SC(3) - AIW22

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

What is your interest in the issue of access to inland waterways

Recreational user - Riparian Wildlife photography.
Fishing - I am a trout fisherman.
I am also a river bailiff for part of the River Monnow.

Are you a member of an organisation related to your use of water?

I an Honorary Secretary of the Monmouth & District Angling Society.

Which stretch/es of water do you own/use/manage?

In total 7 Miles of the River Monnow: 4 as a river bailiff and fisherman and 3 nearer Monmouth as a fisherman and society secretary (see above).
5 Miles of the River Trothy (fisherman and society secretary).
1 mile of the River Wye (as fisherman and society secretary).
2 Coarse Fishing pools near Dingestow (Monmouth) as a fisherman and society secretary.

Legal rights

Are you happy that your legal rights are clear and well defined?

No

Can you briefly outline your understanding of your legal rights over the stretch of water/s that you own/use/manage.

Fishing is only permitted if the fisherperson has an annually renewable species related license obtained form the Environment Agency and the permission of the owner of the fishing rights on that particular water. Differing species permit license holders only to fish during designated periods as defined by the Environment Agency for that species in that particular location.

I understand that canoeists are permitted on any river designated as a navigable river by the Environment Agency. On a river not so designated such as the River Monnow, I believe canoeists are only allowed access provided they have written permission from the EA and permission from any landowners across whose land they need access to both enter and to leave the river.

Would you like to see any changes to your legal rights?

I am not sure.

Are you aware of any legislation that exists in other countries that could be used in Wales?

No

Voluntary agreements

Do you have any experience of voluntary agreements for access to the stretch of water/s you own/use/manage

No

Would you like to see any changes to the voluntary agreements?

Are you aware of any voluntary arrangements in other countries that could be used in Wales?

No

Please can you briefly outline what you think are the key issues for recreational access to inland water in Wales and how you would like to see them addressed.

I believe all people whatever their recreational activity ought to have the right to enjoy the inland waterways provided their activity does not inhibit or limit the opportunity for recreation of others. This right should be conditional in that it does not threaten but enhances both the environment and wildlife and needs to be regulated, monitored and managed.

This right should not be god given but should be subject to charge related directly to the cost of upkeep and maintenance of the riparian environment and should reflect any causal damage by the participants in the activity.

As fishermen we have the health of the rivers and ponds uppermost in our minds and spend time and money establishing healthy "in stream” populations and suitable habitat. It is imperative that any increase in the use of rivers and ponds by canoeists is closely monitored and regulated to avoid causing disturbance and imbalance in the precarious relationship that exists between all things in nature.

In summary, any sport needs to ensure it puts more into the environment in which it operates than it takes out.

Peter Brundret