Just to clarify the byelaws as printed  yesterday they DO NOT apply to the Wye, Dee or Severn at the moment.   New byelaws for us and still under consideration and we should hopefully klnow in the next for weeks.  Must be before the season starts surely.  It's just a nighmare.

In a press release I saw this from Peter Gough, Principal Fisheries Officer.

Peter Gough, Principal Fisheries Advisor for Natural Resources Wales, said:

“All of our salmon stocks are in serious trouble and have fallen to historically low levels. The same is true of the majority (70%) of our sea trout stocks.  

“Over the past five years, we have engaged in a thorough process to set out the evidence to justify introduction of new fishing regulations to help protect these vulnerable stocks. 

“After an inquiry that explored the evidence, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs approved new rod and net fishing byelaws to help protect these iconic fish.

“Even relatively small numbers of fish are crucial to recover stocks in as short a time as possible. Every spawning fish matters.”

In addition, and as required by the Minister, NRW continues to work with our partners and Welsh Government to identify and address the range of pressures damaging stocks. “

Peter added:

“We firmly believe that the new byelaws, along with a range of other urgent measures such as tackling agricultural pollution, improving water quality, improving habitats and managing potential threats from predators, are vital for the future of salmon and sea trout in Wales.

“We want to work with the fishing communities and all with a stake in our river environments to protect our fish and fisheries for future generations to enjoy. The byelaws will be a positive step in helping protect stocks.”

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This guy has presided over the Wye for  three decades at least.  He has overseen its demise and all that's gone on over the years.   Many of the issues were obvious even then.  Many of us used to tell him so.  He is anti stocking but don't know what part he played in the scrapping of the SNR ponds but probably it was considerable.   In my opinion he shoulders much of the blame and crocodile tears now are hypocritical.  He needs to move on.

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Could I stress again that any views on here or purely my own and have no connection with any other person or organisation.!!
Two page article in todays Daily Mail regarding the salmons demise plus mention of the Wye.