On the 21st May 2023 a hard copy 5 page letter detailing the concerns regarding the 'Avian Predation' was sent out 1st class post to 17 recipients within 'National Resources Wales' the 'Welsh Assembly' and varying MP's and AM's local to North Wales and the House of Lords.
Non existent and minimalistic response (except one) led to the creation of this 'Petition' launched on the 14th June, live 15th June, which with your support and contributions have led to 61,580 views, 1,019 shares and 81 promoters with a growing VOTE now reaching over 1550, relatively slow but positive.
On route, in the past 2 months I have had many discussions with varying 'Angling Groups' and individuals who have on principle agreed with the thoughts reported in the 'Petition' but rather than VOTE in support have taken a stance of what I would term as 'fence sitting', but I am pleased to say that these individuals are in the minority, well, those that have spoken out anyway, whilst there are others who possibly have remained silent over the issues. I would guess that there are various and varied reasons for this, but that is for another day. I again, respectfully but forcibly point out that 'STRENGTH IS IN UNITY' and whilst we remain disjointed N.R.W. will find it easier for them to deal with the 'Angling Fraternity', but our 'CAUSE' is not impossible, far from it.
On the 8th August I received a message from Andy Ford on behalf of' 'Fieldsports.channel tv' requesting an interview with regards to the 'Petition', which I agreed to and this was reported on their news release on the 9th August. I completed the Interview recording on the 14th August.. Andy's approach to N.R.W. with my recorded interview, for a response was met with, 'NO ONE WAS AVAILABLE WITHIN THE TIME LIMIT SET' for going live with it, how many are there in their HQ ?, but that does not mean that it will not happen, maybe, sometime, and in the written response to him by a Martyn Gough, reiterating what Ben Wilson 'Principal Fisheries Advisor' for N.R.W. had said, and includes, 'We have appointed a Freshwater Fisheries Lead Specialist to take forward this action plan over the next two years' just what was readily available on their NRW Website since their July 2022 meeting of the 19 points put forward for adoption.
Strangely!!!!! On the same day 14th August I get a response e-mail signed by a Robert Floyd, Head of Aquaculture Freshwater and Migratory Fisheries Policy, Welsh Assembly Government, regarding my 21st May hard copy letter to a number of respondents within the Welsh Assembly, which they claim reached the department as dated by themselves 30th May and dating the response as ( ?? )July 2023 ??, it was the 14th August . We will all have ideas on what happened there!
Present stance as I see it is. NRW know what is required, have kicked the can down the road once again, similar to their action in bullying the 'Angling Fraternity' into accepting an enforced byelaw regarding Salmon and Seatrout in 2020, against their own failures, and remember in their thoughts was their written release on their website that they were considering banning Salmon Angling because of the dire state of the Salmon stocks.
Well the can has come to rest against a stone wall you can call the 'ANGLING FRATERNITY'. Do the right thing now NRW, leave your emotions and those of your in bed partner organisations behind and fulfil your obligations under the auspices of Section 28 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975, your main help in this is in the 'Angling Fraternity', 'Riparian Owners' and 'Fisheries', listen to them and place the 'Avian Predators' on the General Licence and open up the hatcheries. In fact, your only hope in the situation which you and your relative recent predecessors have created is coming back to haunt you, support the 'Angling Fraternity' and they will help and support you.
Lets now evaluate the situation for NRW and their nameless 'Freshwater Lead Specialist' of what is happening daily. Predation is at an unsustainable level, it matters not what non lethal methods they suggest and adopt, it will not solve the problem. They are predators and will find a way.
There will be further developments which I will update you with as they surface, keep VOTING and SHARING please, we will get there.
Thank you all for your continued support.
Gwilym Hughes