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 so called 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]

Gentlemen,

May I refer you to the general board.

Campaign to protect Welsh Fisheries.

Your support will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Highplains

[highplains]

Just a reminder folks that all you need to do is PM me or make a statement of support on the forum and I will add you to the list. It only takes a few seconds and the cause is good. We need more bailiffs.

Many thanks.

[highplains]

Fellow forum members I note the great interest that has been shown in the catch and release thread. It is a great mystery to me why then that so few have sent support for the campaign to increase the protection of our fisheries.

It matters not where in the country you live, or indeed fish. The aim is to seek more bailiffs to protect our fish. There will, at this rare, be little to catch or release. The rarer the fish become, the more precious they become, so the more deserving of protection.

We have to start some where and your support will make a difference.

Please spend a few seconds making a gesture of support (no not that one!) and send me a pm.

With thanks.

Regards.

Highplains

[highplains]

There has been a very welcome run of support for the campaign, for which I thank those of you who have been kind enough to show support.

May I appeal to the rest of the forum members to follow your great example.

Many thanks

Highplains

[highplains]

Come on forum members a little support will be really welcome..

Just a PM confirming your support is all that I ask.

Regards.

Highplains

[highplains]

Copied from the sea trout forum

Re: EA PRESS RELEASES
« Reply #101 on Today at 9:19pm »

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Just received this from the EA this afternoon:

As a salmon and sea trout rod licence holder in 2006 or 2007, we thought you might be interested in our new draft 'Sea Trout & Salmon Fisheries Strategy' and 'Review of the National Spring Salmon Byelaws'. We hope you may feel that these are relevant to you. If so, please take a moment to read the consultations and consider giving us your feedback.

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1. Sea Trout and Salmon Fisheries Strategy
------------------------------------------------------------

Following on from last year's consultation exercise on 'Delivering Better Salmon Fisheries' our draft Sea Trout and Salmon Fisheries Strategy is now on our website at:

cts.vresp.com/c/?EnvironmentA...0ca/6202e35d3b


This strategy sets out our proposed new direction for conserving, improving and managing these fisheries for the next decade. We have developed our approach with the benefit of comments and views received from many people during consultation over the last 12 months.

This is your opportunity to comment on the draft Strategy. Please follow the instructions on the web page to find out how. The closing date is 30 September 2007.

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2. Spring Salmon Review
------------------------------------------------------------

The current national byelaws to protect spring salmon are due to expire in December 2008. We remain concerned about this component of the salmon run and we think byelaws will still be needed after December 2008.

Our review of the status of England and Wales spring salmon stocks together with the options can be viewed on our website at:

cts.vresp.com/c/?EnvironmentA...0ca/8c06540f22


To find out how you can comment on this informal part of the review process, please click on the following link:

cts.vresp.com/c/?EnvironmentA...0ca/820126f45e


The closing date for comments is 31 August 2007.

We look forward to hearing from you.


You will have to look hard to find any reference to poaching or protecting the fish from poachers. The EA are like a giant ice breaker, on and on. They take no regard of any of our views. Left to them our rivers will be fish less in no time.

Sign up for the campaign for the protection of Welsh fisheries. Just email or PM me and pledge your support. We need numbers to give credibility to the campaign.

Highplains

[highplains]

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BBC News Item today. The link is posted lower down the form. I have reproduced the article in full because of the seriousness of the issue.

Please PM me with your support and those of your friends, family and fellow anglers. We urgently need more bailiffs.


'Poaching threat' to fish stocks
An increase in poaching and extreme weather conditions have pushed fish stocks in British lakes to the point of collapse, an anglers' group has said.
Spawning conditions have been hit by two years of extreme weather, the National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives (NAFC) said.

Members of the NAFC have also reported poaching of larger fish from lakes.

And Parliamentary angling spokesman Martin Salter MP claims some eastern European migrants take fish to eat.

Legal loopholes

The Reading MP said: "Poles and eastern Europeans, in particular, have been seen and occasionally caught removing all species of course fish, roach, bream and perch."

BBC correspondent Niki Cardwell says the problem is partly cultural with eastern European immigrants - for whom carp is a delicacy - taking fish from lakes.

