Reading West MP Martin Salter is standing down at the next election, reports his local paper the Reading Evening Post.
In 10 years as an MP Salter - who famously once bought a house because it had a decent barbel swim in its back garden - has been a leading member of the Commons All-party Angling Group, which he currently chairs.
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Monday, February 02, 2009
BREAKING NEWS: EA sets out fisheries reforms
Fines for illegal fish movements will increase to up to £50,000, close seasons will be set for eel, smelt and lamprey fisheries, while so called fish-thieves will see the maximum penalty for removing fish from Britain's rivers increased from £100 to £5,000.
The PAC was today passed a copy of the Environment Agency's take on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill currently before Parliament.
Entitled Reforming fisheries law for the 21st Century, the document spells out for the first time how the EA plans to "modernise fisheries regulation in England and Wales", and address recommendations made in the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries review.
"There will soon be major changes to the rules governing freshwater and migratory fisheries," the document says.
"These changes will help to conserve fish stocks, allowing people to continue to enjoy and make a living from fishing.
"Legislation to make these changes will go through Parliament over the next year or two.
"At the Environment Agency, we are working with Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure new regulations will meet current and future challenges.
"And to make the regulations as effective as possible, we will also work closely with other organisations, including angling governing bodies and conservation agencies."
At present, the EA is responsible for regulating salmon, trout, coarse and eel fisheries.
"This leaves fisheries for other migratory species unregulated, including rare and threatened species," the report adds.
"The Marine Bill will extend our regulatory responsibilities to river and sea lamprey, and smelt."
The bill will give the EA powers to make and enforce byelaws to meet European targets for protecting all three species. It is also seeking to regulate fishing for twaite and allis shad, which it says are also threatened.
New licence and authorisation schemes for smelt and lamprey will come into force in January 2010. Both species are a staple of the frozen deadbait trade.
New measure to protect the eel, whose population is believed to have declined by up to 70 per cent in recent decades, are included. The EA intends to regulate fishing, improve habitats and relocate elvers into "suitable upstream areas".
A faster mechanism for setting byelaws is included in the Marine Bill, along with powers to set close seasons for smelt, eel and lamprey.
The maximum penalty for byelaw breaches will be increased from £2,500 to £50,000.
"The marine Bill will reform how we regulate fish removal," the EA document says. "As well as giving us greater byelaw-making powers to control fish removal, the bill will change the Theft Act by removing the disticntion between day and night fishing, and increasing the maximum penalty for fish theft from £100 to £5,000.
A new scheme governing fish introductions and removals is also proposed. This is likely to impact on pike culls, by requiring nyone wishing to remove fish to obtain a long-term poermit lasting for between three and 10 years.
"Thanks to these measures, it will be much more difficult to move fish illegally without being detected, as only authorised suppliers will be allowed to move fish, and only to or from waters which have a long-term permit," the EA adds.
"The maximum penalty for illegal fish movements will also increase from £2,500 to £50,000, creating a much greater deterrent to breaking the law."
Anyone who wishes to comment on the proposals can e-mail paul.lidgett@environment-agency.gov.uk.
The PAC was today passed a copy of the Environment Agency's take on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill currently before Parliament.
Entitled Reforming fisheries law for the 21st Century, the document spells out for the first time how the EA plans to "modernise fisheries regulation in England and Wales", and address recommendations made in the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries review.
"There will soon be major changes to the rules governing freshwater and migratory fisheries," the document says.
"These changes will help to conserve fish stocks, allowing people to continue to enjoy and make a living from fishing.
"Legislation to make these changes will go through Parliament over the next year or two.
"At the Environment Agency, we are working with Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure new regulations will meet current and future challenges.
"And to make the regulations as effective as possible, we will also work closely with other organisations, including angling governing bodies and conservation agencies."
At present, the EA is responsible for regulating salmon, trout, coarse and eel fisheries.
"This leaves fisheries for other migratory species unregulated, including rare and threatened species," the report adds.
"The Marine Bill will extend our regulatory responsibilities to river and sea lamprey, and smelt."
The bill will give the EA powers to make and enforce byelaws to meet European targets for protecting all three species. It is also seeking to regulate fishing for twaite and allis shad, which it says are also threatened.
New licence and authorisation schemes for smelt and lamprey will come into force in January 2010. Both species are a staple of the frozen deadbait trade.
New measure to protect the eel, whose population is believed to have declined by up to 70 per cent in recent decades, are included. The EA intends to regulate fishing, improve habitats and relocate elvers into "suitable upstream areas".
A faster mechanism for setting byelaws is included in the Marine Bill, along with powers to set close seasons for smelt, eel and lamprey.
The maximum penalty for byelaw breaches will be increased from £2,500 to £50,000.
"The marine Bill will reform how we regulate fish removal," the EA document says. "As well as giving us greater byelaw-making powers to control fish removal, the bill will change the Theft Act by removing the disticntion between day and night fishing, and increasing the maximum penalty for fish theft from £100 to £5,000.
A new scheme governing fish introductions and removals is also proposed. This is likely to impact on pike culls, by requiring nyone wishing to remove fish to obtain a long-term poermit lasting for between three and 10 years.
"Thanks to these measures, it will be much more difficult to move fish illegally without being detected, as only authorised suppliers will be allowed to move fish, and only to or from waters which have a long-term permit," the EA adds.
"The maximum penalty for illegal fish movements will also increase from £2,500 to £50,000, creating a much greater deterrent to breaking the law."
Anyone who wishes to comment on the proposals can e-mail paul.lidgett@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
We've got science on our side, claim
Organisers of the controversial Erne International pike fishing match claim "a respected fisheries scientist" told them barrels without any aeration were the best way of retaining pike prior to the weigh-in at the event.
Today's Fermanagh Impartial Reporter newspaper states: "The barrel system was adopted after consultation with a respected fisheries scientist."
The Pike Anglers Club is using Freedom Of Information laws to find out a little more about this scientist and the advice supposedly given, as to date match organisers have not provided any more information.
