We would usually put any Fish Legal posts under the newsletters tab, but the increasing gulf between the treatment of anglers and angling in England and Wales is particularly galling. In Wales we are treated with disdain by NRW senior management and the Assembly Government, in England angling is being encouraged and promoted. Has somebody in NRW or the Welsh Government got an anti angling agenda?

Tuesday, 17th November 2015 All the latest fishing news from the Angling Trust and Fish Legal Due to a problem with our email servers, the Angling Trust and Fish Legal e-newsletter we sent last week was not delivered to your email address. For this reason we are resending the email below: Thank you for subscribing for e-news from Angling Trust & Fish Legal and FishingInfo. In this edition there’s great news for the fight against angling related crime, plus a new £200,000 give-back to angling from rod licence funds as well as money saving member offers… Angling Trust and Fish Legal – Main News Six retired police officers join Angling Trust’s fight against fisheries crime Six former police officers have been appointed to help fight fisheries crime. It now means our enforcement team has a presence across the whole of the country. Read more HERE Clubs and Fisheries: Help fight illegal fishing If you hold a position at an angling club or fishery, or know someone who does, please do our survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/licencecheck and help us crack down on rod licence crime. Rod licence sales set to fund even more angling improvement projects The Angling Trust and the Environment Agency are releasing an additional £200,000 of funding as part of the ‘Angling Improvement Fund’. This is sufficient to fund 50 projects. We will be hosting three workshops in November with advice on how to apply. > Find out more and book your place at a workshop Fish Legal News You can read more Fish Legal news HERE Consultation closes for Scottish Government’s revised salmon kill licence proposal The Scottish Government’s consultation on revised proposals for a new salmon ‘kill licence’ has closed. The original proposals were for a total ban on the killing of salmon except under licence. The revised proposals will allow for the killing of salmon by recreational anglers where the river can demonstrate ‘good conservation status’. The Scottish Government have published a map showing which rivers demonstrate ‘good conservation status’ which is mainly the famous east coast rivers. Whilst fishing organisations have concerns regarding the mechanics of how conservation status is established, the revised proposals have received a cautious welcome. Fish Legal member suffers beaver damage As members may know, there is currently an evaluation taking place in Scotland about selective re-introduction of beavers. There is also an escaped wild colony in Devon, the fate of which is currently being considered. Unfortunately, beavers themselves are not so selective and our member’s fishery in the south of England is suffering worrying tree loss due to an unlawful escape of beavers from an adjacent property. At present our member has been advised to monitor tree damage, in particular to standing trees which are at risk of falling and causing damage due to the unexpected attention of Europe’s largest rodents. Defra plans to tackle agricultural pollution Defra has issued a consultation on proposed new rules for farmers in order to tackle agricultural pollution. Somewhat coincidentally, the consultation follows the High Court’s recent decision to grant WWF-UK, the Angling Trust and Fish Legal permission to challenge Defra and the EA over their failure to protect England’s conservation sites from agricultural pollution. The consultation can be accessedhere should you wish to participate. General News and Classifieds Events and articles of interest from the Angling Trust and the world of fishing Match A Hatch App We really like this new app for trout anglers called Match A Hatch which does exactly what it says for just £2.99. It has beautiful and detailed pictures of all the major dry flies from the highly respected Dr Cyril Bennett MBE, and suggestions for the artificial flies that imitate them. It also provides a guide to the likely flies you will find hatching each month. Angling Trust & Fish Legal Chief Executive Mark Lloyd said: “This app is really easy to use and I have found it very helpful for trying to work out what the trout are eating – they can be very picky! “I’m sure it will help you catch more fish.” More details, including a video demonstration, atwww.matchahatch.com or download from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Download in November and 25% of the profits will support the Angling Trust & Fish Legal. Please Vote For Get Hooked on Fishing Get Hooked on Fishing has been nominated for the ‘Achievement 2015′ category in Angling Times’ National Angling Awards for the Family Fishing campaign which engaged with 5,000+ anglers. > Please go to www.gofishing.co.uk and vote now! Carp Society Winter Show Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 November 2015 Come and meet Angling Trust Carp Team England Gold Medal Champions at the Carp Society Winter Show at Sandown Park (KT10 9AJ) along with amazing angling artistDusto. Team Manager Rob Hughes will be joined by some Carp Team