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Fish Legal is delighted to have secured a £17,500 settlement for its member club, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Angling Society, as a result of a civil claim mounted on behalf of the anglers following the pollution of the River Grom in June 2006.

Fish Legal Fishing NewsA series of equipment failures at the Tunbridge Wells sewage treatment works saw partially treated sewage pumped into the Grom over a 6 day period with a devastating effect on the river and its ecology. There was an extensive fish kill during the incident and water quality on the upper Medway was seriously affected for approximately 14km downstream of the confluence with the Grom.

Electro-fishing surveys carried out by the Environment Agency post pollution in July 2006 returned just 1 immature chub on the Grom. A year later, sampling carried out in August 2007 on the Medway upstream and downstream of the confluence with the Grom found average fish species richness for a river of type upstream, but severely impoverished populations downstream of the confluence, with a complete absence of grayling, trout and chub and only 1/7th of the expected fishery biomass.

The first problems with the sewage treatment process at the works began on the 17th June 2006. Southern Water however failed to inform the Environment Agency that the works were malfunctioning and the situation only came to the attention of the Agency on the 18th June when a member of the public phoned through reports of dead fish and pungent, cloudy waters on the Grom. The time delay meant that Agency staff were unable to respond swiftly with aeration equipment to boost oxygen levels in the river and avoid the worst effects of the pollution.

The damage of the river was compounded when back-up equipment brought in by Southern Water to help rectify the situation also broke down and it was not until 22nd June that the treatment works to be returned to full operation
Fish Legal solicitor, Guy Linley-Adams, explained:

“The Grom, which is a relatively small tributary of the River Medway, was still recovering after a similar, serious pollution incident from the Tunbridge Wells works in 1989. We were particularly disappointed that Southern Water did not respond quickly and appropriately to mitigate the environmental impact of the 2006 event. We have however been very encouraged by Southern Water’s willingness to engage with Fish Legal, to recognise the damage caused to our member club’s fishery downstream of their works and more generally, to recognise the presence of angling clubs across the Southern Water region.”

He added:

“Since the incident, Southern Water has spent in excess of £2 million on improvements at the sewage works concerned and they have extended an open invitation to all members of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Angling Society to visit the newly refurbished works to see for themselves the investment that has gone into improving the quality of discharges into the club’s waters.”

Southern Water and Fish Legal together are looking to compile a list of all angling clubs downstream of sewage works in Southern Water's area so they can be contacted immediately in the event of any problems at any of Southern Water's sites.

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Published in Latest UK fishing news

The Angling Trust took a big step forward this week when Sport England awarded it formal recognition as the National Governing Body (NGB) for game, sea and coarse angling.

Angling Trust Fishing NewsMark Lloyd, Angling Trust Chief Executive, explains: “At last angling has a single membership organisation recognised by government to represent the voice of anglers and the future of their sport. This builds on the recent success of the Angling Development Board in getting angling recognised and funded as a sport by Sport England. Angling clubs who are members of the Angling Trust will now find it easier to get support and funding from their local authorities and County Sport Partnerships.”

“More than 1,100 clubs and just over 10,000 individuals have joined the Angling Trust so far. This makes the Trust one of the largest NGBs already in terms of club membership. If the 250,000 anglers who are members of our member clubs were to join as individuals for just £1.75 a month, we would be the largest NGB in the country. We also need the support of all anglers to create a powerful and influential organisation which can demonstrate the importance of angling to government and other decision-makers.”

Mike Heylin, Chairman of Angling Trust said: “Governing body status is important to all of us for the funding of development plans for angling but anglers need to understand that it does not mean that Angling Trust governs angling. For anglers we remain a representative body taking the message of the importance of angling and all our fisheries to government and beyond. Angling is governed by law, regulation and byelaws, the importance of the Angling Trust is that it can speak with the law-makers and regulators and represent the views of anglers nationally, that is why it is important that anglers take up membership.”