Today's Fermanagh Impartial Reporter newspaper states: "The barrel system was adopted after consultation with a respected fisheries scientist."
The Pike Anglers Club is using Freedom Of Information laws to find out a little more about this scientist and the advice supposedly given, as to date match organisers have not provided any more information.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
We'd boost flood prevention, says Tory MP
A Conservative government would refocus the Environment Agency to spend more on flood defences and less on consultants, a Tory MP said.
During a live webchat hosted by the Eastern Daily Press, South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon was asked the following:
"A shortfall in funding for coastal defences has rendered the Upper Thurne and its broads vulnerable to salt incursion. If the system becomes saline, it's diversity will be lost forever.
"Thousands of wading birds including some of our rarest species have lost their eggs or chicks on Welney Washes. What steps will you take to begin addressing the affects of climate change on our rivers and their wildlife..?"
Mr Bacon responded:
"Spend more of the Environment Agency's budget on actual flood defences and protecting against coastal erosion. We took evidence from the chief executive of the Environment Agency the day before yesterday and it was not a happy experience.
"They have poor information, they don't necessarily spend the most money in the areas of highest risk, and they waste millions commissioning endless studies from consultants and "developing plans" rather than delivering improved flood defences.
"On top of this, in light of climate change, there is a case for increasing the resources devoted to flood defence but it is essential to spend the existing money wisely and the Environment Agency, which has already seen a substantial increase in cash in recent years, is not doing this."
The Thurne system is arguably one of Britain's most historically-important pike fisheries. It is under real threat from rising sea levels, after the EA's announcement that a £6m budget shotfall left it unable to continue to repair flood defences on the North-east Norfolk coastline.
Privately, EA fisheries staff fear a major fish kill is imminent when flood water standing on Welney Washes is released into the neighbouring Delph - another important pike fishery under threat from climate change and siltation in the tidal Ouse.
During a live webchat hosted by the Eastern Daily Press, South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon was asked the following:
"A shortfall in funding for coastal defences has rendered the Upper Thurne and its broads vulnerable to salt incursion. If the system becomes saline, it's diversity will be lost forever.
"Thousands of wading birds including some of our rarest species have lost their eggs or chicks on Welney Washes. What steps will you take to begin addressing the affects of climate change on our rivers and their wildlife..?"
Mr Bacon responded:
"Spend more of the Environment Agency's budget on actual flood defences and protecting against coastal erosion. We took evidence from the chief executive of the Environment Agency the day before yesterday and it was not a happy experience.
"They have poor information, they don't necessarily spend the most money in the areas of highest risk, and they waste millions commissioning endless studies from consultants and "developing plans" rather than delivering improved flood defences.
"On top of this, in light of climate change, there is a case for increasing the resources devoted to flood defence but it is essential to spend the existing money wisely and the Environment Agency, which has already seen a substantial increase in cash in recent years, is not doing this."
The Thurne system is arguably one of Britain's most historically-important pike fisheries. It is under real threat from rising sea levels, after the EA's announcement that a £6m budget shotfall left it unable to continue to repair flood defences on the North-east Norfolk coastline.
Privately, EA fisheries staff fear a major fish kill is imminent when flood water standing on Welney Washes is released into the neighbouring Delph - another important pike fishery under threat from climate change and siltation in the tidal Ouse.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
EU warns anglers face total ban on lead
Lead could be banned from altogether from angling, it emerged today.
The European Union has voted to beef up water quality rules and phase out all lead from fishing equipment by the year 2015.
Jan Kappel, lobbyist with the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association said: “The European Commission is fully aware that lead disposal from angling is very, very small compared to the total of lead waste.
"And the Commission is fully aware that the relatively small amount of lost lead sinkers don't present much of a 'hazardous' to the environment. But this is politics.”
He added members of the EU Committee on Fisheries had already declared they were in favour of a ban, meaning anglers will almost certainly be forced to find alternatives.
.
Some sizes of lead shot were banned decades ago to protect waterfowl. Shooters have also been forced to load up with non-lead alternatives when shooting in some coastal areas.
But large leads such as bombs and other leger weights remain part and parcel of fishing for many anglers, while lead is also used in weighting lures both internally and to make jig heads.
Click here for more on this story.
The European Union has voted to beef up water quality rules and phase out all lead from fishing equipment by the year 2015.
Jan Kappel, lobbyist with the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association said: “The European Commission is fully aware that lead disposal from angling is very, very small compared to the total of lead waste.
"And the Commission is fully aware that the relatively small amount of lost lead sinkers don't present much of a 'hazardous' to the environment. But this is politics.”
He added members of the EU Committee on Fisheries had already declared they were in favour of a ban, meaning anglers will almost certainly be forced to find alternatives.
.
Some sizes of lead shot were banned decades ago to protect waterfowl. Shooters have also been forced to load up with non-lead alternatives when shooting in some coastal areas.
But large leads such as bombs and other leger weights remain part and parcel of fishing for many anglers, while lead is also used in weighting lures both internally and to make jig heads.
Click here for more on this story.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Government rejects canoeists' calls
Canoeists' calls for the right to paddle along any river were rejected when the Government threw out a Ten Minute Rule Bill on access to inland waterways.
Anglersnet has the story, click here for more.
Anglersnet has the story, click here for more.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Livebaiting is banned in Scotland
Pike fishing in Scotland has taken a body blow, after last ditch attempts to stave off a ban on livebaiting failed.
A ban on the use of live vertebrates for bait was included in the final draft of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill which was debated by Scottish MPs on Thursday, March 1.
Amendments calling for the ban to be replaced with a restriction on the use of livebaits to fish caught from the same water on the same day were defeated during the final debate.
It came after a long and well-argued campaign by the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling and the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland, which was supported by the Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain.
During the debate, Tory MSP Jamie McGrigor told the Edinburgh Parliament: "I totally understand that the minister's primary concern is to prevent the contamination of waters with alien species that are used as live bait, but I am far from convinced that such practices are responsible for any more than a small percentage of the alien species that appear in our lochs and rivers.
