The representative body for anglers in England, the Angling Trust, wrote to the Chief Executive of the British Canoe Union (BCU) today demanding that his organisation condemns a planned illegal trespass protest on Saturday 22 October 2011 on the Hampshire Avon. The Angling Trust has also asked for public confirmation that no BCU staff will be involved in the protest, and that the BCU will make it clear to participants that they will not be covered by public liability insurance while participating in an activity which is not recognised by the National Governing Body for Canoeing.
The illegal trespass event could damage the fragile ecology of the Hampshire Avon, which is currently suffering from low flows. Gravel beds used for spawning by fish, and beds of Ranunculus fluitans (a water weed which is a vital habitat for invertebrates) could be damaged by large numbers of canoes passing through shallow water. The large, garish craft will also disturb the peace of the river and destroy anglers’ enjoyment of their sport by scaring fish away. An angling match for 30 anglers is planned on the day of the protest and this will be ruined by the illegal trespass. The Hampshire Avon is one of the most iconic rivers in the country for both coarse and game angling. The organisers are claiming in their e-mail promotion see note 1 that the event is not a mass trespass, but merely an exercise of an ancient right of access. The law is clear: no such right exists see note 2.
Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said: “This trespass is irresponsible and dangerous and could do physical damage to sensitive habitats in a river already suffering from over-abstraction and diffuse pollution. We urge the BCU to advise its members to stay away and to adopt a new position on canoe access that is less confrontational and works with angling clubs and riparian owners to secure new access – with sensible restrictions – for the country’s canoeists. Any sniff of support for this illegal protest would be highly irresponsible from a National Governing Body. We have contacted the police and have asked them to take action to arrest anyone participating in aggravated trespass.”
Stuart Wilson, the Riverkeeper employed by London Angling Association who have owned a stretch of the river since 1965, said: “Organising this event is completely unreasonable behaviour and will spoil the enjoyment of a group of anglers who pay a rod licence to fish and pay for a permit to fish at Britford. Their match has been organised for months and many will have travelled several hours to come and fish. They will be utterly disappointed if a group of canoeists who contribute nothing to the upkeep of the river come splashing through the river disturbing fish and other wildlife on an illegal process. They will spoil the fishing for the most of the rest of the morning.”
Stuart Wilson has experienced an increase in illegal canoeing over the past 3 years which is affecting the fishing and the presence of wildlife such as water voles.