They do not realise that it is unacceptable to eat the fish they catch, she says, adding that poachers have been seen patrolling lakes.

Mr Salter says the problem is getting worse but that the legal framework is simply not strong enough to cope with the problem.

"For example, in the Thames region it is legal, even though it's not in our culture, it is legal to take two fish of any size," he said.

"In some other regions you can take as many fish as you like, but there are certain size limits. And these things are simply not enforced."

Floods

One lake in Northampton has been forced to close because the problem has become so bad.

And the NAFC warns others could suffer the same fate.

The organisation's representative for the Anglian region, Steve Hellen, said fish were normally fairly comfortable within their own environment.

"But if you introduce extreme elements into that environment, such as we had with very high water levels, fish can become displaced from the normal area within a river, for instance, that they live in.

"And because of man made structures such as weirs and sluices and things those fish may never be able to return to their normal resident area."

Freshwater fish in the UK have been hit by the extreme and prolonged heat of 2006 followed by floods in 2007. Both disrupted spawning and deprived fry from the right conditions to grow.


Story from BBC NEWS:
news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/6941262.stm

Published: 2007/08/11 08:20:22 GMT

© BBC MMVII

[highplains]

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The minutes of the FERAC meeting held in April are now published on the EAW web site. They are not very informative, but they do show that at least some acknowledgement of the poaching issue may be being accepted. The applicable section is pasted below.

This section of the minutes is followed by the complete text of the EAW's comments on "exploitation" included in their draft document

better sea trout and salmon fisheries Our strategy for 2008-2021

Note the time scale 2008 to 2021. This is the period over which this document is likely to dictate the EAW approach to poaching and poachers unless we do something about it!!

Extract taken directly from the minutes of the April 2007 FERAC meeting regarding the enforcement review.


07.25 ENFORCEMENT REVIEW

Andy Schofield gave a presentation on Welsh Fisheries Enforcement that focussed on the organisation of enforcement, enforcement activities and our proposals to address perceived stakeholder concerns.

Chris Mills, Director, would sign off the findings of the Enforcement Review and the draft report would then go to Welsh Assembly Government.

Members’ comments are summarised below:

• A system is needed to identify and quantify those anglers who fish for
salmon in Wales and purchase licences in England.

• FERC questioned the validity of evaluating the possible significance of
illegal fishing by comparing outputs of farmed salmon with catches of wild
salmon by rods and nets.

• Concern was expressed that data management appears to supersede
work undertaken at ground level, important to take into account local
knowledge.

• Environmental crime should be given a much higher profile – the level of
fines imposed by the courts undervalues the significant impact on depleted
stocks by illegal fishing

• Need to see more visible presence of enforcement officers on the
riverbanks - suggestion to consider involving other groups of people to
form monitoring groups to monitor poaching activity.

• Suggestion to give more power to voluntary bailiffs.
Malcolm.Smith made three observations:

4 INITIALS

(1) Lawyers are working to increase the profile of environmental crime amongst the judiciary.

(2) The North Wales Chief Constable has indicated that links exist between petty crime and environmental crime.

(3) Careful consideration needs to be given to the efficiency and
effectiveness of our work given the financial position.

AGREED: to note the presentation and members’ comments.





Taken directly from: draft: better sea trout and salmon fisheries Our strategy for 2008-2021

Exploitation

In the circumstance of stocks being at risk, we must be responsible and manage exploitation at levels that will not threaten their future. Controls on fishing have been
increased in recent years and, in many places, voluntary constraints have been adopted to protect stocks. In the twenty years to 2006 the number of licensed nets and traps
operating has reduced by more than 60%. The practice of catch and release fishing by anglers has expanded markedly in the last ten years. Illegal, as well as legal fishing needs control. Our records suggest a decline in levels of poaching that may be linked to fewer wild fish and increased availability of farmed salmon as well as targeted enforcement. Our review in 2004 concluded that whilst exploitation needed more control in some places, overall other factors were equally or more important.


It is worth noting that the reference to "our records" relates to details taken from the 0800 80 70 60 number that we should all be using to report poaching, but which is currently viewed as a farce! We must all use the free phone number.

