Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

For attention of Virginia Hawkins, Clerk to Sustainability Committee.

1. I am a recreational user.

2. I am not a member of a canoeing organisation.

3. I canoe on a variety of rivers in S.Gwynedd

4. I understand that there are no legal rights in England and Wales to canoe on non tidal rivers.

5. I have no knowledge of any Voluntary Agreements, probably because I am not a member of an organisation, and I do not read the canoeing press.

6. I suggest the following are key issues:

a.Disturbance to an individual fisherman whilst fishing, is most acute (1) on a narrow stretch of river (i.e. when he can cast over the full width of the river) (2) in “calm” conditions when fishing conditions may be “ideal”.

b. Vice versa to a. above.

c. When a group exceeding (say) 4 canoeists is on the water.

d. When a canoeist(s) have no regard for a fisherman,s interest (and bearing in mind that he has probably paid for his day, and a considerable sum in some circumstances).

e. I suggest that no attempt is made to legislate on access to rivers. (costly to implement, and police etc.; further polarise the two separate interests etc.)

Instead I suggest that good examples of successful voluntary agreements are publicised in the canoeing and fishing press, and direct to canoeing and fishing clubs and organisations ,and this approach is strongly promoted to the relevant parties, together with an agreed “Code of Conduct” to be included in an Agreement of course.

I appreciate that this may not remove all existing or potential problems within a short time, particularily if some individuals who are not a member of an organisation(canoeing or fishing ) are unaware of, or choose to ignore any voluntary agreement.

Perhaps a suitable sign should be installed at all popular access points where a voluntary agreement IS operative. (“ for details of the agreement contact”)

Mark Yorke