members on both days to tell you all about gold winning bait, tactics and strategy that you can apply to your own angling. The boys are on stage Saturday at 2.15 joined by our Campaigns Chief Martin Salter who will have an update on the 3-rod licence issue. Dusto will be graffiti spraying incredible pictures of carp – watch on as the art is produced on our stand. Don’t miss it – you can even commission a painting of your own fish from a capture-shot you have. Talk to Dusto… PLUS: All your Winter Show favourites including celebrities, book signings, the latest products, bargains, FREE forums and FREE parking. > Follow the event on Facebook and get it in your diary NOW! > Buy advance tickets HERE Bigger Thames TideFest Championship in 2016 The date for a bigger, better, Thames TideFest Angling Championship organised by the Angling Trust and Thames Water, will be Sunday, September 11th 2016 on the Thames in London. > Read more Environment Agency “Rivercall” phone line closes The Environment Agency “Rivercall” phone line is now closed but you can still get river level info free fromFishingInfo.co.uk Come and meet Polish Anglers for a pike fish-in Our Building Bridges team join up with London Anglers Association for a friendly fish-in at Lynn Rd, Ely CB7 4TD on 28th November between 8:00am and 3:00pm. Spinning and deadbait only. A “Lure Angler’s Sweet Shop” with a tempting selection of soft-plastics from “Predator Maniac” will accompany a Polish Sausage BBQ afterwards. > Info: radoslaw.papiewski@anglingtrust.net Unique reel making equipment for sale Our Trade Member, Dave Lewthwaite is disposing of his production equipment for Lewtham Products well known and highly regarded centre-pin reels, including the Magnum Black and Blue, Leeds and Swift centrepins. Interested in preserving a bit of angling history? Contact Dave ondw.lewthwaite@ntlworld.com Help us get more people fishing more often… Our participation events and competitions are for anglers of all abilities. Get involved, come along, bring a friend and have a go! Don’t forget that occasional anglers and newcomers can buy a one-day or eight-day rod licence. Calling All Sea Anglers: Sea Angling Species Hunt – Have You Registered Yet? We’ve just updated our Species Hunt for sea anglers pages with the latest results and news. The competition has great prizes and more chances to win > Go to www.anglingtrust.net/specieshunt and get hunting! Please download and display the Species Hunt poster. Competition News Read all the latest Angling Trust Competition news HERE RiverFest 2015 – come along to the final… It’s the RiverFest final weekend this Saturday and Sunday so come along to see some of the UK’s leading river anglers on arguably our best running water venue. Parking, match length access and entry to the prize presentation is all FREE and Hereford town centre is a 5 minute walk away for those who don’t want to watch. The action kicks off at 10.30am and ends at 3.30pm each day. > More info for spectators Opportunity to join Angling Trust Team England Fly Fishing Competitions Committee The Angling Trust is inviting experienced, passionate and dedicated volunteers to join our Team England Fly Fishing Competitions Committee. > Read more and apply Enter the National Fishing League Winter Season and win prizes The National Fishing League Winter Season is underway but it’s not too late to register to win prizes. It’s FREE and you could be crowned National Fishing League Champion! > Prize info and entry details Member Offers Angling Trust members get great special offers and discounts. There are more membership benefitson our website. To access these offers you will need a membership number so please join and support our campaigns for fish and fishing. The biggest discounts on Bauer Media fishing magazines! Angling Trust members get an amazing exclusive deal when they subscribe to one of Bauer Media’s fishing magazines (Angling Times, Improve Your Coarse Fishing magazine, Sea Angler magazine, Trout and Salmon magazine and Trout Fisherman magazine). 40% OFF 35% OFF 34% OFF 36% OFF 33% OFF 10% off EZ Feeda EZ Feeda is a British company that has designed a single handed catapult for loose feeding bait. Angling Trust individual members get 10% of when they checkout online. www.ezfeeda.co.uk 10% off Bank Tackle Online specialists in carp tackle offering a huge range of high quality terminal gear, equipment and luggage. Great products and  customer service with free delivery on UK orders. Angling Trust individual members get 10% off when they checkout online. www.banktackle.co.uk Social Media – Follow us! Find Us Online Our Blogs: www.anglingtrust.net/blogs Facebook: www.facebook.com/anglingtrust Twitter: www.twitter.com/anglingtrust YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/anglingtrust Try “Fishing Info” our website that allows you to find fishing venues, tackle shops, coaches and clubs near you and save them as your favourites: www.fishinginfo.co.uk Buy a 1 day, 8 day or annual rod licence www.postoffice.co.uk/rod-fishing-licence

Yet another scheme to help anglers over the border. There appears to be a radically different approach to angling in England thanks to the Angling Trust and the Environment Agency. Are Welsh angers being treated with disdain? Is it the Welsh Government that it against us or NRW? The question has to be asked.