Governing Body status will also make it easier for the Angling Trust to secure public funding to support its activities promoting angling participation and will give it the authority to govern the national angling teams fishing in international competitions. The official recognition will also help the Trust campaign and lobby on behalf of anglers on issues ranging from access to waters, local angling bans and environmental and fisheries legislation.

Anglers can sign up on the Trust’s website at www.anglingtrust.net. Clubs, fisheries, tackle shops and riparian owners should contact us on 0844 7700616 for more information about Angling Trust and Fish Legal Membership.


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The 2009 World Championships took place in Almere, Netherlands on 5th & 6th September 2009. Joint Managers, Mark Downes and Mark Addy said “this was probably one of the best run Championships to date, but for the England team the most frustrating one we have witnessed in our reign as managers”. The England team were: Will Raison, Alan Scotthorne, Steve Gardner, Sean Ashby, Stuart Conroy and Des Shipp, Joint Managers, Mark Downes and Mark Addy.

Angling Trust Fishing NewsMark Downes, Joint Manager, stated “our fifth placed finish a mere 3.5 points behind eventual winners Slovakia was in itself close but when the results are scrutinised you realise just how close. Hindsight is a great thing but with just a few small tactical changes we all agreed the title was there for the taking. Bream were our main quarry and on day 1 four of our 5 anglers caught them but on day 2 we only managed to get two with bream and as a result we thought we were well out of the race. Yet because of the increased difficulty in assessing other teams’ placings, due to the new 3 section system we failed to spot exactly how close we were.

Will Raison’s silver medal win with an almost perfect score once again showed the world just how good he is. His superb section win on day 2 nearly tripling the weight of his nearest section rival had the 1000 or so spectators camped behind him awestruck; it will only be a matter of time before he gets his next title.

Mark Downes continued: “Mark Addy and myself realise we cannot rest on our laurels as even the slightest lapse will be penalised. I feel more and more teams can now win this title especially under the new points system, which I feel has to be reassessed, before next year’s Championships in Spain”.

Dick Clegg, OBE, International Events Manager stated: “the FIPSed technical commission had rejected two waters offered by the Dutch Federation before accepting the Lage Vaart canal as the venue for the 2009 World Championships in Holland. Reservations because of lack of fish were totally unfounded as the results show. This was one of the fairest match waters that I have seen in my 26 years of World Championship involvement and congratulations must go to the organisers.

“This year was the first Nations World Championships fished to the new split section ruling, and as a result the final team placing changed. Under the old system it would have read 1st -Belgium 108 points, 2nd - England 111 points, 3rd - France 113 points. Drennan team England caught up really well to the first match day and had formulated a plan that we all expected to work well. It was almost perfect and indeed only one bream extra in any one of 3 sections would have won us the gold. It was good to see Slovakia and Russia on the podium and to see Will Raison win yet another medal. Although the team are disappointed, they did put together an exceptional performance and they can’t wait to get to Spain next year.

“The Dutch Federation can be proud of their efforts as the organisation was exceptional and the venue was superb.

“Finally, I would like to thank Peter Drennan and his company for their continued financial support of the Team”.


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Angling is one of the first sports to be recognised by Sport England as making good use of the opportunity to work with County Sports Partnerships (CSP) to increase participation. Sport England has given the Angling Development Board (ADB) the green light to work with all 49 County Sports Partnerships and access their core services for angling.

Sport EnglandThe ADB will initially focus on 24 CSPs during 2009 and 2010 throughout England to gain their support to:

  • develop angling clubs and fisheries
  • train and develop angling coaches
  • establish programmes to increase participation in angling, particularly amongst young people and under-represented groups
  • improve local knowledge and information sharing
  • develop local networks and relationships to deliver the community benefits from angling

Sport England is investing £10 million per year to ensure CSPs provide a minimum and consistent level of support to deliver their national sports strategies. The ADB has made good use of this offer through its eight recently appointed Regional Development Officers.

