Update 5th May 2024
As detailed in the last update dated 14th April 2024. I would not post any further updates unless there was some kind of development, well before I do here is a comment sent in by an angler regarding Ben Wilsons letter to Lord Carlile in the last update:
I’d like to say I’m gobsmacked, but of course I’m not. Ben Wilson is, on behalf of a dysfunctional organisation, effectively abdicating responsibility. How incredibly convenient that the one factor in the catastrophic decline in migratory fish numbers that they can’t influence - climate change - is wheeled out to save their bacon. Mustn’t upset the RSPB of course, nor the Senedd / (Assembly) members who disapprove of countryside pursuits like angling. Utterly shameful and shameless simultaneously
Here we go:
From: Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE KC
House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW
Dr Ben Wilson Rheolwr Gweithrediadau (Ceredigion) / Operations Manager (Ceredigion) Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru
16.04.2024
Dear Dr Wilson
Thank you for responding to my earlier correspondence, and especially for the attached documents.
I remain concerned about the imbalance between fish and predatory birds. The documents do not seem to me to accept that there is a need to address that imbalance.
The fact is that there has been a dramatic reduction in the relevant categories of fish, and that very little is being done to acknowledge the reduction or address it. It appears to regard fishers as the enemy and Goosanders and Cormorants as being in need of disproportionate protection. The significant cohort of people fishing in Wales (I am not a fisher myself), and the connected parts of the Wales economy, are very unhappy about this.
As I understand it, Goosander is an invasive species not originated from the UK. It has now established itself in the UK and breeds extensively, and is joined by a winter migration. Pre- 1981 there were very few Goosanders in the UK and their numbers were controlled by Fisheries personnel under a 'General Licence’.
Cormorant was a sea bird and started to come inland to feed. This has now developed into a sub species that lives, breeds and feeds inland, together with an increasing number coming inland and also a winter migration. Pre-1981 Cormorants in the UK were controlled by Fisheries personnel under a 'General Licence'.
Both are protected since the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
I suggest that, due to the demise of Salmonid to endangered category, the very high level of protection to Goosanders and Cormorants is outdated.
Rivers were protected during the ensuing period by enforcement teams, led by personnel with vast practical experience, who ran fish hatcheries throughout the country, replenishing and nurturing the salmonid populations whilst there was an ever increasing struggle with predation by the Goosanders and Cormorants.
In 2013 NRW was formed via amalgamation from Local Fisheries Groups through the Environment Agency. There then followed the disappearance of what were thought to be ring fenced provision for fisheries. The experienced and established expertise of the enforcement teams in Wales were reduced from 69 Warranted Officers down to approximately 15. All the hatcheries were closed down, except one which was kept open for 'scientific research'.
The closure of Salmonid Hatcheries in 2013 left a deep void as the only salmonids present to be predated upon were the wild spawned fish. Naturally here followed a substantial reduction in population numbers.
Following pressure brought about by the angling fraternity, an 'Avian Predation Culling licence scheme', was introduced. As it has turned out licences have had the effect of protecting the avian predators rather than the fishes.
For example, a Licence was issued to River Dovey Fisheries 1929 Limited. This allowed extremely limited culling of Cormorants and Goosanders between November and March each year. No more than 2 adult Cormorant and 3 Adult Goosander can be killed under this licence. Killing shall be limited to the minimum necessary to reinforce scaring. No more than 1 Cormorant and 1 Goosander shall be killed per calendar month up to the total number of birds specified by the licence. Birds must only be shot when actively feeding. Birds may be shot only with a 12 / 16 or 20 bore shotgun, no other firearm to be used. Lead shot may not be used. Birds must only be shot when present in groups of two or more Shooting must not be undertaken at night or within an hour of sunrise or sunset. Licence holders are expected to exercise the utmost care to avoid disturbance to wild birds and in particular to avoid any action which might endanger breeding success. Failure to do so may result in the licence being revoked A co-ordinated scaring programme must involve non lethal shooting to scare; eg blank cartridges, physical presence, shouting and hand clapping. A scaring log must be kept and submitted to NRW within four weeks after the licence has expired.
The above provided effective blanket protection for the predators, and almost none for the fish.
Scientific research demonstrates that 50% of stomach contents of Goosanders and Cormorants shot under licence consists of Salmonids, the other 50% are other fishes living in streams and rivers, Minnows, Trout and other Coarse fish, the staple diet of our very own Kingfishers and Herons which are showing signs of demise also. There is no Global Warming evidence or Habitat in the resulting stomach contents research.
The 'Ruddy Duck' arrived in the UK and became an invasive species when it started breeding with the 'White Tailed Duck'. It was placed on the 'General Culling Licence' to protect the 'White Tailed Duck' from being bred into extinction. I don’t understand the difference in protecting the 'White Tailed Duck' as against the predation aspect on salmonids and other freshwater fish by Goosanders and Cormorants.
There is a feeling among those who fish that the present statutory structure is simply opposed to any form of rod fishing, and that further bans will occur in the future.
I would ask you to comment on the above. In particular:
1.Is it NRW’s intention effectively to end rod fishing in Wales?
2.What steps are being taken to ensure that the Welsh ecology includes the retention of significant numbers of salmonids?
3.What has been the effect on rivers, streams and lakes in Wales of the increased predation by birds on fresh water fish in Wales?
4.What steps can be taken to ensure a proper level of consultation (including meetings with interested groups) to produce a fair balance between salmonids and predators?
Yours sincerely
Alex Carlile
Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE KC
And the reply.
Dear Lord Carlile
Thanks for following up with your detailed response.
We will of course provide a written response in due course. In the meantime, I would like to suggest we find time to discuss this further, either on the phone or Teams. I think it would be helpful to explore the issue and get a shared understanding.
Would you be free for a meeting in the next week or so? If so let me know when, and I can set up a Teams meeting (If that works for you).
Best Wishes.
Ben Wilson
Lord Carlile to myself:
Hello Gwilym
I had a not very productive meeting with Ben Wilson and Dave Charlesworth this morning online, for an hour.
Please see the (attached), which I asked for. I would welcome any comments. They accept the basic premise that the birds are at least partly responsible for the reduction in fish stocks. I think if some decent evidence could be produced on a localised basis, they might act on it on a water by water basis.
Best regards
Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE KC
( I discussed this with Lord Carlile, we shall not be repeating this on the failed licensing scheme)'GENERAL CULLING LICENCE REQUIRED')
(Attachments) 399 pages of scientific research., no mention of the questions posed by Lord Carlile in his very apt letter to NRW.
Copied from Ben Wilson's reply above.
'We will of course provide a written response in due course'. ??? where is it ???
This update title and and picture of a dead Cormorant on a still water, choked by the size of the trout, it had possibly swallowed one and there was no room for another.
PLEASE KEEP VOTING AND SHARING, WE ARE OVER HALF WAY TO THE FIGURE REQUIRED FOR THE MATTER TO BE TAKEN TO THE WELSH ASSEMBLY (6067) PRESENTLY.
We send our sincere heartfelt thanks to Lord Carlile CBE KC for his efforts to date and wish him well in his drive to move matters forward.