NRW launches investigation as thousands of fish killed

PUBLISHED: 27 OCT 2015

Our officers have launched an investigation after thousands of fish were killed in a north Wales stream.

Up to 3,000 fish are believed to have been killed on a mile long stretch of the Nant Mawr between Ruthin and Denbigh. They include salmon, sea trout, brown trout, eels and bullheads.

The incident is believed to have been caused by a blockage in the river. This has now been removed and river levels are expected to return to normal shortly.

However, the Nant Mawr is an important spawning stream for fish and the incident is likely to have a serious effect on fish populations in the area.

Nant Mawr is a tributary of the Clywedog which feeds the River Clwyd.

NRW officers warn that as the river flows return to normal, the carcasses are likely to be washed downstream.

The fish may have been dead for a few days and people are asked not to touch the carcasses and allow them to be washed away naturally.

Emyr Jones, leading the investigation for Natural Resources Wales, said:

“Fish such as trout and salmon are an important part of the ecology of our rivers and our economy.

“We are now investigating the cause of the blockage and will look at taking enforcement action against anyone who may be responsible.”

This is an appeal from the Countryside Alliance.

The closing of the hatcheries in Wales had an easy ride because there were just 100 responses to the consultation process. It was not made clear that those responses were submitted on behalf of many thousands of anglers. Don’t let them think we don’t care, we need you to respond, however briefly: PLEASE

Take action for rural Wales

Dear Sustainable Access Campaign Cymru supporter,

A new e-campaign has been launched to enable you to have your say on the ongoing access campaign – take part here.

With your help, we persuaded the Welsh Government not to bring in new legislation for access to the countryside when it published its green paper on the subject in 2014. We were told that this was because officials received an unprecedented volume of letters and emails from supporters of the status quo.

However, the Government has now launched a new consultation which could lead to new legislation opening up uncontrolled access to the countryside, to include rivers for canoes and white water rafts. We therefore need your help once again to persuade the Government that this would be a disaster for the sectors of the rural economy that depend on fishing, and that they should maintain the entirely sensible policy of supporting Voluntary Access Agreements, which make it possible for appropriate levels of access to be decided at a local level to reflect the conditions on each river.

We would encourage you all to respond to this consultation individually and as clubs. The Countryside Alliance has launched an e-lobby direct to the consultation team and you can add your own text to that letter. This is a short-fix and a more detailed comprehensive response will be sent by the CA in due course, however, to ensure that we have a large number of responses we would encourage you to forward the link and get as many supporters as possible to sign up. You can access the lobby at http://act.voteaction.uk/a/84 and the Welsh Government consultation can be read in full here.

Alternatively, you can send a letter to Landscape and Outdoor Recreation Branch, Rhodfa Padarn, Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3UR or e-mail: AccessandOutdoorRecreation@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK by 2nd October saying that you are responding to the consultation on ‘Improving opportunities to access the outdoors for responsible recreation’. You do not have to answer all the questions; you can just send a letter stating your views. It would also be helpful if you could write to your Assembly Member letting them know that, as a voter, you do not support proposals for uncontrolled access.

When responding to the consultation you might want to consider making the following points:

We believe that Voluntary Access Agreements (VAAs) are the best way to manage recreation responsibly on our rivers. For these to work, the canoeing governing bodies need to accept that VAAs will involve some reasonable restrictions on access to protect the property rights of angling clubs and riparian owners and to manage potential damage to the environment from watersports. This is the only thing standing in the way of more waters being opened up to canoeists.

It appears that some people in government think that Wales should have a similar system to access as in Scotland, where there are very few restrictions. The rivers in Wales are much smaller and less numerous than those in Scotland and there are far more people living in large cities near to those rivers. Even in Scotland there have been some serious impacts on the fishing economy because of the recent open access legislation.

Canoeists contribute very little to the rural economy; they tend to visit for the day and rarely spend much. Angling by contrast generates hundreds of millions for the economy, including millions in rod licence revenue. There is scope for anglers and canoeists to co-exist, but there need to be restrictions on canoeing to avoid an increase in canoeing being at the expense of angling, which is enjoyed by tens of thousands of people in Wales, including numerous local angling clubs, and many visitors who tend to stay longer and spend more than canoeists. Angling Tourism does not seem to feature and we need to highlight its contribution to the economy.

