LOFCA Consultative meeting August 4 The main topics covered were The Marine Bill and its aspirations including a new system of licences, will allow the introduction of emergency byelaws to control changing situations. A new regime for the introduction of fish to inland waterways. Changes to allow the Agency to deal more effectively with fish theft issues. No To unregulated Canoe access!The BCU via Selby MP John Grogan have put forward a motion to Government that proposes unrestricted access to all waterways by canoeists. In some areas canoeists are acting irresponsibly with regard to negotiated access and completely ignoring the rights of anglers and fisheries. Martin Salter the Reading West MP countered this with amended proposals to eliminate this threat to our sport. Martin asked anglers to lobby their own MPs, but this did not happen Regrettably as ever it seems anglers will not act until the situation is out of hand and possibly to late.Angling Unity update the main National Fishery membership organisations are still working together to establish one body to represent all anglers. What will the new body do? Items on the agenda include Increased funding for teaching youngsters fishing. Reverse the decline in government funding for fisheries despite the current increase in revenue from rod licences. Reinstate angling and fisheries into the heart of the EA and DEFRA’s policies. Raise local issues to National Level. Support Angling clubs with legal advice. Control sand and gravel extraction. Reverse the damage caused by commercial over fishing at sea. Secure management strategies for predators such as cormorants and goosanders. Reduce abstraction of water from rivers. Demand better enforcement and legislation to prevent fish theft, illegal sales of fish and poaching. Keep fish diseases such as KHV out of the UK. Use the law to stop damage occurring to aquatic habitats. This will all need the support of anglers. For more information log on to www.anglingunity.co.uk Members heard there are concerns with the new rules allowing the water authorities to police their own water quality. What yardstick will be used? We all know that water quality is of paramount importance to the state of our waterways.Kye Jerrom from the Environment Agency gave details of local fishery netting and acoustic surveys. Pollution incidents were discussed, including the use of hydrogen peroxide to combat algae blooms causing oxygen reduction and fish deaths. It was suggested that all clubs should obtain an oxygen meter to monitor their fisheries. Kye finished with a question and answer session dealing with members concerns and requirements. More information is available on the EA web site including news of a waste operator heavily fined for blatantly ignoring Environment Laws. An EA safety warning concerning the dangers of swimming in local waterways. Plus information on areas and issues that the EA are responsible for. Member clubs were asked to put forward schemes for improving their fisheries, these were discussed and taken on board by the EA. KLAA representatives asked for angling platforms on the Little Ouse as the banks are bad in the winter, the best time to fish the water. It was suggested that a scheme be discussed to improve the access to the banks on sections of the Relief Channel. Bury St Edmunds informed members that the 18K scheme to improve the River Blackwater was due to start. Secretary Richard Hiom (Tel 07731990783) asked if any members knew of other clubs that could benefit from joining LOFCA Next Meeting October 29th at Littleport. |
