none of the returned salmon were caught in Llandeilo or Llandovery waters, and whilst the lower Towy appears to have recovering salmon stocks, the same is not true of the upper Towy. Mr Peter Gray made it obvious to all in the meeting that water conditions were vital for the survival of juvenile fish. This applies to whatever source the fish come from – be it hatchery or natural spawning in the river.
The Environment Agency acknowledges that there is a cold water problem affecting the Towy from just below the dam to Dolau Hirion Bridge at Llandovery. There are also continuing problems with acidification in the upper stretches of the river. Until these problems are rectified the Towy would appear to be in serious threat of further decline. Sewin stocks are now seriously threatened, and the CFF are to extend their catch and release system to sewin over 27 inches – which equates to 7lb in weight.
If we are not careful the Towy, once “the jewel in the crown” of Welsh rivers, will end up being a tarnished old trinket.
Nero should act now regarding a multi take-off facility as the way forward would appear to be a continuation of stocking, improved water temperature, quality and habitat.