"I would support the minister if she were to introduce a Danish-style ban on live bait by banning the use of live bait that had not been caught on the same day and in the same waterway that is being fished.
"However, I worry that, in outlawing completely the use of live bait, we may be using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
"The fact remains that the use of live bait is a thoroughly well-established practice among pike fishermen, who travel from far and wide to Scotland's lochs to enjoy some of the best pike fishing anywhere in the British isles or the world.
"In my view, the Parliament should do all that it can to further the growth of coarse angling generally and pike fishing specifically.
"Therefore, I worry that including the provision on the face of the bill will send out all the wrong signals to the coarse fishermen who currently come to Scotland and to those who are considering coming here in the future."
But Green MSP Ealeanor Scott said: "For me, two issues are involved. The first, which motivated the Executive, is biodiversity and the risk of fish used as bait becoming established in an area where they did not belong and posing a threat to the native species. The second issue is fish welfare. It is acknowledged that fish are sentient beings and I do not think that it is right that live vertebrates be used as bait.
"I not believe that using live fish as bait is acceptable nowadays. I accept that that puts me at odds with the Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain, with which I have corresponded.
"The first thing that one sees on its website is instructions for fishing for pike with dead bait, so it is not inevitable that one must fish for pike with live bait—although I accept that the club says that using live bait provides better sport at a certain time of year. In this day and age, we should not be using live fish as bait."
Deputy Environment Minister Sarah Boyack, who steered the bill through the Scottish Parliament, said: "I acknowledge that the strongly held views for and against the use of live vertebrates as bait tend to split along the lines that are associated with different branches of the sport.
"Those who wish to fish for predatory fish such as pike want no ban, whereas those who fish for other fish want a ban.
"It has been argued that introducing the ban simply supports the views of the latter group, but those on both sides of the argument share the same environment, and the fact remains that the use of live vertebrates by one group could compromise the environment and the fishing of another group.
"The use of live vertebrates as bait has resulted in the translocation of live fish from one body of water to another. We need only look at Loch Lomond to see what has happened.
"The loch now supports a number of fish species that are new to the loch. One of those species, the ruffe, is now the most numerous fish in the loch and it is thought to pose a major threat to the loch's indigenous powan, which is an internationally important species of freshwater fish found in Loch Lomond and Lock Eck and which is listed in the habitats directive.
"The use of lures and dead fish—often marine species such as sprat or mackerel—gives anglers an ample range of methods and there is no need to put biodiversity at risk.
"We do not want to suggest that pike anglers should not come to Scotland, they will still be very welcome."
In the end, just 11 Tory MPs backed the amendment. Eighty, from all other parties, voted against.
A ban on the use of live vertebrates for bait was included in the final draft of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill which was debated by Scottish MPs on Thursday, March 1.
Amendments calling for the ban to be replaced with a restriction on the use of livebaits to fish caught from the same water on the same day were defeated during the final debate.
It came after a long and well-argued campaign by the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling and the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland, which was supported by the Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain.
During the debate, Tory MSP Jamie McGrigor told the Edinburgh Parliament: "I totally understand that the minister's primary concern is to prevent the contamination of waters with alien species that are used as live bait, but I am far from convinced that such practices are responsible for any more than a small percentage of the alien species that appear in our lochs and rivers.
"I would support the minister if she were to introduce a Danish-style ban on live bait by banning the use of live bait that had not been caught on the same day and in the same waterway that is being fished.
"However, I worry that, in outlawing completely the use of live bait, we may be using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
"The fact remains that the use of live bait is a thoroughly well-established practice among pike fishermen, who travel from far and wide to Scotland's lochs to enjoy some of the best pike fishing anywhere in the British isles or the world.
"In my view, the Parliament should do all that it can to further the growth of coarse angling generally and pike fishing specifically.
"Therefore, I worry that including the provision on the face of the bill will send out all the wrong signals to the coarse fishermen who currently come to Scotland and to those who are considering coming here in the future."
But Green MSP Ealeanor Scott said: "For me, two issues are involved. The first, which motivated the Executive, is biodiversity and the risk of fish used as bait becoming established in an area where they did not belong and posing a threat to the native species. The second issue is fish welfare. It is acknowledged that fish are sentient beings and I do not think that it is right that live vertebrates be used as bait.
"I not believe that using live fish as bait is acceptable nowadays. I accept that that puts me at odds with the Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain, with which I have corresponded.
"The first thing that one sees on its website is instructions for fishing for pike with dead bait, so it is not inevitable that one must fish for pike with live bait—although I accept that the club says that using live bait provides better sport at a certain time of year. In this day and age, we should not be using live fish as bait."
Deputy Environment Minister Sarah Boyack, who steered the bill through the Scottish Parliament, said: "I acknowledge that the strongly held views for and against the use of live vertebrates as bait tend to split along the lines that are associated with different branches of the sport.
"Those who wish to fish for predatory fish such as pike want no ban, whereas those who fish for other fish want a ban.
"It has been argued that introducing the ban simply supports the views of the latter group, but those on both sides of the argument share the same environment, and the fact remains that the use of live vertebrates by one group could compromise the environment and the fishing of another group.
"The use of live vertebrates as bait has resulted in the translocation of live fish from one body of water to another. We need only look at Loch Lomond to see what has happened.
"The loch now supports a number of fish species that are new to the loch. One of those species, the ruffe, is now the most numerous fish in the loch and it is thought to pose a major threat to the loch's indigenous powan, which is an internationally important species of freshwater fish found in Loch Lomond and Lock Eck and which is listed in the habitats directive.
"The use of lures and dead fish—often marine species such as sprat or mackerel—gives anglers an ample range of methods and there is no need to put biodiversity at risk.
"We do not want to suggest that pike anglers should not come to Scotland, they will still be very welcome."
In the end, just 11 Tory MPs backed the amendment. Eighty, from all other parties, voted against.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Scottish livebait ban - decision day nears
New Scottish fisheries legislation which includes a blanket ban on livebaiting will be debated for the final time on Thursday, March 1.
