Fisheries Consultatives Celebrate Thames Clean-up

NAFAC members, the Upper Thames Fisheries Consultative, are celebrating victory after 14 years patiently pressing the authorities to take note of a long standing illegal discharge in the Thames catchment. Their dedication on behalf of local anglers has seen Thames Water prosecuted for discharging sewage into 4 Thames tributaries, Curbridge Ditch, Colwell Brook, Emma’s Dyke and the River Windrush. The Water Company was fined a total of £ 50,000 plus £ 25,000 costs for pollution which had been ongoing for a long time.

The problem arose because of inappropriate management of storm weir overflows. In periods of high rainfall, untreated sewage is allowed into rivers where the high water flows dilute and disperse it before it can cause too much damage to the environment. However poor operation of the sewerage treatment works meant that the untreated sewage was repeatedly discharging when flows were low, causing long term pollution and the growth of sewage fungus across the bed of the watercourses.

Anglers are benefiting from the re-setting of the weir and subsequent clean-up which has meant all three watercourses have since shown a huge ecological improvement.

A delighted Mike Mann, Chairman of the Upper Thames Fisheries Consultative said “This result shows that patience and co-operation within the Consultative movement can help guide the Environment Agency to improve the fisheries environment to the benefit of all. A number of our members were involved but particular effort was made by our Secretary, Richard Knowles.”

Chairman of NAFAC, Martin Read, additionally commented, “This result demonstrates the work that Angling Consultatives are doing as part of NAFAC, and on behalf of anglers, angling, and fisheries throughout the country”.

NAFAC Welcomes EA’s new Section 30 procedure

NAFAC has welcomed the announcement by the Environment Agency of an additional method of applying for consents to move live freshwater fish. From April 2007, Angling Clubs will be able to apply on-line 24 hours a day for Section 30 consents to introduce fish and Section 25 Consents to use an unlicenced instrument to catch fish. As well as being able to track the progress of consents, Clubs will be also able to access former applications and overtype them with simple changes like dates and numbers of fish saving much time and administration. Repeat consents will also be much quicker with request being turned around within one day, direct from the central Fish Movement Authorisation Team, rather than Regional Offices as at present.

The current system is generally acknowledged to be somewhat discredited and evaded, with some suppliers moving fish illegally, because of the delays and bureaucracy often involved. It is anticipated that on-line applications will reduce this.

The new system is being implemented after discussion with the Fish Welfare Group under the auspices of FACT (Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust) on which NAFAC is represented along with the fish supply trade and other angling and fisheries bodies.

Chairman of NAFAC, Martin Read commented, “This result demonstrates what can be achieved by Fisheries and Angling organisations working together on behalf of anglers, angling, and fisheries throughout the country. I hope the improved system will reduce current bureaucracy and subsequent illegal movements so that the benefits of the consent system can start to truly protect our Fish and Fisheries”.

FishingMagic Note

The National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives (NAFAC) is the national body of local and regional fisheries and angling consultatives (stakeholder groups) that together represent the views of over 400,000 anglers and others with an interest in our fisheries.

Visit www.nafac.co.uk for more information about NAFAC.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR