The Salmon and Trout Association are a group of game anglers influencing national decision makers over the management and protection of salmon, trout and sea trout, the conservation of water and the diverse environments upon which all aquatic life depends. This is their November 2010 newlstter.
Aquaculture
Guy Linley-Adams has hit the ground running in his role as S&TA’s Aquaculture Campaign Consultant. It is too early to report on his work this month, especially as there are some sensitive issues he is already addressing, but we will be doing so on a regular basis from now on, and I think we can promise some interesting early information!
Meanwhile, our Head of Science, Janina Gray, has been over in Canada, attending the last meeting of WWF’s Salmon Aquaculture Dialogue. As this E-Newsletter is written, she is on her way home and we will report on progress in the next Newsletter. However, while the standards currently mean that any farm using smolt cages in freshwater lochs are excluded from any certification process, there seems little consensus on how to effectively monitor the impact of farms on wild salmonids, in particular in regard to lice treatment and escapes. Needless to say, S&TA will not support any process which fails to address these two basic issues.
Severn Barrage
Along with other NGOs, S&TA has welcomed the Government’s announcement that there is currently no strategic case for a tidal power scheme for the Severn Estuary. The Government has cited the enormous cost of such a scheme, alongside its likely environmental impact, as the main reasons for shelving it.
In our joint response to the consultation process, S&TA and the Atlantic Salmon Trust highlighted the threat that a tidal barrage posed to Atlantic salmon and other migratory fish. This is borne out by the Government's feasibility study, which predicts that a tidal barrage would cause affected salmon stocks to collapse, with the likely extinction of some local populations. We are not opposed to the sustainable use of tidal power to generate green energy, but this must not be at the expense of wildlife or its habitats.
By waiting a little longer for the results of rapidly improving tidal power technology, we believe that the energy afforded by the second largest tidal range in the world will allow significant power generation from the Severn Estuary in future, with minimal impact on the environment or its dependent species. In particular, there should be no need to construct a barrage across the entire estuary, with its attendant issues of blocking migration routes for salmon and several other species. The estuary is a unique ecosystem and needs permanent protection from what would be catastrophic impact on fish, birds and their habitats if a full tidal barrage were built. We now look forward to proposals which will harness the Severn’s power, while safeguarding all its wildlife for future generations.
Defra and Environment Agency Cuts
As expected, Defra’s funding cuts will have a serious impact of the Environment Agency’s (EA) budget over the coming four years. EA Fisheries is slightly better off than some, in that angling licence fees contribute significantly to its budget, but salmon and sea trout work is almost entirely paid for out of Government grant in aid, and so is more vulnerable to cuts than coarse and trout fisheries. We have lobbied the Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon, along with the EA’s Chairman, Lord Smith, and Chief Executive, Paul Leinster, to safeguard enforcement and monitoring of salmon and sea trout stocks, not just as a fisheries issue but as an important biodiversity target. These are key natural indicators, and require all the protection we can give them, even in these cash-strapped times.
National Angling and Fisheries Forum
S&TA is in talks with the Environment Agency (EA) over helping to establish a National Angling and Fisheries Forum to advise the Agency on its future fisheries work, and over the most efficient use of angling licence payers’ funding of the Fisheries Department. This will be especially important, now that the EA’s Regional Advisory Groups are to be abolished next year.
S&TA Branches will have a key role to play in liaising with the EA on a regional and local level, especially in forming and, where relevant, delivering catchment management plans (see below under ‘Government’s White Paper on the Environment). We will discuss this during the Annual Branch Officers’ Meetings, the Southern one of which was held on November 4th, and the Northern one due on November 25th at Leeming Bar, Yorkshire.
Blueprint for Water
The original Blueprint for Water was very successful in bringing aquatic issues to the fore within Government department and agency policies. As previously reported, S&TA has been closely involved in the re-write for the new Government, taking a lead on two of the ten asks - Stop Pollutants Contaminating our Water; and Restore Rivers from Source to Sea – and the new Blueprint is due to be launched in the House of Commons on Tuesday, November 9th.
Government’s White Paper on the Environment
Defra has published a consultation paper ahead of the white paper on the environment, due for release in April 2011. S&TA has responded on three levels:
· as part of the Wildlife & Countryside Link response, supported by 8 million members;
· as part of a coordinated angling, fisheries, rivers trusts and Institute of Fisheries Management response; and
· in partnership with the Atlantic Salmon Trust.
The Blueprint for Water re-write comes at an opportune time to support these responses, but S&TA’s principle policy is that all the relevant issues – land management, flood risk management, water resources, hydropower, diffuse pollution, road/urban run-off – must be brought together and delivered under integrated catchment management plans, with the Water Framework Directive as a key driver. Piecemeal handling of these issues is no longer an acceptable or efficient way of operating.
The EA is beginning to talk along these lines, with the sign that all watery issues, including fisheries, will be brought under one management control in spring next year. This is a positive move, and one we will follow with great interest over the coming months, and keep you informed accordingly.
Annual Draw Prizes
Our Annual Prize Draw is an important fund raiser for the Association, but to keep the costs down and maximise income, we do depend on the generosity of individual, club and trade members in offering prizes to support the initiative. If you are able to offer fishing, tackle, books or any other suitable prizes for our 2011 Draw to be held on 27th January 2010, please contact Debbie Creasy - debbie@salmon-trout.org or 020 7283 5838 – with details. Your support would be very much appreciated. Our thanks go to those members and clubs who have already donated prizes.
Riverfly Partnership Conference
The Riverfly Partnership Conference, Your rivers – their future, will take place on Thursday, 10 March 2011, in the Flett Theatre at The Natural History Museum. This will be the third Conference held by the Partnership, and a varied programme has been organised covering science, practical support and the highly popular and enlightening ‘Discussion Period’ during the afternoon session, which is guaranteed to stimulate anyone interested in aquatic bugs. The first two Conferences were sell-outs, so early booking is advised!
Gift Aid
Check that you are registered to Gift Aid your subscription/donation. Either visit our website and sign the Gift Aid declaration or email debbie@salmon-trout.org to check that we have your declaration on file.
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