The Scottish federation for Coarse Angling has made a last-ditch attempt to persuade Environment Minister Sarah Boyack that evidence considered in the closing stages of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill's passage through parliament was incomplete and flawed. Story here.
The only hope now lies in whether MPs will back a last minute ammendment calling for the ban to be replaced by similar legislation to that which currently exists in England and Wales.
The final date for ammendments to be submitted is Friday, February 23 - after which the face of Scottish pike fishing could well be changed forever.
STOP PRESS.... There's still time to e-mail Scottish MPs if you haven't already... For their e-mail addresses and more information click here.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Livebaiting is safe in England and Wales
Livebaiting is safe in England and Wales, the Pike Anglers Club can reveal tonight.
A senior Environment Agency policy chief has gone on record to state the agency will not be seeking either a blanket ban - like that proposed in Scotland - or further regional by-laws, such as the Cumbrian coarse bait ban.
PAC president Phil Wakeford said: "We are extremely pleased, however it will never go away completely. The eyes of the public and the authorities are now upon anglers and pike anglers in particular.
"We urge all predator anglers to stay within the law and follow our code of conduct."
Senior officials in the Environment Agency were lobbied on behalf of the PAC and other predator groups by the Specialist Anglers Alliance.
The SAA put our concerns to Adrian Taylor, the EA's fisheries policy manager.
SAA vice-president Chris Burt said: "We have discussed this in depth with Adrian Taylor and are pleased to advise that they have given us an unequivocal assurance that they have no restrictions being planned or considered to restrict the use of live-bait in England and Wales.
"Furthermore, to answer the concerns of our predator group members we would like to elaborate on the individual points that have been raised with the EA."
The PAC's biggest fear was that the proposed Secondary Legislation that being used to make sections of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review law could be used to ban livebaiting by the back door.
But at the meeting with the SAA, Mr Taylor said: "The EA already has the powers to bring in such bans if they were justified, but there are no plans or thoughts to ban live-baiting.
"As far as the EA head office is aware there are also no plans to look at any other local bans similar to the North-west situation. In theory new secondary legislation could be used but the Animal Welfare Bill would have been the logical route for this."
Many feared the blanket ban which looks almost certain to be imposed by the Scottish Parliament makes a similar ban inevitable in the remainder of the UK.
But Mr Taylor said: "Regarding the potential Scottish ban, geography and game fish heritage create an issue for the whole of Scotland, under the fish conservation ticket. The proposal has been driven by the translocation of unwanted species.
"The proposed ban is not based on taking a moral stance on live-baiting. It does not therefore set a precedent for the UK and the EA has no plans or intention to ban or restrict livebaiting."
Chris Burt said: "To sum up, the EA have no plans to either extend the existing
local ban, or to introduce a national ban on live-baiting.
"The SAA would urge all predator anglers to act in a responsible manner in future and abide by the PAC/SAA Code of Practice with regard to the movement of fish for bait."
A senior Environment Agency policy chief has gone on record to state the agency will not be seeking either a blanket ban - like that proposed in Scotland - or further regional by-laws, such as the Cumbrian coarse bait ban.
PAC president Phil Wakeford said: "We are extremely pleased, however it will never go away completely. The eyes of the public and the authorities are now upon anglers and pike anglers in particular.
"We urge all predator anglers to stay within the law and follow our code of conduct."
Senior officials in the Environment Agency were lobbied on behalf of the PAC and other predator groups by the Specialist Anglers Alliance.
The SAA put our concerns to Adrian Taylor, the EA's fisheries policy manager.
SAA vice-president Chris Burt said: "We have discussed this in depth with Adrian Taylor and are pleased to advise that they have given us an unequivocal assurance that they have no restrictions being planned or considered to restrict the use of live-bait in England and Wales.
"Furthermore, to answer the concerns of our predator group members we would like to elaborate on the individual points that have been raised with the EA."
The PAC's biggest fear was that the proposed Secondary Legislation that being used to make sections of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review law could be used to ban livebaiting by the back door.
But at the meeting with the SAA, Mr Taylor said: "The EA already has the powers to bring in such bans if they were justified, but there are no plans or thoughts to ban live-baiting.
"As far as the EA head office is aware there are also no plans to look at any other local bans similar to the North-west situation. In theory new secondary legislation could be used but the Animal Welfare Bill would have been the logical route for this."
Many feared the blanket ban which looks almost certain to be imposed by the Scottish Parliament makes a similar ban inevitable in the remainder of the UK.
But Mr Taylor said: "Regarding the potential Scottish ban, geography and game fish heritage create an issue for the whole of Scotland, under the fish conservation ticket. The proposal has been driven by the translocation of unwanted species.
"The proposed ban is not based on taking a moral stance on live-baiting. It does not therefore set a precedent for the UK and the EA has no plans or intention to ban or restrict livebaiting."
Chris Burt said: "To sum up, the EA have no plans to either extend the existing
local ban, or to introduce a national ban on live-baiting.
"The SAA would urge all predator anglers to act in a responsible manner in future and abide by the PAC/SAA Code of Practice with regard to the movement of fish for bait."
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Nationalists could amend livebait ban
Scottish Nationalists could favour exemptions in a livebait ban, one of their MPs hinted tonight.
Pike anglers on both sies of the border have been lobbying hard since proposals for a blanket ban on live baiting were included in new fisheries legislation.
While the Scottish parliament has provisionally backed the ban, MPs now have the chance to debate the bill line by line, meaning amendments could be introduced.
Responding to an e-mail sent to MSPs, Scottish Nationalist Maureen Watt said: "The SNP supports measures that will prevent alien species invading Scotland's rivers given the associated dangers to fish health and biodiversity.
"We therefore support bans on the use of live bait. However, we believe there may be a case for exemptions, for instance for the use of certain live bait that poses none of the above mentioned threats.
"Once we have had sight of the Minister's proposed amendment that will introduce the ban, if need be, SNP members on the committee will introduce amendments allowing exemptions to be introduced through secondary legislation.
"The SNP is keen to prevent any disproportionate impact on coarse angling."