It interesting to note that whilst the EAW say there is no poaching the Chief Constable of North Wales connects it with petty crime? Strange!

Given the influence of the paper above and the time scale over which it will influence EAW policy, we must strengthen our campaign.

Thanks to those of you who sent your support during the period my computer was out of action. I look forward to receiving more - friends and family details can be added.

[highplains]

I attended the opening of the Clwyd and Conwy Rivers Trust this afternoon. Chris Mills, Director, Wales, of the Environment Agency was present as was Andy Schofield also of the EAW together with a number of other staff members of the EAW together with many distinguished representatives of the angling community. In view of the aims of our campaign I was keen to speak directly with Chris Mills and to continue sparing with Andy Schofield.

Andy Schofield was his usual ebullient self and we spent quite some time exchanging views on the issue of enforcement or lack thereof.

Chris Mills was a surprisingly easy man to speak to, well informed and aware of this campaign and the issues raised generally on this and other sea trout forums. He has offered to meet representatives of the campaign: so that is something to look forward to. Watch this space!

What I was keen to make clear to Chris Mills was that this campaign is NOT anti environment agency. It is campaigning for more bailiffs - full stop. We want the Welsh Assembly Government to acknowledge the economic value of angling generally to the Welsh economy and to provide the funds to protect the source of that income; the fish themselves, from the ravages of poaching.

I am told that the results of the review of enforcement in Wales is due to be made public soon and that we may be surprised at the content. That was as much as I could gather from them! We shall see.

I am sure as details emerge detailing the proposed aims of the Trust we will be raising many issues!

We await details of the enforcement review and gird ourselves for the next round as necessary.

Thank you for your support so far and please continue to pass on the names of more supporters.

As the club committee season now begins again may I remind those of you who promised to raise the matter of supporting the campaign with your clubs to please remember to do so and let me know the out come.

Best regards

Highplains

[highplains]

[highplains]

It is that time of year again. The club committee cycle is upon us once more. This is a great chance to ask fellow angles to pledge support for the campaign. Just take a paper headed :

Name Signature Location Post Code

and get a few signatures and let me have the details.

We need real numbers for the campaign to have weight. Please do your best. If you can get your committee approval to support the campaign, then please let me have the club name and approximate membership numbers.

Many thanks

Highplains

[highplains]

This is an extract from a FERAC paper that relates to the infamous 0800 80 70 60 reporting line.

I know from the forums that anglers are still not using this number to report incidents and by so doing reinforce the EAW argument that there is no poaching. Please use this number and report all incidents and get an incident number. I find it hard to believe that only a little over 30 fishing related incidents have been reported. Most of that number must have been made in connection with the Ogmore debacle.

Please fellow anglers use the 0800 80 70 60 free phone line. Being a bit of a cynic I really wonder how true this is, after all the Trusts are being given their own "private" numbers to report incidents. Perhaps somebody from the EAW would be kind enough to inform us if these are included. If they are one is bound to ask what use the Trusts are?

I will post this on the other forum and ask Gethyn if he can have the matter clarified.

The report item is as follows:

3.4 Reported Incidents

A total of 66 incident reports have been received this year with approximately 50% being confirmed as relating to fisheries offences. This compares with 59 reported during the same period in 2006 and 49 in 2005.

[highplains]

It would seem it’s not only enforcement the EA are attempting to avoid taking responsibility for.
Here's a recent article from The Angling Times.



Quote:Britains rivers are facing greater risk of serious pollution than ever before Angling conservationists are warning this week. The threat comes following an Environment Agency announcement that it will soon cease to take responsibility for what is pumped into our waterways. Instead businesses-like major water companies-are to be allowed to police themselves-and that could spell disaster for the UKs rivers.
Grave concerns over the plans have been raised by numerous angling organisations, led by the ACA which is claiming the sport was never consulted over the proposed changes. The development means that decades of positive changes, which have left our rivers and fish stocks in their best state for generations, could now be undone in one Government cost cutting exercise. And it seems certain that pollution incidents like the one that hit the river Wandle last month -will once again become the norm.
Under these plans, the water plcs-already topping the the Environment Agency league of water polluters-will be asked to monitor their own polluting discharges and presumably report themselves for prosecution if they slip up, explained outraged ACA chairman Dr Stephen Marsh Smith.
Rather than looking for ways to cut the costs of regulation, the EA should be funded properly so that it can monitor what goes into our watercorses. We want to see more policing of polluters and tougher fines, rather than allowing the polluters to monitor themslves, added ACA director Mark Lloyd.

