Letter sent re MPA's in Wales consultation
Oct 4, 2009 11:27:38 GMT -1
Post by SEAJUNKY on Oct 4, 2009 11:27:38 GMT -1
FAO Julia Williams Head of Marine Legislation and Policy Department for Environment
Hello
I would like to raise two issues that I would like to be considered when making conditions for the MPA's and MCZ's in Wales. I have long campaigned for on the forum that I am involved in to try and achieve two things.
1/ The banning of the use of Gill nets anywhere on the north Wales coast (Anglesey to the Wirral) The reason behind this thinking is that, it is all to easy to claim ignorance when either fishing in Bass nursery areas, or at the wrong time in the wrong place and accidently catching Salmon. It is all to often that we find drifting gill nets that have broken away from their moorings and continued to fish until the net becomes to full to float any longer due to dead bodies of fish, birds, seals, and sometimes dolphins. Because of the listed reasons I would like to see gill nets banned from any area which may be declared as MPA's or MPZ's.
2/ A limit of one mile from the low water mark for the under 10 meter fleet.
While I fully understand that what I am about to say is completely legal at the moment, I would like you to consider the following. Under law the under 10 meter fleet are allowed to lay nets right up to the beach if they so wish. I feel that when you way up the pro's and con's of this situation, I hope that you will agree with me. I am constantly receiving letters from holiday anglers, (who I might add are part of the financial back bone for coastal communities) stating that they are considering NOT coming back to Wales for their fishing holidays for the reason that while they are sitting on Llandudno's beach fishing, an under 10 meter boat would lay net parallel to the beach within casting distance. These same fisher men are the people that are finding the drifting gill nets full of dead fish. Can you blame them?
OK now let's have a real look at what has most effect on general matters, finance! One angler who wrote to me stated that each year he comes to Wales with his 2 children, his wife, and his brother, his wife and 2 children as well. He has made the statement that he fully expects to spend nearly £3000 for his two week holiday. When you take into account his lodgings, food, entertainment, petrol, drinks. And don't forget that this is year on year. Now consider the revenue that comes in from the gill netters, and indeed the under 10 meter boat fleet. I am sure that you will pay due regard to these matters. I will of course publish this letter along with any replies on the forums that I am involved with.
Regards
Steve
Hello
I would like to raise two issues that I would like to be considered when making conditions for the MPA's and MCZ's in Wales. I have long campaigned for on the forum that I am involved in to try and achieve two things.
1/ The banning of the use of Gill nets anywhere on the north Wales coast (Anglesey to the Wirral) The reason behind this thinking is that, it is all to easy to claim ignorance when either fishing in Bass nursery areas, or at the wrong time in the wrong place and accidently catching Salmon. It is all to often that we find drifting gill nets that have broken away from their moorings and continued to fish until the net becomes to full to float any longer due to dead bodies of fish, birds, seals, and sometimes dolphins. Because of the listed reasons I would like to see gill nets banned from any area which may be declared as MPA's or MPZ's.
2/ A limit of one mile from the low water mark for the under 10 meter fleet.
While I fully understand that what I am about to say is completely legal at the moment, I would like you to consider the following. Under law the under 10 meter fleet are allowed to lay nets right up to the beach if they so wish. I feel that when you way up the pro's and con's of this situation, I hope that you will agree with me. I am constantly receiving letters from holiday anglers, (who I might add are part of the financial back bone for coastal communities) stating that they are considering NOT coming back to Wales for their fishing holidays for the reason that while they are sitting on Llandudno's beach fishing, an under 10 meter boat would lay net parallel to the beach within casting distance. These same fisher men are the people that are finding the drifting gill nets full of dead fish. Can you blame them?
OK now let's have a real look at what has most effect on general matters, finance! One angler who wrote to me stated that each year he comes to Wales with his 2 children, his wife, and his brother, his wife and 2 children as well. He has made the statement that he fully expects to spend nearly £3000 for his two week holiday. When you take into account his lodgings, food, entertainment, petrol, drinks. And don't forget that this is year on year. Now consider the revenue that comes in from the gill netters, and indeed the under 10 meter boat fleet. I am sure that you will pay due regard to these matters. I will of course publish this letter along with any replies on the forums that I am involved with.
Regards
Steve