You could also say that sustainable access to land and water must:

be agreed locally between the relevant parties to reflect the particular local conditions and pressures rather than being generally imposed by national regulations.
be managed to avoid conflict between users;
respect the rights of people to continue to enjoy existing legitimate activities without disturbance;
not cause unreasonable interference with the rights of landowners and lessees to enjoy their property;
not damage the natural environment or the ecosystem services it provides by causing damage to wildlife and habitats.
Over the past year, the Angling Trust and Fish Legal have spent many days and thousands of pounds challenging the canoeing governing bodies in Wales and England to stop putting out misinformation on their web sites and publications which give the impression that the current law relating to access to rivers is unclear. Some progress has been made, and the governing bodies have changed some of the statements in some areas of their web sites. However, there remains a widespread misconception that the law is not clear, and the Angling Trust and Fish Legal have hired a barrister (an eminent QC) to give a formal opinion to inform governments and the general public and to provide further challenge to the canoe governing bodies.

SACC is also looking into the cost of attending all the Welsh Party Political Conferences early next year to highlight the campaign. This will be very expensive to facilitate, however we feel that it is crucial to the campaign. Each conference will cost approximately £1,500.

If you haven’t yet made a donation to the SACC, or if you could afford to make another donation, please send a cheque payable to The Angling Trust to Eastwood House, 6 Rainbow Street, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8DQ. Please mark your donation clearly for SACC and it will be devoted to SACC expenditure. Many thanks.

Thank you very much for your support and please don’t forget to respond to the consultation and/or write to your Assembly Member.

All best wishes

The SACC team
Secretary – rachel-evans@countryside-alliance.org

We are delighted (thrilled actually) to announce that the Trout and Salmon Magazine has listed the Campaign bid for funds to challenge the closure of Welsh hatcheries.

This is your chance to vote for our pitch which is as follows:

“The Board of Natural Resources Wales has recently announced the closure of all hatcheries with the exception of a proposed ‘centre of excellence’ in Brecon Beacons National Park. The evidence presented to the Board to justify their closure was more than 200 papers, which NRW contends provide scientific evidence that hatchery-bred fish lose their genetic integrity and are less robust than their wild counterparts. It is our contention that the quoted documents do not provide such proof. Conclusions that NRW have drawn are based upon supposition. Economic considerations have been the driving factor, not the protection of salmon stocks. The papers quoted actually support the principle of mitigation stocking. Critically, most rivers in England and Wales are forecast to be either ‘at risk’ or ‘probably at risk’ by 2018. Our pitch is for an independent scientist to be appointed to assess the papers provided by NRW as evidence for their policy to close all hatcheries. The outcome should be clear and the result measurable.”

We are up against some mighty competitors, all of whom have good cases. We believe however that, under present circumstances, ours is the best. If you agree vote for pitch number 1

This link will take you to the Facebook page which lists all eight competing bids. If you support us please vote

Click here to read the Pitches

and don’t forget to go to

the voting site to actually vote That’s here

Just clicking that you like the pitch does not register at a vote

A big thanks to those of you who have already taken the time to vote.

I have received this simple but poignant email advising of the death of Moc Morgan

“It is with the deepest regrets and a heavy grieving heart that I regretfully send this e-mail to inform you of the extremely sad news that Moc Morgan passed away peacefully this morning at his home in Waunfawr, Aberystwyth.  Deepest sympathies are extended to his wife Julia, his son Hywel and all the Family.”

WARNING issued by the EA to Wye lads. Please read this post and distribute the flyer on UDN. This MAY be serious.

Gentlemen

As influential men of the salmon fisheries of both the Severn and Wye could you please spread the word of the attached document and share. But most importantly can you please get a clear message out, that we DO NOT want fish killed that may be suspected of UDN or other skin conditions. The clear message from the Environment Agency at Local Area- all fish should returned alive- no matter what the condition, or returned even if dead and notify the Agency. Please also make it clear that removing salmon with a hand net e.g. it spotted dead or dying in the margins, is unlawful and could result in enforcement proceedings.Please encourage folks to notify the EA on the Emergency Hotline Number 0800 80 70 60,  if they suspect fish that are unwell or distressed in anyway.

DO NOT REMOVE OR KILL SALMON SUSPECTED OF UDN or OTHER SKIN CONDITIONS, CONTACT THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY. (In our case NRW)

Chris Bainger MIFM Cenv   Fisheries Technical Specialist    Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire

Click here: A flyer on UDN’