THIS PICTURE IS OF A NORWEGIAN HUNTER / PROTECTOR WITH A TOTAL OF 12 CORMORANTS, ON ONE OUTING, IT IS LEGAL TO CULL THEM IN NORWAY AS IT IS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES. IN NORWAY THE ATLANTIC SALMON RIVERS ARE EXCEPTIONALLY WELL STOCKED. COMPARE THIS TO THE DOVEY CATCHMENT UNDER THE LICENSING SCHEME, IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN AT THE LEAST 6 YEARS TO ACHEIVE THIS, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE WHEN YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE RESTRICTIONS SURROUNDING THE LICENSING SCHEME.

EMOTIONAL VIEWS-versus-COMMON SENSE.

In the NRW Public Enquiry in 2018, promises were made which were and are to date, not being fulfilled, some would rightfully argue that the Byelaw passed in 2020 against the 'Angling Fraternity', on the basis of those promises that NRW have failed to deliver on, should invalidate the Byelaw, and add to that, the NRW kicked the can down the road.

Let us now look at the developments following on from this period to see if the 'Can Kicking' is still on their agenda and continuing??

NRW Meeting July 2022 

Chaired by: Professor Steve Ormerod, Cardiff University.

Vice Chair: Madeline Howard an NRW Board Member.

The advisory group comprised representatives from NRW, RSPB Cymru, Welsh Ornithological Society, Afonydd Cymru, Salmon and Trout Conservation Cymru, Angling Trust, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, and were advised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and two independent experts on fish and avian population dynamics and wildlife conflict resolution. Representatives from Welsh Government, Natural England and Nature Scotland participated as observers.

Acting on the advisory group’s recommendations, NRW’s action plan will:

Explore the use of catchment-based licences for better coordination in control of fish-eating birds to help conserve vulnerable fish populations.

Research on the following revealed.

Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

Dylan Roberts Head of Fisheries. 

From contact made with Dylan Roberts it appears that he is on side but is part of the NRW Process, his reports downloaded from research are encouraging and are as follows, 

'It was a pleasure to speak at the UK rivers summit to highlight the plight and current state of knowledge on the reasons behind the decline in our wild Atlantic Salmon. It was also a wonderful opportunity to hear about the work of the leading NGO's who are working to protect our rivers and also the challenges they face in influencing government policy in England and Wales. The key take home message for me was that the steady erosion of resources for the governments environmental regulators means that they are powerless to do their work effectively, there are enough rules and regulations in place , they simply are not enforced.. Successive governments have prioritised cheap food and water over the environment resulting in a biodiversity crisis. Until the government gets serious about protecting our environment with proper enforcement the crises will continue'.

Populations of our Salmon and Seatrout are on the brink of extinction. Protecting every young fish, to enable them to reach the sea safely is paramount. We are at the point where every fish, juvenile or adult, counts. As a group of fish conservation organisations we are delighted that the board has accepted each recommendation in full, and we now urge NRW to put resources in place to implement and deliver this new more effective fish eating birds management policy to better protect Salmon and Seatrout populations to help them to a sustainable conservation level. Populations of Salmon and Seatrout have declined significantly over the last 30 years, with NRW now classifying populations on every river at risk or probably at risk. This means that populations of these iconic fish in Wales are now below sustainable levels and on a downward trend.

Is he being ignored here or has he been hoodwinked?

Afonydd Cymru.

Viscount Mills takes the Chair at Afonydd Cymru.

Chris Mills graduate in Biological Science, Masters degree in Fish Biology, sits on the boards of RSPB Angling Trust and Institute of Fisheries Management.

Afonydd Cymru is very pleased to announce that Chris Mills has agreed to become our Chairman and was formally elected at our recent board meeting. Chris will be best known as the last Chief Executive Director of the Environment Agency Wales, before the creation of NRW, and he reports:

'Afonydd Cymru ' was pleased to be party to this review and welcomes NRW's decision to allow increased measures to minimise the predation of migratory salmonids by fish-eating birds. It is important that all the biodiversity of our rivers is conserved. However Salmon and Seatrout populations have crashed dramatically in recent years, and previous research has shown that smolts are particularly vulnerable to predation by Cormorants and Goosanders. This dramatic decline in our stocks of Salmon and Seatrout requires urgent priority action to protect these increasingly endangered fish. 'The Rivers Trust Movement in Wales' ??, welcomes the opportunity to work with NRW and other stakeholders to determine the most effective ways to minimise this predation.

Is he onside? Well, Mmmm!, three e-mails, I sent to him detailing the 'Petition', a few days in between and each one has been returned unanswered, sent back in the form they were sent to him, which begs the question,' Where is he coming from? , because of his involvement with RSPB is he being rather political in avoiding my question??.

SALMON AND TROUT CONSERVATION WALES

Research revealed that it is now reportedly called 'WildFish Wales' but I failed to find any further details on the (Wales) aspect whilst several approaches to 'Wildfish' with the 'Petition' has met with no response, otherwise than to say it may be automated response e-mails, except one which stated that my mail had been forwarded to the Team, who did not respond. 

