SC(3) - AIW229
Sustainability Committee
Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales
Dear Ms Hawkins,
I am writing with my comments as requested by the Sustainability Committee to assist with their inquiry into Access to Inland Water in Wales.
I fish stretches of the Dee, the Wye and very occasionally the Usk - mostly for Salmon. I also fish the Lugg for trout. I go to these wonderful places for peace, relaxation and occasional sport. I do not go there for upset and confrontation. If I run the risk of regular confrontation, regretfully, I will not go to these places anymore and me and my tourist dollar and that of my wife will go elsewhere.
My more specific points are:
Fishers pay a licence, canoeists do not - they should. Part of this should go to the EA to protect and improve the environment because at the moment there is no formal contribution in this direction.
If canoeists want to use the water that passes through someone else’s land they should negotiate - in the same way that the fishers have done. By all accounts it seems that fishers, in general, are ready to negotiate on the subject of access but canoeists seem not to be.
Fishers have over many years and at their own expense purchased or leased stretches of water for their sport. When doing this and through good husbandry they have maintained or improved the natural environments - again at their own expense - yes for their sport, but also for the benefit of the environment as a whole.
With one exception that I am aware of, canoeists have not bought stretches of water to enjoy their sport. If they had, fishers would have to negotiate to fish on their water - we would not assume that we can trespass at will. If I happened across some attractive water I would not dream of putting up a rod to fish without finding out who owned the fishing and then asking permission.
I would submit that encouraging mass trespass to establish some form of status quo from which to argue a case as the wronged party is disingenuous.
Yours Sincerely
Geoffrey Southall