As part of this process the ADB has already started forming County Angling Action Groups to bring together angling clubs, fisheries, coaches, volunteers, schools and community groups to identify local needs. The ADB is working with CSPs to form County Angling Action Groups and access core services. Already nine Groups have been formed and a further 15 are in development.

Jackie Sheldon, ADB Senior Development Manager said “This is an exciting time for the development of angling. Being one of the first sports to gain the green light by Sport England to work with the CSP network indicates that the ADB has made significant progress in just two years. It has demonstrated the potential for angling to deliver on national, regional and local benefits through the development of angling. This includes increased resources, recognition and support for angling at a local level. We are encouraging angling clubs, fisheries, coaches and volunteers to get involved in the County Angling Action Groups to take advantage of these opportunities.

David Moore, Chair of the ADB, said ‘We have been working towards this recognition for two years and we appreciate the support which Sport England, the Environment Agency and British Waterways have all given us to make this breakthrough for angling’’.

Anyone wishing to get involved in the County Angling Action Groups should contact their Regional Angling Development Officer whose contact can be found on the ADB website:

www.anglingtrust.net

Or telephone the Angling Development Board Office on 0115 9815972

Further information regarding the work of the ADB can be obtained from Jackie Sheldon, Senior Development Manager, Angling Development Board at Jackie.sheldon@anglingdevelopmentboard.org.uk


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Published in Latest UK fishing news

Fish Legal has sent formal letters of claim on behalf of two of its member clubs – the Ribblesdale Angling Association and the Mid-Ribble Angling Society – after both clubs had their fishing wiped out by mud pouring into the River Ribble when a gas pipeline was laid across the river and its tributaries between June 2006 and August 2007.

Fish LegalEntrepose – the contractors for National Grid - left large areas of earth next to the river exposed during the works and failed to put in place a comprehensive and effective system of settlement lagoons and silt traps to protect the watercourse from sediment-laden run-off. Further slugs of sediment flowed downstream when trenches were excavated in the river channel itself.

The claim made by Fish Legal on behalf of the anglers follows the prosecution and conviction of Entrepose by the Environment Agency for 18 separate pollution offences under Section 85 of the Water Resources Act 1991. The company also asked for another 18 other offences to be taken into consideration.

National Grid won the lucrative contract to lay the gas pipeline from Panal, near Harrogate in North Yorkshire to Nether Kellet near Carnforth in Lancashire. Entrepose was contracted to undertake the £55million project on their behalf.

John Whitham of the Mid-Ribble Angling Society and the Ribble Fisheries Consultative Association said,

“The silt pollution at the height of the salmon season made the river unfishable. Some club members had taken time off work and travelled from as far afield as London - and, in one case, America - to find that the river was so dirty that the fishing they had planned and looked forward to for many months was ruined.”

He added:

“We are aware that such developments are probably necessary but the companies contracted to do the work must be held responsible for all their sub-contractors ensuring that there is no damage to the environment or the assets of others. Not only does such neglect affect anglers but also the local tourism industry and many others associated with the sport of angling.”

Fred Higham of the Ribblesdale Angling Association was angered by the lack of care taken by Enrepose:

“from the outset, and at our first site meeting with the Entrepose Management Team, we highlighted our concerns at the possible siltation effects on the river. When I said my concern was for the river, their reply was, “ours is for the pipeline.” They seemed to be unaware of the river habitat’s sensitivities or to even care about the potential damage they could and did do, not only to our fishing, but also the environment.”

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of Fish Legal and the Angling Trust, said:

“Any company carrying out work of this scale should put in place stringent measures to prevent soil being washed into streams. Entrepose seem to have been surprised by the fact that it rained very heavily in the North West of England. Their mismanagement of this huge project led to significant damage to fish spawning and invertebrate habitat as well as ruining our members’ fishing. We hope that the company will agree to settle these claims for the loss of amenity promptly and without dispute.”


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Sandra Scotthorne, dual World Champion, has announced this week that she is to call it a day after representing her country on no fewer than 15 occasions.

