Outcome of the Local Inquiry on Natural Resources Wales’ proposed ‘All Wales Salmon and Sea Trout Byelaws

THE FOLLOWING IS COPIED FROM THE REPORT : THE APPEAL HAS BEEN LOST AND THE FOLLOWING WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 2020. PLEASE SEE THE NEW BYELAWS WEHEN PUBLISHED FOR FULL DETAILS.

The Byelaws 7. The proposed byelaws are detailed in full in Inquiry documents Ref. CD APP/52 & APP/53. The proposed byelaws are time limited to ten years and will implement a number of measures. In summary, the byelaws propose the following measures: • Catch and release of salmon – a mandatory requirement that any salmon caught by rods and nets will be returned to the river; • Rod fishing method controls which introduce and require: (a) a ban on treble and double hooks on lures; (b) a ban on treble hooks with a gape-size larger than 7mm for flies; and (c) use of barbless and debarbed hooks only; • Ban on fishing for salmon with worm bait; • A seasonal restriction on the use of shrimp and prawn bait; • A slot limit of 60cm for rod-caught sea trout; • Net fishing season changes (variable according to specific rivers); and, • Additional control measures are proposed to protect sea trout stocks on targeted rivers where these are deemed necessary, including statutory C&R fishing in the period when net fishing is constrained each year until 1st May, and method controls on bait before 1st May. 8. The proposed byelaws were informed by a detailed technical case (TC)5, and subject to a consultation process6. As a result of the consultation process amendments were subsequently incorporated into the proposed byelaws that NRW seeks to be confirmed. 9. During the course of the inquiry it became apparent that the proposed byelaws contained a drafting error which related to a prohibition on fishing for brown trout with a worm in addition to a number of minor typographical errors7. Bearing in the mind the prohibition on fishing for brown trout was clearly referred to in error and was not the intended effect 4 A list of those who presented evidence is included at Annex A of this report 5 Refer to CD APP/4 6 Refer to CD APP/6-13 7 Refer to ID NRW/INQ/23 Report ENV/3209811 3 https://gov.wales/planning-inspectorate Return to Contents of the byelaws, and would significantly disadvantage anglers, and the minor nonsubstantive nature of the typographical errors, I do not consider any prejudice would arise in the WM’s considering the proposed byelaws in light of these matters.