Scottish Conservatives have already said they will back amendments to the bill to prevent a blanket ban.
STOP PRESS... There's still time to e-mail... Click here to see how...
Pike anglers on both sies of the border have been lobbying hard since proposals for a blanket ban on live baiting were included in new fisheries legislation.
While the Scottish parliament has provisionally backed the ban, MPs now have the chance to debate the bill line by line, meaning amendments could be introduced.
Responding to an e-mail sent to MSPs, Scottish Nationalist Maureen Watt said: "The SNP supports measures that will prevent alien species invading Scotland's rivers given the associated dangers to fish health and biodiversity.
"We therefore support bans on the use of live bait. However, we believe there may be a case for exemptions, for instance for the use of certain live bait that poses none of the above mentioned threats.
"Once we have had sight of the Minister's proposed amendment that will introduce the ban, if need be, SNP members on the committee will introduce amendments allowing exemptions to be introduced through secondary legislation.
"The SNP is keen to prevent any disproportionate impact on coarse angling."
Scottish Conservatives have already said they will back amendments to the bill to prevent a blanket ban.
STOP PRESS... There's still time to e-mail... Click here to see how...
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Scottish livebait ban 'not needed'
A livebaiting ban in Scotland is uneccessary and won't achieve what it sets
out to do.
out to do.
That was the message from the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling today,
as it stepped up its campaign to overturn amended fisheries legislation
which would ban the method.
"Banning the use of live fish as bait is entirely unnecessary, and will
contribute absolutely nothing to meeting the goals the Executive says they
want to achieve from it," said SFCA policy officer Ron Woods.
"They claim a ban is needed to prevent non-native fish speces spreading
through Scotland. The use of live fish as bait and the movement of fish
between waters are entirely separate issues, but even there was a connection
in some cases it could only account for a tiny fraction of the non-native
introductions in Scotland.
"Most of these come from deliberate stocking by clubs or fishery
proprietors, escapes from aquaculture facilities, or discards from garden
ponds; yet the Bill does not seek to ban any of those activities. Instead -
quite rightly - it aims to prevent inappropriate introductions and transfers
by introducing legislation regulating fish movements.
"This is all that is needed, but if the Executive feels they have to go
further they could bring in provisions similar to those in Denmark which
restrict the use of livebaits to fish caught on the same day from the same
water where they are being used. SFCA would be happy to work with the
Executive and others to formulate Regulations along those lines, and to
promote compliance."
Scottish MPs will discuss the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill later this
month.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
£500m tackle trade backs livebaiting
A ringing endorsement for livebaiting has come from a powerful lobby group representing some of the biggest names in fishing.
The Angling Trades Association - whose members include tackle giants Daiwa, Leeda, Masterline, Middy, Mustad, Shakespeare, Sundridge, the angling media and major retailers - is supporting the Pike Anglers Club and its allies in their campaign to retain the method.
Scottish MPs meet to discuss new fisheries legislation which includes a livebait ban later this month.
Ministers believe banning the method will prevent illegal fish transfers between waters, though an increasing number of Scottish MPs are indicating their opposition.
Pike anglers on both sides of the border maintain all that is needed is a similar system to that already in place in England and Wales, coupled with effective enforcement.
ATA chairman Sean O'Driscoll said: "'The Angling Trades Association appreciates the need to protect rare, isolated populations of whitefish from threats caused by the release of non-native fish species.
"However, it does not agree that moves to achieve this through livebait bans are justified or that they will prove effective.
"Bans impose unwarranted restrictions on the freedom of predator anglers to use livebait as a traditional, productive and legal method of capturing fish in fresh water and, indeed, in the sea.
"Unauthorised fishery-to-fishery movements of fish are already illegal, be it for angling or any other purpose, and they can only be prevented by effective enforcement of the existing laws.
"The association endorses the codes of conduct issued by the Pike Anglers Club and others, specifically by encouraging all anglers to act responsibly and use livebait caught on the day from the water being fished."
A recent survey revealed the tackle trade contributes more than £500m to the UK economy and supports 18,000 jobs. Insiders see a livebaiting ban as the thin end of a wedge which threatens a sport enjoyed by 4m people of all ages, from all walks of life, across the UK.
PAC chairman Colin Goodge said: "We are grateful that main trade association in the tackle industry, which supports thousands of jobs and contributes millions to the economy is willing to back us.
"This shows the importance of this issue for the whole of angling, which we have been stressing from the outset. It's a powerful endorsement for what we and a lot of other people have been saying all along."
Scottish MPs meet to discuss new fisheries legislation later this month. Members of the PAC, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling have been lobbying hard against a last-minute amendment to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, proposing a blanket livebait ban.
The Angling Trades Association - whose members include tackle giants Daiwa, Leeda, Masterline, Middy, Mustad, Shakespeare, Sundridge, the angling media and major retailers - is supporting the Pike Anglers Club and its allies in their campaign to retain the method.
Scottish MPs meet to discuss new fisheries legislation which includes a livebait ban later this month.
Ministers believe banning the method will prevent illegal fish transfers between waters, though an increasing number of Scottish MPs are indicating their opposition.
Pike anglers on both sides of the border maintain all that is needed is a similar system to that already in place in England and Wales, coupled with effective enforcement.
ATA chairman Sean O'Driscoll said: "'The Angling Trades Association appreciates the need to protect rare, isolated populations of whitefish from threats caused by the release of non-native fish species.
"However, it does not agree that moves to achieve this through livebait bans are justified or that they will prove effective.
"Bans impose unwarranted restrictions on the freedom of predator anglers to use livebait as a traditional, productive and legal method of capturing fish in fresh water and, indeed, in the sea.
"Unauthorised fishery-to-fishery movements of fish are already illegal, be it for angling or any other purpose, and they can only be prevented by effective enforcement of the existing laws.
"The association endorses the codes of conduct issued by the Pike Anglers Club and others, specifically by encouraging all anglers to act responsibly and use livebait caught on the day from the water being fished."
