Saturday, 18 June 2011
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Code of conduct for sea anglers - can this be anything more than a publicty stunt?
On the face of it i is a good idea - code of conduct for sea anglers. http://www.gofishing.co.uk/Angling-Times/Section/News--Catches/Catch-Reports/TV-chef-backs-new-sea-fishing-code-of-conduct/. Showing other groups with an interest in the sea that we recognise that we have a responsibility to safeguard marine habitats etc...and take that seriously. To be fair to Hugh, who has put his weight behind the idea, it is restricted to Dorset but that in itself could be a good way to start.
However.... knowing sea anglers as I do I am not sure how you can enact such a code. It would by definition be voluntary and what would the sanctions be for someone breaking the "Code"? Sea angling organisations probably have contact with less that 50% of the people who regularly sea fish so how would this code be publicised and agreed upon?
I'm in favour of the idea just a little sceptical about what it will achieve over and above a bit of publicity for Hugh (maybe a bit unfair) and a sign that we can do things together (worth trying).
The press release quotes it thus:
However.... knowing sea anglers as I do I am not sure how you can enact such a code. It would by definition be voluntary and what would the sanctions be for someone breaking the "Code"? Sea angling organisations probably have contact with less that 50% of the people who regularly sea fish so how would this code be publicised and agreed upon?
I'm in favour of the idea just a little sceptical about what it will achieve over and above a bit of publicity for Hugh (maybe a bit unfair) and a sign that we can do things together (worth trying).
The press release quotes it thus:
"The project is being run in conjunction with Dorset Wildlife Trust in support of the Recycle Fish campaign to protect wildlife and help recreational fishermen to enjoy their sport with the minimum impact on the marine environment.
A waterproof tackle box card has been produced that lists top tips for handling and caring for sea fish."
Bit woolly for me at the moment but I'll certainly support it and encourage other to do so - it is a start I guess.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
On fish predation by Cormorants and Otters
It's a truism that fish get eaten - mostly by other fish and very often with the active encouragement of anglers. There are a host of predators queuing up to chomp on our freshwater fish. Pike, Perch, Trout, chub, Barbel and Catfish, followed by Heron's, Ospreys, Kingfishers, 4 species of Grebe's, Mergansers, Goosanders, Divers, not to mention Rats, Cats, Mink and even Foxes but there are two species who seem to track anglers ire in particular Cormorants and Otters!
A lot of bunkum is talked about both these animals - some of it by quite intelligent people - but there is no doubt that in some parts of the country there is a problem. When a fishery spends large sums of money stocking carp, trout of other expensive fish only to find a tree full of fat cormorants sitting there the next day and no fish in the water it is a major problem. However the evidence for this happening on a large scale is scant and mostly anecdotal. Cormorants come inland, particularly during the winter, and take up residence where there is a ready food source. so if one is provided for them then it's no wonder they'll tuck in. It is possible to get a licence to shoot them but the process is mired in "red tape" and only small numbers can be shot at one time.
There is a government review of this procedure going on but don't hold your breath - and although evidence is being gathered and a case is there to be made to un-protect the bird when inland it is unlikely this problem is going to go away any time soon.
As for Otters - well these animals have been blamed for an awful lot of predation which they clearly haven't carried out - and some slightly hysterical anglers want to be able to shoot them. The facts are clear and available on the Internet as much research has been done into their habits and how they affect river systems and they are after all a native species wiped out by man.
For me I think all these animals have to be tolerated to some degree although I haven't had first hand experience of fish predation maybe I'm being too fluffy hugging but as Otters move ever nearer to my own part of the country (one was spotted only 30 miles form where I live) we'll see what effect they have on my local rivers.
A lot of bunkum is talked about both these animals - some of it by quite intelligent people - but there is no doubt that in some parts of the country there is a problem. When a fishery spends large sums of money stocking carp, trout of other expensive fish only to find a tree full of fat cormorants sitting there the next day and no fish in the water it is a major problem. However the evidence for this happening on a large scale is scant and mostly anecdotal. Cormorants come inland, particularly during the winter, and take up residence where there is a ready food source. so if one is provided for them then it's no wonder they'll tuck in. It is possible to get a licence to shoot them but the process is mired in "red tape" and only small numbers can be shot at one time.
There is a government review of this procedure going on but don't hold your breath - and although evidence is being gathered and a case is there to be made to un-protect the bird when inland it is unlikely this problem is going to go away any time soon.
