SC(3) - AIW05

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

I have been following the online debate about allowing canoe/craft access to Welsh rivers.

There is a romantic notion that everyone should have access to land and water, both inland and sea, in Britain. However in practice this is not possible for eminently practical reasons.

At a superficial level access to Welsh rivers by canoeist would appear to be an organic right however this can only take place in parity with the access availed to other river users and riparian owners, the impact on migratory and non migratory fish and ecological effects.

Fishermen are the custodians of the river. Without their presence there would be an increase in poaching, pollution would go unnoticed and bank sides would deteriorate increasing the potential for flooding. Fishermen have to pay for the right to fish. Some of this payment forms a significant income stream for the Environment agency.

Sea Trout, known in Wales as Sewin, are synonymous internationally with Fishing in Wales. They have iconic status in the national and international fishing community attracting tourists from far and wide. They are a shy fish being easily disturbed, hence the unique method of fishing occurs in the hours of darkness. They return to the river of their birth where they spawn in the autumn. Another opportunity to be disturbed by canoes.

My impression of canoeing of a single person in a kyak was shattered recently when I saw a picture of a group of inflatables , each containing 4-6 people, on the Teifi. Perhaps the term canoeing, with its impression of peace and tranquility,smoke screens the true impact of unfettered inland waterway access.

'Canoeing" as an activity is often offered commercially as on the Wye system so will be subject to economic pressures that may erode any ecological considerations. Noise and litter pollution will increase turning the countryside into a fun fair.

I have experienced the devastating affect that fish farming in North West Scotland has had on seatrout stocks so am conscious on how fragile the species can be.Their loss to Wales would be equivalent to banning Rugby !!

Sympathetic as I am to peoples right of access it must be considered in the light of existing users and the ecological and economic consequences.The scottish experience has not been totally successful for all parties.

Neil Upton