JOINT STATEMENT issued BY AFONYDD CYMRU, THE ANGLING TRUST, WILD FISH WALES,(formerly Salmon and Trout Conservation Wales) GAME AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST.(where WildFish Wales originates from)

North Wales Rivers Trust ( Mentioned by Chris Mills above)

CEO Laura Bowen Sanderson

In dialogue via messages and e-mails regarding NWRT position re Avian Predation, actually prompted my setting up the 'Petition' in the first place, she said.

It is widely accepted that fish eating birds are having a negative effect on fish stocks. NRW as the regulators are the only ones in position to oversee any regulations for this. As an organisation, the North Wales Rivers Trust's main remit is on improving water quality, fish habitats, and removing barriers to fish migration. While we recognise that poaching and bird predation are impacting fish stocks, we do not have the authority to regulate or enforce licenses for bird predation. That falls under the jurisdiction of NRW (Natural Resources Wales), who are the regulators in charge of overseeing such regulations. We have spoken with the fisheries officer and I have a meeting on Friday so I will pose the question again about the numbers of Goosanders and regulating numbers in light of the latest report.

As a trust we are actively working with the University to explore non-lethal ways to deter predation and are also implementing more habitat cover to protect fish from predation. We are constantly seeking funding to address various issues, including invasive species control, which can have devastating impacts on native species. In fact, I am currently applying for additional funding to support our efforts.

My response.

Thank you for your detailed reply, It is quite apparent that you have registered what i have tried to relay in my mail's and messages to you and i do sympathise with you for the situation you find yourself in. The facebook post on the 'North Wales Rivers Trust's views, prompted my response

Relative to the subject matter, with respect, i do not believe you have failed to understand the concern about 'Avian Predation' on the ultimate survival of the Atlantic Salmon and Seatrout, and the survival of our once crystal streams and rivers, but your choice of the use of the word 'impacting' instead of 'devastating'seems to suggest your misunderstanding of the severity of the situation, simmilar in view to that of the learned being's at the NRW that Anglers have relentlessly harrassed over the situation for many years, without the required response.

To support this 'impacting' stance with 'working actively with the University to explore non lethal ways to deter predation' explained by the placing of screens in rivers to protect salmonids, explains your's and the NRW's misguided views of the situation, it follows, again with the utmost respect that you have not fully realised the importance of this 'Absolute' control required to assist your other very important key issues.Too much time is, and has been already wasted on methods that have no hope in halting the 'Predation'. Nothing other than inclusion on the 'General Licence' will succeed, so that everyone is involved in enhancing an historical and proven method, although it may be upsetting to some, to be the absolutely necessary impact required.

I also explained that Salmonids have used the rivers for milenia and that changing the ecology of the river may not suit the inhabitants, and is likely to fail, Predation will prevail and succeed when eventually the fish leave cover provided, as they are presently when leaving natural cover.

I understand the position here, relative to invasive non native species which Goosanders are, against Salmonids a native Species in need of urgent protection, I wish she and NRW did. My view on North Wales Rivers Trust is clear for all to see, in the Zoom recorded Interview at the end of the Update dated 19th August.

Angling Trust.

Mark Owen, Head of Fisheries Angling Trust, 

The AT welcome the difficult decision that NRW have made in the interests of conservation of Salmon and seatrout, two threatened with extinction in Wales. We look forward to robust but sensitive planning to control fish eating birds during this period of decline for Salmon but also ensure that strong legal measures are put in place to control agricultural pollution, other sources of pollution and river habitat degradation which must be regulated. For too long NRW have focused on implementing rules to prevent anglers from taking fish but have done little to address the broader pressures on Salmon and Seatrout, including from predation. I hope that today's decision will mark the beginning of a change in approach from NRW

Mark Owen seems to be onside, has he been hoodwinked and ignored here?

Who were the Angling Clubs / Riparian Owners / Private Hatchery Owners, and actual representatives whose constant complaints led to the creation of this meeting ?? why were they not invited and included ??

NRW produced a 79 page report on this meeting in July 2022, in which pages 70 to 73 is pointed towards the cause. They have drowned in paperwork , Rivers are not protected through constant meetings, or from behind a computer screen, with constant in-action, or with emotional views. Their decision to appoint a 'Project Manager' described elsewhere as a 'Freshwater Lead Specialist' when the problem that exists has hit them in the face relenlessly and constantly, now and in the past, and who's report is not expected until 2025, is nothing other than a further kick down the road to that can, i related to earlier.

HAVE YOU? written to your AM/MP, or visited them in their constituency surgeries, if not why not? URGENT ACTION OF THIS KIND IS REQUIRED.

Whilst we should trust that Nature has a wonderful way of dealing with existing problems, sometimes it is good to help it along and this is what is URGENTLY required here.

Thank you for your continued support

Gwilym Hughes