As for Otters - well these animals have been blamed for an awful lot of predation which they clearly haven't carried out - and some slightly hysterical anglers want to be able to shoot them. The facts are clear and available on the Internet as much research has been done into their habits and how they affect river systems and they are after all a native species wiped out by man.
For me I think all these animals have to be tolerated to some degree although I haven't had first hand experience of fish predation maybe I'm being too fluffy hugging but as Otters move ever nearer to my own part of the country (one was spotted only 30 miles form where I live) we'll see what effect they have on my local rivers.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Monday, 6 June 2011
Bexhill sea anglers stop the ban
Coverage in the local paper about how an anglers petition changed council policy about banning angling on the beach in the summer months.
http://www.bexhillobserver.net/news/bexhill-news/anglers_signature_cast_of_thousands_nets_result_1_
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Springwatch, beavers and fishing!
I was watching Springwatch on the telly last night and a central part of the programme, even the whole week, is a section devoted to the introduction of beavers back into the wild in the UK.
Although the attempted to explore the potential controversy around this contentious bit of science I couldn't help wondering what on earth is the point of reintroducing an animal that hasn't been native in the UK in numbers for more than 1000 years and is probably one of the most destructive rodents on the planet. Now some anglers have long complained aboput Cormorants (with justification) and otters (with little justification) but there is no animal that will have such a direct and destructive effect on fish stocks and habitats than beavers - lets face it their raison de'tre is reshaping the landscape in which they live.
This is fine in the wide open spaces of Canada, Russia(?) and USA where the're still plentiful in the wild but surely not in our crowded little island. They are shy noctuirnal creatures who will eschew human company but some of these naturalists have forgotten(conveniently) the destruction wrought in East Anglia by Coypu's when they were introduced (or escaped) into the wild in the 70's.
If some anglers insist on campaigning against cute furry animals maybe they should turn their ire on beavers and leave the poor old otter alone. I know beavers don't actually eat fish but they do make a hell of a mess and ruin fish habitats. Just a thought.
(Also the appalling Martin Hughes-Games dcemonstrated his own feelings abouit fishing when he said he'd like to introduce alligators in to ponds to make it a bit more even for wildlife against anglers - what a cretin!)
Although the attempted to explore the potential controversy around this contentious bit of science I couldn't help wondering what on earth is the point of reintroducing an animal that hasn't been native in the UK in numbers for more than 1000 years and is probably one of the most destructive rodents on the planet. Now some anglers have long complained aboput Cormorants (with justification) and otters (with little justification) but there is no animal that will have such a direct and destructive effect on fish stocks and habitats than beavers - lets face it their raison de'tre is reshaping the landscape in which they live.
This is fine in the wide open spaces of Canada, Russia(?) and USA where the're still plentiful in the wild but surely not in our crowded little island. They are shy noctuirnal creatures who will eschew human company but some of these naturalists have forgotten(conveniently) the destruction wrought in East Anglia by Coypu's when they were introduced (or escaped) into the wild in the 70's.
If some anglers insist on campaigning against cute furry animals maybe they should turn their ire on beavers and leave the poor old otter alone. I know beavers don't actually eat fish but they do make a hell of a mess and ruin fish habitats. Just a thought.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
A new blog for promoting angling in the UK
This is the second post of a new blog called WeLoveFishing. I will be posting news and views (not all mine) and information about angling in Sussex and beyond.
Firwstly a note about the Angling Trust. For too long anglers have been completely ignored as a body, then the Angling Trust came along with its mission is to give anglers voice and representation where it really matters. And so far they have made a difference in a number of areas.
Anglers have been incredibly resistant and membership is stubbornly refusing to get up above 12,000. the problem seems to be that anglers are incredibly chippy and unwilling to take anything at face value - well it's about time they started to have a little faith in the work the Angling Trust is doing on their behalf.
It is incredible how when anglers get together they can make things happen - my previous post about Rother District Council proves this. So all anglers should put their hand in their pocket and pay their £20 to join.
Firwstly a note about the Angling Trust. For too long anglers have been completely ignored as a body, then the Angling Trust came along with its mission is to give anglers voice and representation where it really matters. And so far they have made a difference in a number of areas.
Anglers have been incredibly resistant and membership is stubbornly refusing to get up above 12,000. the problem seems to be that anglers are incredibly chippy and unwilling to take anything at face value - well it's about time they started to have a little faith in the work the Angling Trust is doing on their behalf.
It is incredible how when anglers get together they can make things happen - my previous post about Rother District Council proves this. So all anglers should put their hand in their pocket and pay their £20 to join.
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