GENERAL CULLING LICENCE and HATCHERIES.
The past spells it out clearly, this is what is required, as can be seen through the following.
In the diaries of Griff Thomas who was the bailiff on the Gwydyr Hotel Water on the River Conwy between 1938 and 1965, his daily records when examined proves two matters which the powers in being are effectively ignoring. One fact (Predation) and making feeble excuses relative to the other (Genetics).
1940 just a one line summary for this year, 312 Salmon 604 Seatrout 63 Cormorants shot.
1941. 3rd March, 'Hatchery fry to be put in'
In these early years, the glory years for Salmonids on the river Conwy, a Major Lockwood, Mr Ronald Brown and Mr Jock Menzines were continuing a programme of introducing fertilized eggs of early running Thurso fish, from which developed a strain of large early Salmon which entered the river prior to the start of the season on the 1st April.
It is reported to me that the fertilized eggs came in troughs covered over with wet moss, possibly arriving in Betws-y-Coed by steam train.
1943. 18th January, '1 Cormorant shot, (5 samlets and 1trout inside) and another entry, 1 Cormorant shot (8 samlets and 1 trout inside)
The diaries are in possession of Griff's grandson who lent them to Max Coventry who prepared the 'Bailiffing diaries of Griff Thomas' with summaries, photographs, tables and analysis, a very accurate, interesting and appropriate, factual account. I describe it as 'Men on the ground' as against what we are forced to accept within our respective organisations today. This continued and proved to be right as our rivers were teeming with Salmonids, until the control was infiltrated and become overwhelmed with what can only be called, 'College Bods', clearly well educated but lacking common sense and the understanding of the continuity required within fisheries. It is not there to be played with but to be protected and enhanced.
As previously described, monies ring fenced for 'Fisheries' disappeared in amalgamation moves within Wales, where too?. The Hatcheries were closed down, 69 Water Bailiffs (Enforcement Officers) became 15, in the amalgamation process from the E.A. to N.R.W. The lead then for the E.A. was one Chris Mills who now as Chair of 'Afonydd Cymru' ( a Biologist), controls the financing of the seven 'River Trusts' in Wales, created during and since the decision to close the Hatcheries and decimating the bailiffing force, the men on the ground.
A quick Google Search on Company's house revealed that the wages paid on an yearly basis to 'Afonydd Cymru' £60,000.00, North Wales River Trust £89,000.00, Dee Trust £117,355.00, Severn River Trust £569,000.00, Wye and Usk River Trust £799,976.00, South East Wales £768,441.00, West Wales Rivers Trust £9,900.00. Figures are not exact to the pound but I wonder who finances them?, Two Million, four hundred and thirteen thousand, seven hundred and sixty two pounds, anually. How many Enforcement Officers / Hatcheries would that amount support to save our fisheries?, and furthermore how many extra Salmonids has this current financing put into our rivers ?
'River Trusts', would you 'Trust' them to run the show?, their drive is towards re-wilding and their interest / actual action, that I know of in saving the Salmonids, is in discussing and voicing Scientific and University led views only within constant meetings, with no actual action on the (Avian Predation / Hatcheries, Enforcement Teams). This sadly will result in the total extinction of our Salmonid populations in our rivers in Wales, if allowed to continue. It is not the Anglers fault this demise. Will this, the views and action of these Trusts, spread throughout the UK ?, N.R.W. are now attacking the farming industry with their re-wilding view in Wales, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, can you see where this emanates from and where this is leading?, farmers are up in arms over it, quite rightly so.
This week's picture is one of Griff Thomas, all the hard work and care that provided, now ignored.
Lord Alex Carlile CBE KC has written to Ben Wilson, the Principal Advisor- Fisheries for the N.R.W. a reply is awaited. I wonder if this is the same Ben Wilson that reported to 'North Wales Rivers Trust' that Gwilym Hughes was running down, the said 'Trust' on a stand at the North Wales Game Fair, Vaenol Estate in late 2023. This Gwilym Hughes never attended the fair. Yes the 'Petition' points out faults and will be upsetting for some, quite rightly so, unfortunately the truth hurts.
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Gwilym Hughes