NAFAC News

News from the frontline…

The ACA has secured a settlement for one of its commercial fishery members.  After terse negotiations, insurers have paid out £3,500 to compensate Cuttle Mill Fishery in the Midlands for the damage they suffered following pollution with milk over the Christmas period back in 2006.  The milk, which spilt from a tanker in a nearby haulage yard, entered the fishery via a feeder stream.  The oxygen levels in the receiving water fell dangerously low and, despite the best efforts of the fishery owner to limit the damage using bunding and aerators, large specimen carp and a number of roach were lost.  The timing could not have been worse for the fishery which had to close at what is usually one of its busiest times of year with anglers hoping to escape for a peaceful days fishing over the festive season.

In Wales, the ACA continues to fight for damages on behalf of the Islwyn & District Anglers following the devastating chemical pollution of the River Sirhowy, in Gwent, by a private company situated on the banks.  The ACA has now issued a claim in court.  In May 2007, whilst decommissioning a chemical treatment plant, the company emptied treated effluent onto the floor of the treatment plant building which subsequently found its way into a surface water drain that discharges into the Sirhowy.  Despite being successfully prosecuted by Environment Agency Wales for breaches of the Water Resources Act 1991 and the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 the company is determined to defend the ACA civil claim in court.

In Leicestershire we are representing the Gopsall Fishing Club after illegal in-river dredging on the River Sence.  It is thought that the dredging destroyed spawning grounds and also altered the river width due to the excavation of the river bank which affects the river flow.  The Environment Agency decided not to prosecute for the offence, even though those responsible were forewarned that any damage caused as a result of their works could result in criminal prosecution. Continue Reading »

This one day conference will examine the keenly awaited Marine Bill.  The Marine Bill is a substantial piece of draft legislation that has been developed over the last few years.

In anticipation of our conference a briefing paper has been prepared which seeks to summarise the Government‚s response to pre legislative consultation.

To view this document please click here .

The conference offers a last opportunity to understand the details of the draft Bill, before it is presented to the Houses of Parliament.  During the course of the day key issues scheduled for discussion include:

The aims of the Bill and an update on progress

• The funding, role, and scope of the new Marine Management Organisation
• Marine planning
• Access to coastal land

For further information and a programme please visit https://www.eventsforce.net/marinebill

The Autumn 2008 issue of “Fishing Focus” the joint publication from Defra and the Marine Fisheries Agency is now available online and for downloading at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/marine/fisheries/fishfocus.htm

You will find previous issues and other useful and interesting information including updates on the current situation regarding the Marine Bill and the Recreational Sea Angling Strategy.

The National Federation of Anglers would like to announce the departure of current Chief Executive, Paul Baggaley who will be leaving the NFA on the 14th November 2008.

Paul joined the NFA on 31st January, 2005, and has since worked tirelessly to create a modern and professional Governing Body for Freshwater Anglers. There have been many successes during his three year reign but his principal success must be the revision and development of the governance of the NFA, which enabled the organisation to chart a new course.  This has meant that a revitalized NFA has been able to play a full and active role representing the interests of anglers and providing tangible services to anglers, partners and angling organisations nationwide. Continue Reading »

Anglian Water fined £150,000 for falsifying information.

The Anglers’ Conservation Association (ACA) congratulates the Environment Agency for investigating and successfully prosecuting Anglian Water for a series of pollution offences in Newmarket.  However, the case demonstrates clearly why ‘Operator Self Monitoring’ (OSM) – a proposed new scheme whereby water companies would monitor their own environmental performance – is fundamentally flawed.

The company was fined £150,000 for four pollution events from its sewage treatment works in Newmarket to the No 1 Public Drain, on one occasion bringing about the death of 1,200 fish.  This level of fine is unusually high and reflects the fact that a manager at the company either by himself, or through other employees of the company, removed, destroyed and falsified information in the site log book which recorded levels of ammonia in the discharge. Continue Reading »

Three-year study gets under way
Over recent years the Great Ouse has become synonymous with barbel – a fish featured on the Queen’s College, Cambridge, Coat of Arms. An ancient fish, it is important to rivers, but at present there isn’t much known about its breeding habits.

Working closely with the Upper Ouse Fisheries Consultative Association (UOFCA), the Environment Agency is keen to find out whether there are young barbel in the Great Ouse.

