This was posted by Stephen Marsh Smith on another forum regarding my comments on the WUF meeting I posted yesterday..

"James, thank you for highlighting the RWGA comments, You will be surprised that these allegedly brief comments may not actually reflect what happened nor what was said and why. Clearly however, they feel its their job to criticize and diss any positive outcomes. I would be delighted to explain in some detail how and with what benefit changes to abstraction on the Usk and Wye will benefit salmon. My own talk on how smolt numbers may be estimated in two ways surely deserves discussion, at least as does Simon's outlining in some detail how our activities have reduced diffuse pollution (obviously SF, only where we have have been working) PM me if of interest NK."

I can only assume we were at the same meeting. (James mentioned above was certainly not) I know what I said, what was said to me and what I heard.

I did not dismiss any positive outcomes. Merely questioned what effect they may have.

I pointed out the benefits of the abstraction outcome to the Usk catchment but those on the Wye yet remain to be seen if the effect is likely to be big enough.  Typically he already, as in many other projects, claims a successful outcome before its even been completed.

As for his smolt numbers presentation I say again it was based mainly on opinion as to what MIGHT be happening at sea and what MIGHT be happening in the river regarding its production of smolt, neither of which has any concrete evidence to go on.  Similar to the hatchery 'genetic' debate isn't it?.

Still it does show how you can put a spin on things to try and prove your own case.  No one better at  that than Mr Marsh-Smith and WUF..

Anyone else who was there are welcome to comment.

The day I see shoals of smolt's travelling down the Wye for weeks on end, or I see the river maintain its height during a spate then perhaps I will believe what's being said. Lets hope it happens but until then why do WUF always try and stifle debate from anyone with a different opinion than their own.   Are they afraid they might not be right, after all previous predictions have been somewhat off the mark.