Angling Trust Fishing NewsDick Clegg OBE, International Events Manager said “as International Events Manager for the NFA it was my responsibility at the inaugural Ladies World Championships held in Bulgaria in 1994 to select a Manager, and also to help with the selection of our first team. May Vince, our Manager, was insistent that Sandra Halkon Hunt should be part of the squad, and this same lady, having in the meantime changed her name to Scotthorne, has with the exception of 1996 been an ever present member of the team.

Her resignation from international angling is therefore a bitter pill for me to swallow. She has not only become one of the best anglers in the world but both her, and her company have helped to elevate men's, and in particular ladies’ angling worldwide. She has become a personal friend of mine, and will leave a hole in the team that will be impossible to fill.

I would like to thank Sandra for all her years of commitment and wish her all the best in her retirement”.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said: “Sandra is an angling legend and has been an inspiration to thousands of female anglers who will follow in her footsteps. We are very grateful to her for 15 years of international service and for her support of the Angling Trust and wish her all the best for the future.”


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The Board of the Angling Trust is very pleased to have received the offer of assistance from an Advisory Panel of high profile anglers. The panel is being established by some very well known and respected names from the angling media and trade, including Martin Bowler, Keith Arthur, John Wilson, John Everard, Tim Norman, Danny Fairbrass and Ruth Lockwood. We look forward very much to working with them in a spirit of full transparency and cooperation. We welcome their expert guidance in building a successful and effective organisation to represent all angling in the future.

Angling Trust Fishing NewsThe Board is very grateful to these individuals for offering their time entirely free of charge and expenses and to the very many offers of support from the trade to help promote the Angling Trust to a wider audience. We hope that this Advisory Panel will attract other anglers whose knowledge, experience and influence can help the Trust grow.
Membership recruitment has increased markedly in recent days and we hope very much that this will continue so that the organisation can establish the membership base it needs to have a powerful political voice to protect, promote and defend angling.

We urge all anglers to follow the lead of the stars and join the Angling Trust today.


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Published in Latest UK fishing news

The Angling Trust’s Anglers with Disabilities England Team took part in the 11th Freshwater World Championships at Ponte De Sor, Portugal on 8th-9th August 2009. The Sor River at Ponte De Sor is clear water and slow stream with the main fish specimens present being Barbel, Bogas, Carps and Bleaks.

Angling Trust Fishing NewsThe World Champion squad consisted of anglers who had earlier in the year taken part in selection matches that were fished to international rules to help identify anglers who are of international calibre. Fishing at international level is completely different to the way anglers normally fish in this country, and the selection matches gave the anglers the opportunity to prove their skills to deliver success at Ponte De Sor. The squad selected to take part in the World Championships consisted of; Stefan Gent, Mark Eves, Alan Chadbone, Andy Lakey, Terry Naulls, and England Manager, Joe Roberts.

Joe Roberts, England Manager stated “On day one the top three teams all fished for bleak with weights up to 3kg. England started for bleak, but started slipping behind the leading teams after 1 ½ hours, so changed their method to waggler and long pole feeding Hemp seed, the team managed to pull it back finishing the first day in 5th place. 

On day two the team started for bleak but only for 20 minutes, then changed onto another method for waggler and long pole, going ahead and winning day two with 9 points. The team gelled really well together and I was a little concerned on day one, but the team managed to pull it back on day two and take the bronze medal position and win 3rd place overall. I would like to thank Drennan for donating tackle to the team and offer our appreciation for their support.”

Day 1
1st Slovenia 12 pts
2nd Bosnia 12 pts
3rd Croatia 12 pts
4th France 15 pts
5th England 21 ½ pts

Day 2
1st England 9 pts
2nd Slovenia 10 pts
3rd Czech Rep 15 pts
4th Croatia 18 pts

Overall
1st Slovenia
2nd Croatia
3rd England
4th Bosnia
5th Czech Republic
6th France
7th Italy
8th Belgium
9th Portugal

Individuals
1st Rade Kelecevic – Bosnia
2nd Rudolf Centrih – Slovenia
3rd Ota Petracek – Czech Republic
6th Andy Lakey – England
8th Stefan Gent – England
10th Alan Chadbone - England 


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Student Adam Richards won this weekend’s PartyPoker.com Fish-O-Mania qualifier at Tunnel Barn Farm on Saturday 16th May with a haul of 114lb 10ozs. Student Adam, from Billingham and a Maver Barnsley team member, drew peg 13 on Canal Pool where he pole fished worms across to the island to take a succession of F1’s to 3lb for his winning weight. He fed a kilo of worms and 3pints of casters to keep his fish interested.