Ian Hirst, fisheries specialist, said: ‘The popularity of fishing for barbel has grown over the past decade but we are struggling to understand where the young barbel are coming from.

‘We hope this study will use local knowledge, feedback and advice from UOFCA members to help us build a clear picture of the barbel in our river and ensure there are plenty of fish for future anglers in the Great Ouse.’ Continue Reading »

Operational and management failures highlighted

Anglian Water Services Ltd (Anglian Water) has today (Tues) been fined a total of £150,000  for four times allowing illegal discharges from its sewage treatment works in Newmarket to the No 1 Public Drain ˆ on one occasion bringing about the death of 1,200 fish.

Ipswich Crown Court yesterday heard that the offences before them had occurred because of operational and management failures and failures to respond to alarms. The investigations undertaken by the Environment Agency continued over a period of more than 12 months and Anglian Water‚s attitude contributed to the length of time it took for the case to come to court. The company was also ordered to pay £28,973 Environment Agency costs. Continue Reading »

The Environment Agency has today (Tuesday 28th October) named Mathew Crocker as its new Head of Fisheries.
Mathew, a keen angler who has worked for the Environment Agency since it was formed in 1996, takes over from current Head of Fisheries Dafydd Evans. He will begin his new role on 1st November 2008, for one year.

Dafydd, who has been Head of Fisheries for over four years, has taken up a year’s assignment in the Anglian region of the Environment Agency.

Speaking on his priorities in his new role Mat commented: “Dafydd has made huge strides as head of fisheries, including persuading government to modernise freshwater fisheries legislation through the Marine Bill.

“I look forward to building on Dafydd’s work by making the most of the forthcoming legislation changes which will help us better tackle illegal fishing and practices which could damage the environment.

“I also look forward to taking the opportunities presented by the Water Framework Directive to create a better quality environment where fish will thrive.”

The latest issue of Norfolk Angler, the official journal of the Norfolk Anglers’ Conservation Association (NACA), has just been published. This is a 48 page high quality full colour publication.

Articles include Paul Belsten on Norfolk bass, Paul Martin on Colney carp, Chris Turnbull on restocking barbel, Mark Barrett on pike care, Bob Chambers on centrepin reels and Chris Oakley on Bawburgh pike.

The journal is distributed free to Association members and there are a further 2000 copies available for sale throughout East Anglia at various sites including shows, exhibitions, tackle shops and independent retailers. You can also purchase the publication via the Association’s website at www.norfolkanglers.com or by post from Lee Davison, NACA, PO Box 61, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 2AL. The cost is £2.40 plus 66p postage. A limited number of back issues are also available at the same price.

Any profits made from the sale of the publication will help fund ongoing restoration and conservation work in Norfolk’s water and surrounding habitat in conjunction with local influential groups and Authorities.

Anyone wishing to become a member of NACA can do via the website or by post to John O’Conner, NACA, PO Box 61, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 2AL. Individual membership is £12.50, O.A.P £3 and junior £1.

The Chairmen of all of angling’s representative bodies yesterday signed the merger agreement which, subject to various conditions being met, will see them become a single new organisation to represent all anglers from 5 January 2009: the Angling Trust. The Chairmen put their signatures to this historic document on Sunday 19 October at the Tackle & Guns trade fair at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.

Earlier in the day, the Angling Trust presented its draft plans to an invited audience of angling journalists and key figures in the angling trade at a breakfast briefing. This briefing focused on how the new body can work with the multi-million pound angling industry to improve and protect fishing; get more anglers on the bank, beach and boat; and to offer benefits to Angling Trust members through its planned Fish 4 Free loyalty programme. This will see anglers who sign up getting cashback on their freshwater rod licence and on purchases of fishing tackle and permits.

The Trust will continue to consult on its plans for the rest of 2008 and is very keen to ensure that it is representative of all anglers. Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive elect of the Angling Trust said: “We will be successful if we listen to our members and take action. This new organisation therefore has one principal aim: to serve its members. Now we need all anglers to stand up and be counted and join the Angling Trust in January.”

Jim Glasspool, Chairman of FACT and the Transition Board, said: “I am delighted that we have managed to create a new organisation which will continue the work of all the organisations involved, but which has the potential to deliver so much more than the sum of its parts.” Continue Reading »