A recent survey revealed the tackle trade contributes more than £500m to the UK economy and supports 18,000 jobs. Insiders see a livebaiting ban as the thin end of a wedge which threatens a sport enjoyed by 4m people of all ages, from all walks of life, across the UK.
PAC chairman Colin Goodge said: "We are grateful that main trade association in the tackle industry, which supports thousands of jobs and contributes millions to the economy is willing to back us.
"This shows the importance of this issue for the whole of angling, which we have been stressing from the outset. It's a powerful endorsement for what we and a lot of other people have been saying all along."
Scottish MPs meet to discuss new fisheries legislation later this month. Members of the PAC, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling have been lobbying hard against a last-minute amendment to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, proposing a blanket livebait ban.
Ban was always on the cards, says MSP
Green MSP Chris Balance has given an insight into his party's perspective on fishing and the Scottish Parliament's view on livebaiting, in this e-mail to a PAC member:
As you know the proposal to which you refer is contained in the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill which is currently progressing through the Scottish Parliament.
The Bill was introduced by ministers and includes measures to improve regulation of aquaculture, measures to deal with an outbreak of Gyrodactylus Salaris should this parasite ever reach Scottish waters, and various provisions related to salmon and freshwater fisheries.
The Bill has broad cross party support. It should be noted that one policy intention of the section on freshwater fisheries is to increase access to angling opportunities.
The Bill as originally introduced does not contain the provision to ban the use of live vertebrates as bait, but the Minister made it clear that the intention was always to introduce such a ban, through regulations which would follow from the passage of the Bill.
In a letter to the Committee the Ministers noted that they had an open mind as to whether this issue should be explicitly in the Bill or should follow in regulations, and that if the committee felt that this should be on the face of the Bill the Minister would bring forward an amendment to that effect at Stage 2 (which we expect to start on 24th January).
The committee in its Stage 1 report made a recommendation that this should be explicitly included in the Bill, so we expect the Minister to introduce such an amendment.
In considering this issue the committee heard evidence on the two aspects of this issue namely the possible introduction of alien species used as bait into a body of water, and the fish welfare issue of using live fish as bait. Both were felt to be valid concerns.
While I accept that the use of only fish caught on the same day from the same body of water would avoid the first problem, the welfare issue remains.
I realise that this would stop a practice that has been the norm among pike fishermen.
I do however note that on the Pike Anglers' Club of Great Britain website there is advice about pike angling with dead bait so I hope that the effect of a ban would not be as great as you suggest.
Please be assured that Green MSPs recognise the value of angling and that there is no "hidden agenda" to stop it, quite the reverse as I indicated in my first paragraph.
Chris Balance, MSP
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Ireland - the killing goes on
News is breaking tonight that pike killing matches have been allowed to continue in Ireland, despite bylaws giving the pike legal protection which became law earlier this year.
A well-sourced story in Angling Times says a fisheries board authorised the slaughter. The PAC is tonight looking into these claims.
A well-sourced story in Angling Times says a fisheries board authorised the slaughter. The PAC is tonight looking into these claims.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Question mark for pikers over minister's pledge
Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw is pledging to improve fisheries by bringing in parts of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries review using so-called Secondary Legislation.
But while there are suddenly some eye-catching headlines about issues like cracking down on fish theft, there's a big question mark over other areas of the review which weren't exactly sympathetic as far as pike fishing's concerned, such as the powers to impose livebait bans in so-called sensitive areas.
Secondary legislation gives the minister powers to impose new controls on an activity where the benefits can be shown to outweigh the added burden to those taking part. That means laws can be amended and tweaked with little in the way of consultation.
It's a worrying time for pike anglers everywhere, we'll bring you more when we have it.
Story here.
But while there are suddenly some eye-catching headlines about issues like cracking down on fish theft, there's a big question mark over other areas of the review which weren't exactly sympathetic as far as pike fishing's concerned, such as the powers to impose livebait bans in so-called sensitive areas.
Secondary legislation gives the minister powers to impose new controls on an activity where the benefits can be shown to outweigh the added burden to those taking part. That means laws can be amended and tweaked with little in the way of consultation.
It's a worrying time for pike anglers everywhere, we'll bring you more when we have it.
Story here.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
SAA calls for trade to support fighting fund
The SAA and other specialist groups are calling on the angling trade to support a new fund which will be used to campaign for the sport.
Click here to read more on the SAA blog.
Click here to read more on the SAA blog.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Stop poaching or we'll cull pike, warning
Management at Gartmorn Dam have sent out a chilling warning to pike anglers in an interview set to be published by Angling Times on Tuesday.
Chris Smith, fishery manager at the 167-acre trout water, said anglers from across the country have been targetting the water despite the fact that it was closed for fishing between October 5 and March 31.
The water, which has produced pike to over 40lb, is only open to pike anglers through membership of the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland, which has privileged access on the first and last weekends of its six month season.
“People are regularly trespassing on private property with their vehicles and vandalising the ropes set on anchors around the shore that we use to stop people poaching trout,” Mr Smith tells AT.
“The problem has got very serious. We are constantly having to move these people on and the police have had to become involved on a number of occasions.
“Our regular customers are sick and tired of the problem and are calling for us to cull these pike as that would undoubtedly provide the most effective solution to the problem.
“We don’t want to kill the pike stocks but if these people keep targeting the water then I fear we’ll be left with no other choice.”
AT is appealing for pike anglers to stay away from the potentially record-breaking water. The Peterborough-based weekly says it will not publicise any fish caught outside of the PAAS-arranged access dates.
The row over Gartmorn, which has been simmering all season, came to a head after a large catch of pike believed to have come from the water was featured in Anglers Mail.
Details of the water are widely available on the internet, where a heated debate over the ethics of poaching it has been going on.
The PAC has appealed to management not to cull the pike. It told AT it was carrying out its own enquiries into what had happened on the water and could not comment further until these were concluded.
The crisis comes just days after forthcoming fisheries legislation was changed to include a blanket ban on livebaiting across Scotland.
Chris Smith, fishery manager at the 167-acre trout water, said anglers from across the country have been targetting the water despite the fact that it was closed for fishing between October 5 and March 31.
