Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Encouraging news from Abberton

Pike anglers have met with water officials to discuss the future of fishing on Abberton Reservoir.

While we were originally told fishing would cease once the proposed enlargement scheme got under way, the news tonight is more encouraging.

After lobbying by the PAC, it looks like areas will be set aside for anglers - both while work is going on and afterwards.

Tonight Abberton stalwart Bill Palmer told the PAC Members Forum: "It's early days but it's looking good, with a bit of luck we could end up with better fishing there in the future."

Essex and Suffolk Water (ESW) wants to increase the size of the reservoir, in a bid to stop the taps running dry in drought-hit Essex.

But there are concerns about the affect increased abstraction from the Ely Ouse, which the water firm claims is needed to fill the lake, could have on the Fens.

The PAC is calling for a public enquiry into how the scheme could affect historically important pike fisheries and their environment.