'MIXED UP IDEA'S'
I stand by the views portrayed by this 'Petition' and will continue to do so, a suspicion, a personal one is developing by the day and if you are not fully aware of all the facts then please visit all of the 'Updates' to bring yourself up to date. Scan through to the end of the 'Petition' and you will find the facts under the headings, as follows, back to June 2023.
WHERE ARE WE NOW?
WHY DELAY WHY DELAY WHY DELAY?
'BURY YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND'
'DUTY TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE FISHERIES'
'IT'S NEVER TOO LATE OR WILL IT BE'
'EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY'
'WHEN IT COMES TO FISHING ARE WELSH OFFICIALS AWAY WITH THE BIRDS'
'EMOTIONAL VIEWS VERSUS COMMON SENSE'
'MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE AND URGENT ACTION REQUIRED'
'NEGLECTFUL BEHAVIOUR OF N.R.W.
'N.R.W. LACK OF REGARDS IS INCOMPETENT APATHY'
'MOVING FORWARD ON CORMORANTS AND GOOSANDERS'
'THE BLACK PLAGUE'
'MORE SHARES REQUIRED PLEASE'
'DEFEND OUR FISH STOCKS, SAY NO TO AVIAN PREDATION'
The delay of the 2022 final outcome of this 'Plan on Avian Predation' by National Resources Wales until 2025, is now becoming more suspicious, and very worrying. The recent history of their actions against 'Anglers' with the 2020 byelaw after a public enquiry together with their lack of action on 'Avian Predation', knowing full well how devastating and increasing the annual effect is on the Salmonids and other fish populations. Their more recent release of information in 2023 that 'Salmonids could be extinct' in the next decade, together with their present funding releases towards 'Rewilding' and 'Scientific' investigations, to the 'River Trusts' in Wales. Is this geared towards getting rid of Anglers totally? off our rivers? A serious thought and view it may be, but going by their past behaviour, it should not surprise anyone if it happens. I can visualise it now, come 2025, 'DUE TO THE LACK OF STOCKS IN OUR RIVERS WE ARE ADVISED THAT WE MUST STOP SALMON ANGLING NOW'. Well yes of course it is the 'Anglers' that are at fault and not the ever increasing 'Avian Predation'.
This week in late November 2023 there appears on the 'Salmon Fishing Club' facebook page that 'Glasgow University Scientists' are stating that the 'Effects of Simulated Catch-and-Release Angling of Atlantic Salmon' shortly before spawning on the viability and development of their offspring is detrimental and adversely influence the offspring development....?? and when we take the fish out of the water for photographing, whilst Cardiff University on a citizen science project called 'Patho Pixel' are calling for Anglers to send them pictures of fish specifically salmon, trout and grayling in any condition to enable them to gather valuable data to better understand how fish health varies across the UK. The photos could serve as an early warning system for river health and help provide protection for the future, advertised by 'Wildfish' and 'Angling Trust', the mind again boggles.
Back in the updates you will find a piece on the NRW meeting in 2022 regarding 'Avian Predation' and who was present. We know that Nature England and Nature Scotland were there as reportedly, 'observers' and the 'Angling Interests present were, 'Afonydd Cymru', 'Welsh Salmon and Trout Conservation Association', which later became 'Wildfish' another 'Trust' , 'Angling Trust' and 'Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust'. I do not find it unbelievable that there was no 'Real Anglers and Fisheries owners' representation present, but suspect it was orchestrated that way for specific N.R.W, purposes, kick the can down the road tactic.
'Afonydd Cymru' lead the 'River Trusts Organisations' in Wales, lets take a look at this.
Chairman, Chris Mills, reportedly Viscount Chris Mills takes the Chair at 'Afonydd Cymru' A graduate of the University of London in Biological Science with a Masters degree in Fish Biology, fair play, a clever academic, there is more but you can research it yourself if you so wish, he also reportedly sits on the board of the RSPB.
My approach with the 'Petition' for support to, 'Wildfish', 'Afonydd Cymru', 'Angling Trust', 'Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust', 'Countryside Alliance Wales', was unfruitful although there was some acknowledgement to my approach by some it was totally ignored by others. What are the common features faced by us here then, 'TRUSTS' and 'SCIENTISTS'.
I have completed all the facts for you and created a platform, if you do not stand up to be counted then i'm afraid that the future of 'Angling' as we know it could well be doomed if the present stance of the powers in being throughout the UK relative to 'Avian Predation' persists. I am the lucky Angler here to have experienced the times of plenty and my only wish is to have that restored, not for me, but for those who follow us. Ofcourse there are other issues, but this petition is about the 'Avian Predation', we want to look after the nursery area's throughout the UK, without total control on this with 'Avian Predation' on the General Culling Licence then I predict that the situation is doomed.
Please VOTE and SHARE.
As the 'Winter Grayling Season' is in full swing, this weeks photo is of a 'Grayling', sorry you will not be able to fish for this one.
Thank you for your continued support.
Gwilym Hughes