The water, which has produced pike to over 40lb, is only open to pike anglers through membership of the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland, which has privileged access on the first and last weekends of its six month season.
“People are regularly trespassing on private property with their vehicles and vandalising the ropes set on anchors around the shore that we use to stop people poaching trout,” Mr Smith tells AT.
“The problem has got very serious. We are constantly having to move these people on and the police have had to become involved on a number of occasions.
“Our regular customers are sick and tired of the problem and are calling for us to cull these pike as that would undoubtedly provide the most effective solution to the problem.
“We don’t want to kill the pike stocks but if these people keep targeting the water then I fear we’ll be left with no other choice.”
AT is appealing for pike anglers to stay away from the potentially record-breaking water. The Peterborough-based weekly says it will not publicise any fish caught outside of the PAAS-arranged access dates.
The row over Gartmorn, which has been simmering all season, came to a head after a large catch of pike believed to have come from the water was featured in Anglers Mail.
Details of the water are widely available on the internet, where a heated debate over the ethics of poaching it has been going on.
The PAC has appealed to management not to cull the pike. It told AT it was carrying out its own enquiries into what had happened on the water and could not comment further until these were concluded.
The crisis comes just days after forthcoming fisheries legislation was changed to include a blanket ban on livebaiting across Scotland.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Fish thieves will face tougher fines, pledge
Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw has pledged the government will tackle the problem of fish being taken wholesale for the pot by migrant workers.
Responding to a Parliamentary Question from Reading West MP and keen angler Martin Salter, he also said the findings of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review , which has been in the political long grass for some time, would be enacted via "secondary legislation".
While Mr Salter heralds this and the annual fisheries debate, which took place on Thursday, as a step forward, the status of proposals to give the EA powers to ban livebaiting in sensitive areas remain unclear.
Click here for a report of the exchange between Mr Bradshaw and Mr Salter.
While most of Thursday's fisheries debate concerned sea fisheries and the sustainability of fish stocks, Mr Salter made a lengthy speech about recreational freshwater fishing.
If you click here and scroll down the debate to 4.45pm you can read it without having to wade through all the other largely irrelevant stuff.
Responding to a Parliamentary Question from Reading West MP and keen angler Martin Salter, he also said the findings of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review , which has been in the political long grass for some time, would be enacted via "secondary legislation".
While Mr Salter heralds this and the annual fisheries debate, which took place on Thursday, as a step forward, the status of proposals to give the EA powers to ban livebaiting in sensitive areas remain unclear.
Click here for a report of the exchange between Mr Bradshaw and Mr Salter.
While most of Thursday's fisheries debate concerned sea fisheries and the sustainability of fish stocks, Mr Salter made a lengthy speech about recreational freshwater fishing.
If you click here and scroll down the debate to 4.45pm you can read it without having to wade through all the other largely irrelevant stuff.
Scottish pike fishing in crisis
Pike fishing in Scotland is in crisis this weekend, with a blanket ban on livebaiting now looking certain and the management of a potential record-breaking water threatening a pike cull to deter poachers.
An eleventh-hour amendment to the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill, soon to be debated by MPs, prohibits the use of all live vertebrates.
Throughout its consultation stage, the bill proposed the less extreme measure of creating the power to ban livebaiting in areas where translocation could be argued to pose a risk to rare species or sensitive ecosystems.
But the tougher power has been strongly endorsed by Scotland's deputy environment minister Rhona Brankin.
Responding to the latest draft of the bill on behalf of the ruling Scottish Executive, she said: "I thank the Committee for their recommendation that the Executive brings forward an amendment at Stage 2 to prohibit the use of live vertebrates as bait. I can confirm that we shall do so."
How realistic - or for that matter enforceable - such a ban might be will remain to be seen in a country where many of the waters pike anglers fish are vast and remote.
During the consultation period before the wording of the bill was changed, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland, Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling and Pike Anglers Club for Great Britain all argued that a similar approach to that currently in force in England would suffice.
In its submission, the PAAS said: "We totally oppose such a ban. It would be both superfluous and disproportionate to the risks it purports to address.
"It is claimed by some that discarded or escaped live baits have been responsible for the introduction of certain species to a number of waters in Scotland.
"There is no hard evidence for this, but even if it is true it could only account for a tiny fraction of the spread of locally non-native species and the dilution of genetic identity among established species in Scotland."
The Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling said: "There is no necessary connection or causal link between the use of live fish as bait and the movement of fish between waters. These are two entirely separate issues.
"The appropriate way to prevent inappropriate introductions and transfers is by legislation directly regulating fish movements.
"No additional Regulation is required. If the Executive believes it is essential to strengthen this by regulating the use of live fish as bait, the appropriate step would be to bring in provisions analogous to those in Denmark which directly restrict the use of livebaits to fish caught on the same day from the same water where they are being used.
"Whilst probably still superfluous, this is workable and would reinforce the message the Executive seeks to convey without alienating the angling community it aims to regulate."
The Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain came out strongly in support of the PAAS and SFCA.
In it's submission, the PAC said: "We believe any bans should be the province of individual fishery owners and controlling clubs, in consultation with interested and informed bodies such as the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and ourselves."
Addressing the wider livebaiting issue, it added: "We reject the claim that anglers translocating livebaits have been responsible for the wholesale introduction of species such as roach to waters where they were not previously indiginous.
"We believe that the appropriate way to prevent inappropriate introductions and transfers is by legislation directly regulating fish movements, such as exists in England under Section 30 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act."
As the PAC and PAAS decide whether it is worth mounting some kind of last ditch lobbying effort, it emerged that the management at Gartmorn Dam are considering culling their potentially record-breaking stock of pike.
Broadcaster Keith Arthur broke the story on his show on Talksport this morning.
It is understood management at the 168-acre Clackmannanshire trout water have told Angling Times they will bring out the gill nets if pike anglers don't stop poaching the water, which is closed to all anglers between October and March 31.
The lake has produced fish to over 40lbs in recent seasons, and a string of 30lbs-plus specimens.
