SC(3) - AIW18

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

I write to you with regards to the proposed opening up of the rivers to the general public and more so to the canoeing fraternity.
I would like to point out that we as anglers as well as paying for the rights to fish on water and paying a substantial fee to the Environment Agency for a licence to do so which limits the amount of time we are allowed on the river bank and being conservationists of the rivers ensure that there will be fish there for future generations by imposing a catch and release system, bank and fishery maintenance which is done voluntarily and ensure that the habitat is safe.
We also support the local hatchery to ensure that the future of the Salmon and Sea Trout is there for years to come and this comes from club funds with no extra cost to the anglers.
We work hand in hand with the local farmers ensuring that fences,gates and stiles are maintained to ensure that the stocks are kept in the designated fields.

Most of our members work and vote in the locality therefore I would urge you to seek further information from different groups whether you want somebody who does not pay a licence fee, a permit fee, helps out local hotels, pubs shops and even the farming community who are only interested in their own well being do nothing for conservation or improve habitat,are not known to the local community,do not have any form of identification and are generally ignorant of the whole way of rural life as it stands.

They only use the river at their convenience and do not bring any money into the local community because they are usually in and out and away from the river on the same day

I am speaking on behalf of a small club of 200/250 people who will fold if open access is allowed, there is always ways to ensure that everybody can benefit from our natural resources but it must come at a cost to all parties involved.

Regards

Eifion Jones
Secretary
Llangadog Angling Ltd