You may recall some time ago a plea was made for anglers to log sighting of Cormorants or goosanders and chicks and send them in to Chris James of Hereford anglers in an attempt to collate information re numbers leading to a full river count in the autumn. There was, one has to say unsurprisingly -little response.
see below email and reply from WSA re this matter.
Yet another matter WUF seem uninterested in pursuueing. No grant money I suppose!!
Sent: 18 July 2017 18:06
To: Stuart Smith <stuartsmith@wyesalmon.com>
Subject: Re: WSA Game Angling Dayout
HI again stuart is it possible to forward this via the
wsa so as to get some sort of feedback. Regards phil
Hi Stuart ,I know I emailed you sometime ago ref bird
predation on the upper wye and spawning grounds , I feel compelled to tell you
of a incident yesterday while fishing the white swan water on the ithon,
in a half mile stretch myself and a friend counted 44. Yes 44
gooseander now these fish are having such an easy time feeding as the
water is so low , the week before I fished the teme at hambridge
and counted 18. , I am left so frustrated with wsa for not commenting on
this which is now becoming an epidemic , I speak to other fishing pals and they
are encountering similar events , regardless of how much work. Or money which
is going to or has been spent on improving the spawning grounds , all we are
doing is going to be a complete waste of time and give false hope to all salmon
anglers , WHEN are we as a body going to tackle this issue because
regardless of how many fish make it back ultimately all we are doing is
feeding this plague , I have fished these areas for many years and
have never seen anything like it and left to feel so frustrated , almost gutted
to see the devastation , are we as anglers or as a body to scared
to mention this for fear of offending the likes of the RSPB ? Of
which I am a member , but there has to be a balance and some redress ,
before its to late , I have to say I feel sick to pit of my stomach ,
with the way this issue is being ignored , PLEASE PLEASE stuart get this
subject on the agenda before it is to late. Regards
Phil,
You are right, this is a very real problem that many of us have found almost impossible to deal with. I can assure you it is not for the want of trying. We are currently working with Hereford anglers and Angling Trust on the issue and are planning with those two groups to carry out a whole river count of both Goosanders and Cormorants later in the year to present a case to NRW/EA for an increase in the numbers on the culling licenses. As a volunteer organisation we struggle to find volunteers to lead all the initiatives needed to protect our salmon. We would be happy to discuss the issue further with you if you feel you could offer some leadership on this matter. In the short term I will however…….
Copy your email [anonymously if you wish] to NRW/EA/AT/WUF for comment
Put your text on our website and facebook pages.
Ask Geoff Franks to put it on his gillies blog
Raise it at the next Wye Local Fisheries Group [LFG] meeting November
Please be assured we are not afraid to upset RSPCA/RSPB or anyone else but this is a subject that has little popular support outside the angling community…………..your average member of population sees these vermin as warm blooded, fluffy, cuddly birds. We however MUST find a way of moving it up the agenda. If you feel you would like to help please let me know.
Regards
Stuart Smith
WSA
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