Ironically, pike anglers are allowed to fish the water via privileged access days organised by the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland.
But there have been confrontations on the banks in recent months involving pike anglers poaching the water and officials claim fences have been damaged and ropes set out in the water to prevent trout being stolen have been cut.
An eleventh-hour amendment to the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill, soon to be debated by MPs, prohibits the use of all live vertebrates.
Throughout its consultation stage, the bill proposed the less extreme measure of creating the power to ban livebaiting in areas where translocation could be argued to pose a risk to rare species or sensitive ecosystems.
But the tougher power has been strongly endorsed by Scotland's deputy environment minister Rhona Brankin.
Responding to the latest draft of the bill on behalf of the ruling Scottish Executive, she said: "I thank the Committee for their recommendation that the Executive brings forward an amendment at Stage 2 to prohibit the use of live vertebrates as bait. I can confirm that we shall do so."
How realistic - or for that matter enforceable - such a ban might be will remain to be seen in a country where many of the waters pike anglers fish are vast and remote.
During the consultation period before the wording of the bill was changed, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland, Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling and Pike Anglers Club for Great Britain all argued that a similar approach to that currently in force in England would suffice.
In its submission, the PAAS said: "We totally oppose such a ban. It would be both superfluous and disproportionate to the risks it purports to address.
"It is claimed by some that discarded or escaped live baits have been responsible for the introduction of certain species to a number of waters in Scotland.
"There is no hard evidence for this, but even if it is true it could only account for a tiny fraction of the spread of locally non-native species and the dilution of genetic identity among established species in Scotland."
The Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling said: "There is no necessary connection or causal link between the use of live fish as bait and the movement of fish between waters. These are two entirely separate issues.
"The appropriate way to prevent inappropriate introductions and transfers is by legislation directly regulating fish movements.
"No additional Regulation is required. If the Executive believes it is essential to strengthen this by regulating the use of live fish as bait, the appropriate step would be to bring in provisions analogous to those in Denmark which directly restrict the use of livebaits to fish caught on the same day from the same water where they are being used.
"Whilst probably still superfluous, this is workable and would reinforce the message the Executive seeks to convey without alienating the angling community it aims to regulate."
The Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain came out strongly in support of the PAAS and SFCA.
In it's submission, the PAC said: "We believe any bans should be the province of individual fishery owners and controlling clubs, in consultation with interested and informed bodies such as the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling, the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and ourselves."
Addressing the wider livebaiting issue, it added: "We reject the claim that anglers translocating livebaits have been responsible for the wholesale introduction of species such as roach to waters where they were not previously indiginous.
"We believe that the appropriate way to prevent inappropriate introductions and transfers is by legislation directly regulating fish movements, such as exists in England under Section 30 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act."
As the PAC and PAAS decide whether it is worth mounting some kind of last ditch lobbying effort, it emerged that the management at Gartmorn Dam are considering culling their potentially record-breaking stock of pike.
Broadcaster Keith Arthur broke the story on his show on Talksport this morning.
It is understood management at the 168-acre Clackmannanshire trout water have told Angling Times they will bring out the gill nets if pike anglers don't stop poaching the water, which is closed to all anglers between October and March 31.
The lake has produced fish to over 40lbs in recent seasons, and a string of 30lbs-plus specimens.
Ironically, pike anglers are allowed to fish the water via privileged access days organised by the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland.
But there have been confrontations on the banks in recent months involving pike anglers poaching the water and officials claim fences have been damaged and ropes set out in the water to prevent trout being stolen have been cut.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Scottish livebait ban clears another hurdle
A ban on livebaiting across Scotland looked certain to form part of the forthcoming Scottish Fisheries Bill tonight after the Scottish Executive backed the move.
Original drafts of the bill proposed creating the power to ban livebaiting in areas where translocation of fish could damage rare species or fragile ecosystems.
But an ammendment tabled last month proposed a blanket ban and this has now become incorporated into the bill.
In her response, which was published on the Scottish Parliament's website earlier today Rhona Brankin, Scotland's Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development said: "I thank the Committee for their recommendation that the Executive brings forward an amendment at Stage 2 to prohibit the use of live vertebrates as bait. I can confirm that we shall do so."
In her opening remarks, Ms Brankin said she was happy with the wording of the Bill, after lengthy consultation.
She went on: "I believe that as a result, the Bill reflects the agreed view of the majority of stakeholders, striking a careful balance between competing priorities.
"While there are clearly some points of detail which may require to be amended, I believe the Bill as a whole should not be changed fundamentally."
Coarse angling interests north of the border, between them representing thousands of anglers, were united in their support for livebaiting and their belief similar legislation to that currently in force in England would suffice.
The PAC came out strongly in support of the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling in its submission during the consultation stage.
Original drafts of the bill proposed creating the power to ban livebaiting in areas where translocation of fish could damage rare species or fragile ecosystems.
But an ammendment tabled last month proposed a blanket ban and this has now become incorporated into the bill.
In her response, which was published on the Scottish Parliament's website earlier today Rhona Brankin, Scotland's Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development said: "I thank the Committee for their recommendation that the Executive brings forward an amendment at Stage 2 to prohibit the use of live vertebrates as bait. I can confirm that we shall do so."
In her opening remarks, Ms Brankin said she was happy with the wording of the Bill, after lengthy consultation.
She went on: "I believe that as a result, the Bill reflects the agreed view of the majority of stakeholders, striking a careful balance between competing priorities.
"While there are clearly some points of detail which may require to be amended, I believe the Bill as a whole should not be changed fundamentally."
Coarse angling interests north of the border, between them representing thousands of anglers, were united in their support for livebaiting and their belief similar legislation to that currently in force in England would suffice.
The PAC came out strongly in support of the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling in its submission during the consultation stage.
To read Rhona Brankin's response on behalf of the Scottish Executive in full, click here.
For more of the background, click here.
For the PAC's written submission in evidence, click here.
For the Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland's submission, click here.
For the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling's submission, click here.
For links to all submissions received, click here.
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