Angling Trust Fishing News130 Anglers faced strong winds and some really heavy rain during this match, a match that produced a very close result and an interesting story. A close second was Adam’s travelling companion Gareth Malham.

Adam’s pal Gareth, a float maker from Chester Le Street and fishing under the Malman Floats banner, drew peg 14 on Top Pool where he pole fished luncheon meat at 14 metres to catch F1’s and Carp to 9lbs for his runners up weight of 111lbs 14ozs.

Third place went to Maver Midlands angler Rober Cooksey who took carp to 7lbs from Peg 26 on New Pool to weigh in with 110lbs 13ozs.

Former Finalist Steve Hemingray from Leicester came pretty close again with 99lbs 6ozs from Peg 3 on Top Pool to finish in 4th place. Steve fishes for Dorking.

Fifth place went to Stuart Ballard of Maver Midlands who weighed in 94lbs 12ozs from Peg 10 on Club Pool and James Hughes claimed 6th place with 90lbs 7ozs from Peg 18 on Top Pool.

Source: Angling Trust Fish 'O'Mania News

Published in website

Anglers who have fished Foremark Reservoir in Derbyshire for a generation held a protest outside Severn Trent Water’s Headquarters today after the water company refused to back down on its controversial plans to close two thirds of the reservoir to angling due to concerns about health and safety of the public, the anglers themselves and the structural integrity of the dam wall.

Angling TrustAfterwards, a meeting was held between Foremark Fly Fishers, the Angling Trust and the Operations Director of Severn Trent.

The Angling Trust and Foremark Fly Fishers will launch a petition this weekend at the Spring Fly Fair in Newark to seek the support of thousands of anglers who are angered by this decision by the privatised utility. The petition will go online next week on the Angling Trust website at www.anglingtrust.net

Earlier this week, support for the anglers case came from an unlikely source: the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), whose Strategy Division wrote to the angling club: “there are a great many myths circulating about what ‘health and safety regulations’ require; they are just that – myths. Unfortunately some organisations fall for these myths and act upon them. It does appear that health and safety is being used as a reason to limit the amount of fishing along the banks of the reservoir when the real reason may well be something else altogether.”

The HSE went on to suggest that the anglers ask the company for a copy of the risk assessment which led to the decision being taken. Despite several requests to Severn Trent, a copy has not been forthcoming and at a meeting with Peter Gavin, a Director at Severn Trent, it was confirmed that the document would not be released. This has led anglers to speculate that no such assessment exists.

David Coates, Chairman of Foremark Fly Fishers said: “I felt that the meeting was positive although no firm commitments were made, the dialogue has opened up and the company has agreed to make a ‘response with substance’ in the next two weeks or so.”

Alan Dawes, Secretary Foremark Fly Fishers and Angling Correspondent for the Burton Mail said: “it was good to meet Severn Trent face to face, and although nothing positive came out of the meeting, it was obvious that they listened to our grievances and were prepared to discuss it further in the near future.”

Mark Lloyd Chief Executive, Angling Trust said: “I am appalled by the way Severn Trent has treated their customers. There has been no consultation about this entirely unreasonable decision and no attempt to take on board our members’ suggestions for measures to mitigate any risks which might exist. It is clear that the Health and Safety Executive agrees. We will be calling on all anglers to sign our petition and, if they are shareholders or customers of Severn Trent, to write to the company and complain.”

Source: Angling Trust

Published in Latest UK fishing news
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