The association is argueing that all the evidence points towards a continued need for tight regulation of what industries,farmers and businesses flush into rivers. It warns that health of fish, invertebrates and biodiversity is dependent on water quality.
And it is asking the question of whether businesses are capable of monitoring water quality effeciently and effectively and also whether they can be trusted to report themselves if they do cause a pollution incident.Others have been equally d**ning of the proposals.
The proposal for the controllers of licenced discharges to monitor their own output beggars belief, claimed Specialist Anglers Alliance sec. Mike Heylin. Anglers an clubs have roundly attacked these plans plans, yet the Agency insists on pursueing the proposal, apparently to save costs and meet Government targets for lighter regulation, he added.
The E.A claims there has been overwhelming support for the application of a modern regulation approach to manageing discharges to water.
However when asked by AT to explain how water companies continue to go unpunished for storm sewage overflow pollution incidents- the cause of the major fish kills on the Thames in 2004 and the Don last year-the Agency claimed that it is not practicable or justifiable to eliminate storm overflows.
Conservationists are left asking just how many dead fish it will take to justify the investment needed to modernise our ageing sewage system.


Copied from the Ogmore forum

The price we all pay for the worship of performance indicators

[highplains]

It would seem that we are getting, as a society, what we deserve. If so many are apathetic then the government and its quangos and the like will walk all over us.

This new age with computer and Internet power will allow those that actually care to try to wake up the public to what is really happening. It is for this reason that the Campaign is running and will continue to run until something positive is done to address the issue. We have the chance to make a difference. Please sign up for the campaign.

Regards,

Highplains

[highplains]

The following items are taken direct from a paper to be presented to FERAC.



3.0 Enforcement Activity Report

3.1 Enforcement Review Update

We have received confirmation from WAG that we can proceed with some of the low cost/quick win recommendations made in the Enforcement Report to WAG. We are progressing actions relating to the following :

• Improved incident response
• Greater awareness of 0800 number.
• Training for club bailiffs
• Greater inter-Area co-operation
• Joint working with other organisations
• Tackling fish theft.

We are considering the Ministers response in respect of other recommendations.

3.2 Rivercall/0800 Launch

The expanded Rivercall service in Wales was launched by WAG Minister, Jane Davidson, at the Royal Welsh Show. The service now includes 34 rivers in Wales and will generate some additional income for the function that will be reinvested in fisheries projects. The promotional card also doubles as an Aide Memoire for reporting suspected illegal fishing incidents through the 0800 80 70 60 hotline.

It is interesting to note that the EAW are obviously well aware that the 0800 80 70 60 number is not used in the way it should be and is in fact looked upon with derision. I therefore welcome the initiative to increase awareness of the number. It is a shame there is no initiative to increase response times to meaningful levels. I do hope that when the report is given and reference is made to the 66 calls they say were made nationally on the 0800 80 70 60 line that they will make clear to those to whom the report is addressed that the fishery related numbers of around 30 are far from representative of the situation because of the fact that the 0800 80 70 60 number is perceived to be a waste of time by those who should be using it.

It is no good raising awareness of the number when they can do little to respond to calls. They should be adding a genuine incentive to the angling community by saying something like - "use the number to show us there is a problem and we will provide a meaningful response". They must realise that their platitudes are no replacement or alternative to actions. It seems to me the whole system is currently set up to prove what they have been saying for years; that there is little poaching, not establishing the true facts.

The season is now over and we can turn our efforts to applying pressure to the EAW and to the Assembly to provide more funding. However the Assembly are less likely to listen to us if their advisers (EAW) are singing from a different hymn sheet.

Come on EAW start to work with us. We share a common interest or at least we should???