The Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM) today criticised the government for missing the opportunity to tackle the major issue of fish passage with the new Marine and Coastal Access Act.
The part of the act which could require changes to remove barriers to fish passage, with the exception of barriers for eels, have been delayed until at least 2011 on the advice of the Better Regulation Executive on the grounds of cost.
While it welcomed the majority of the act, the IFM, the professional body for anyone working in fisheries or aquaculture, sounded caution on the delays, which could lead to rivers not achieving ‘good’ ecological status.
Chair of the institute Ian Dolben said: “We are very disappointed that the introduction of measures to improve fish passage has been delayed until 2011 on the basis of cost and believe this is a massive missed opportunity.
“While we understand that, in these tough economic times, cost is a major factor, we believe it is very short-sighted to delay the implementation of this part of the act, as it could risk the UK’s ability to comply with Water Framework Directive deadlines.
“So the cost of improving fish passage has potentially been passed from mainly private companies which own the obstructions to the UK taxpayer, as we risk infraction proceedings from the EU and a potential fine if we do not comply with legislation.”
The new Marine and Coastal Access Act does include measures to improve passage for eels, one of the most endangered fish in the world, but delays any obligation on the owners of obstructions to improve fish passage for other species until 2011.
Additional Information:
The implementation of the ‘Free Passage of Fish Order’ has been delayed until 2011 on the advice of the Better Regulation Executive on the grounds of cost.
Obstructions to fish passage will be assessed on a risk basis by the Environment Agency and the owners, mainly large private companies such as utilities, will be obliged to make changes to allow free movement of fish.
At present such changes can be required by the Environment Agency only when other work to obstructions is proposed, such as when hydropower schemes are built.
