This consultation gives more details on creating the new Natural Resources Body for Wales.

This link is worth a look and wider publication target=”_blank”>http://www.defra.gov.uk/aahm/guidance/angling-under-threat/

Please pass it on.

For those that attended the North Wales Fisheries Conference last week, one issue that raised a great deal of interest was the matter of Piscivorous birds, the posh collective term for birds that eat fish, and the apparent difficulty of applying for the appropriate licence. Representatives from the Welsh Government were there to assist and give advice on just how to proceed, and very good they were too. They made it clear that if in applying you have any difficulty with the forms or  acquiring the information needed to be included on them, they would help, if not their office directly they” knew a mad who could.”

You should know that the Welsh Government are of the view that bird eating fish are not a problem in Wales nor are they an issue with our fisheries. Why? Because only 6 applications to kill them were made in the whole of last year . So if you think these birds are an issue, then try to see that your club makes the appropriate application. You may also like to note that the Welsh Government are also of the view that poaching is not an issue. Why? Because of the lack of reports that poaching takes place. So remember to  call 0800 80 70 60  and report all incidents and then, please do not forget to confirm that call on this web site “Report and Incident” tab, you can also report under that tab, any suspected wrong doing or potential poaching that you may hear about or suspect is being planned. Over to you! Click on the titles below to see the .PDF file which you can then print off.

Guidance note for completing your application form

Application Form

Llyn Padarn

THE return of a toxic algal bloom to a Snowdonia lake could spell disaster for some of the area’s businesses.

Fishermen and a canoeing firm have called for Dwr Cymru and the Environment Agency to sort out the problems that have blighted Llyn Padarn, Llanberis, for years.

Bathers were banned from the lake in 2009 because of algal bloom fed by sewage and phosphates such as shower gels and washing powders, which remove oxygen from the water which is vital for fish.

Llyn Padarn is home to a rare population of Artic char.

The Seiont, Gwyrfai and Llyfni Fishing Society have campaigned for years for something to be done. Secretary Huw Hughes said Artic char could become extinct in three years.

He said: “An Environment Agency report said that 40% of the sewage into Llyn Padarn was raw. In the end, somebody will get sick.

“Dwr Cymru should pipe the sewage to the sea at Treborth and the Government should force them to do it. The Environment Agency should also use their powers.”

Phil Nelson, of Surflines, on the Llyn Padarn shore, said: “When the algal bloom came last time it cost me £50,000. That’s two jobs gone. I can’t afford to suffer any other loss. It’s now known as a toxic lake.

“We’ve got the Slate Man Triathlon next weekend with 750 people. The agencies all seem blase and say: ‘We’ll keep monitoring”.

“Dwr Cymru should be forced to reduce the phosphate discharge into the lake.”

Llyn Padarn Forum chairman Alun Ffred Jones AM said: “I’m very critical of scientists who haven’t listened to the fishermen’s concerns and the agencies who haven’t protected the lake.” The problems were also highlighted in the Senedd by AM Mark Isherwood.

A Dwr Cymru spokesman the company aimed to reduce the amount of nutrients entering the lake.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Raw sewage is not feeding into Llyn Padarn, the effluent discharging into the lake has been treated. However, on occasion, there are overflows into the catchment area that discharge to the lake during storms.”

Gwynedd Council’s maritime and country parks officer Barry Davies said it was applying for Llyn Padarn to have the equivalent of “Blue Flag” status by 2013.

He said: “If granted, this status will mean that the waters of Llyn Padarn, in so far as is reasonably possible, will have to meet with European standards for bathing water. This is equivalent to the high standard that already applies to coastal bathing waters.”

Another consultation and one which requires input from sea and game anglers. At this stage more an information gathering process: the start of a process which looks as though it could be thorough. If you don’t comment or pass on information, then don’t complain if the outcome does not meet with you approval. The link below will take you to the consultation documents in PDF format.The letter of introduction will take you to the Assembly web site where you can find the questions in word format to complete and return to the Assembly. If you have any comments please use the forum: Consultations thread

Link to Letter of introduction

Link to Consultation document

Link to Annex 1 and 2

Link to Annex 3

Link to Annex 4 to 6

Link to Appendices

Link to Questions

Activity codes of conduct consultation starts

The Countryside Council For Wales (soon to be joined to the Environment Agency) are consulting on angling, wild swimming and canoeing. Please advise your club committee and urge them to respond. For your convenience you can print all three papers in one PDF by clicking on the link below.

Link to Combined papers