SACN: An appeal for help.

[Leon Roskilly]

I received the following appeal from Frank Beaugendre, a member of the SACN Executive group:

 

Dear Leon and SACN members,

 

Rowland would greatly appreciate a few emails to Mike German the Welsh Agri Fish minister, particularly from visiting sea angling tourists, complaining about the detrimental effect of gill netting on recreational species like bass, mullet, wrasse, rays and flounder in Wales and asking him to do something about it before they redirect their sea angling holidays to other regions.

 

Apparently Mike is well aware of the economic value of RSA and was quite sympathetic to Rowland's suggestion of a one mile net free zone.

 

Rowland points out that what is good for Wales will undoubtedly be good for the rest of the UK in time.

 

Regards

 

FrankB

 

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To: Michael.German@wales.gov.uk

Subject: Welsh recreational angling concerns

 

Dear Mike German, AM

 

As the new Agriculture/Fisheries minister for the Welsh Assembly Government, I would appreciate if you could find time to answer a few questions which are being asked by a large number of recreational sea anglers in Wales, and also anglers from England who come to Wales for Holidays, and some who come into Wales most weekends, especially out of the main tourist season.

 

As an Assembly member, you will be aware of the report on inland fisheries prepared for the Welsh Assembly by Nautilus consultants.

 

As a refresher it states the value of recreational sea angling in Wales and also the value of commercial fishing in Wales.

 

The figures for the recreational fishery have been contested by a Welsh sea fisheries committee, who reckon the figure for recreational fishery is nearer £70 million.

 

Over £60 Millon more than the commercial fishery!

 

What recreational anglers whould like your views on are -

 

1. The recognition of species which are vital to the welfare of the recreational sea fishery and its many dependant industries.

 

2. Your ideas on ways of increasing protection for species like bass, mullet, rays, flounder and wrasse, species which take years to reach maturity and which are now subject to unsustainable and irrational commercial harvesting?

 

3. Do you appreciate the nature of the economic contribution these species make to coastal communities and the wider economy through sea angling?

 

4. Are you aware of the management policy adopted for bass in Ireland?

 

5. Do you think the offshore bass fishery should be closed during the spawning season?

 

6. Could you possibly find an answer to the Question, "Why is the government spending so much of our money to support unsustainable fisheries?

Fisheries which provide the lowest returns at maximum environment cost, shouldn't some of the money be spent to encourage the much more valuable low impact fisheries where the young adult bass and increasingly younger adult bass would be mainly returned providing much needed income to the Welsh coastal tourism industry for many years to come"

 

With the review of the CFP presently in progress these and many other questions are being asked by recreational anglers. Look forward to your reply.

 

Yours Sincerely

Rowland Sharp

(Recreational angler)

 

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The Nautilus Consultants report referred to, is available at:

 

http://www.nautilus-consultants.co.uk/pdfs/wales.pdf

 

I can email a copy of the CCW’s response, also mentioned, to anyone who wants it.

 

Tight Lines – Leon Roskilly (SACN Co-ordinator)

Sea Anglers’ Conservation Network

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/sacn/

[Norrie]

Hi Leon, could I have a copy of the CCW response please.

Thanks.

Norrie

[Leon Roskilly]

Norrie:

Hi Leon, could I have a copy of the CCW response please.

Thanks.

Norrie

On it's way

 

Tight Lines - leon

Sea Anglers' Conservation Network (SACN)

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/sacn/