Posted under kayak fishing
The picture of a rooster fish was Kindly sent in by Ralph from www.costaricawildfishing.com . The fish weighed 40lbs and was caught on a lure by Sean Haling from Wayoming. The fish was caught at Ocotal, Guanacaste in Costa Rica.
Posted under fishing tackle
Developing and promoting Hardy Sea fishing products, Neil comes to Hardy & Greys Ltd with a wealth of sea fishing knowledge and experience.
Having worked as a consultant at Penn Fishing Tackle for nine years designing, developing and testing rods, reels and associated equipment Neil also wrote and edited the company product catalogue.
As technical editor and rod tester to Sea Angler magazine for eight years, Neil researched and wrote features as well as taking part in organising and participating in photo shoots. Neil’s work at Zziplex Ltd for two years saw him dealing with all aspects of rod manufacture and testing.
As UK surfcasting champion seven times, World surfcasting champion three times and world record holder for 14 years. Neil is highly skilled in numerous casting demonstrations which have taken him all over the world demonstrating casting styles, giving lectures, safety talks and one to one tuition.
Neil also acts as Team Coach for the National Greek Surfcasting team.
Hardy & Greys Ltd is looking forward to working with Neil and growing their Sea fishing business together.
Neil said;
‘When I had completed my tour of the impressive Hardy & Greys Ltd headquarters, Alnwick I just knew I had come to the right place. My passion for developing fishing rods and reels will be put to good use here. The possibilities are endless!’
Hardy & Greys Ltd Managing Director, Richard Sanderson said;
“The opportunity of recruiting someone of Neil’s experience and reputation in both the U.K. and European Sea angling industry is a huge bonus. With the support of Henry Gilbey we have assembled a formidable amount of experience and talent for the development of our Sea business.”
Posted under casting
Steve Anderson 252-0-0/150gm,243-0-7/200gm pb
John Brimblecombe 247-0-10/125gm,215-2-4/150gm,200-0-7/175gm pb,203-1-5/200gm pb
Baz Blakeman 243-1-0/150gm
Andy Hooper 240-1-2/150gm, 209-06/150gm (back cast) cr
Ian Lawson 229-0-6/125gm,233-1-7/150gm
Jody Lenn 231-2-0/125gm,228-2-0/150gm
Bob Collins 223-2-6/125gm
Liegh Mitchell 219-0-0/150gm
Ian Miles 212-0-6125gm217-2-3/150gm
Will Powell 216-2-4/125gm
Pete Ingham 191-01/125gm,214-0-1/150gm,211-0-3/175gm,206-0-0/200gm,178-0-7/280gm cr (all on 0.35mm line)
Kieth Mitchell 212-0-2/125gm,204-1-4/150gm
Mathew Neeson 198-2-6/125gm pb
John Stevenson 195-2-2/125gm
Tommy Harland 195-0-0/125gm
Mike Gamble 185-2-0/125gm pb
Rich Comer 172-0-0/125gm,167-2-7/150gm
Ian Gillies 164-2-6
Billy Thirkhill ncr
Aaron Brown ncr
Phil Darby ncr
Kieth Carter ncr
conditions were ,rain in the morning ,dry but humid most of the afternoon ,0-3mph variable wind swinging from south to north.
well done all for putting up with the weather ,as usuall, the banter made it a great day.
Will
As you can see by the report the day was a bit of a stinker for casting , hard conditions made things very difficult for everyone , at times the court marker flags were were indicating what breeze there was blowing in different directions at either side of the court !!!! However everyone just got on w
Posted under kayak fishing
Come along and join us to form Carmarthenshire Kayak Anglers
All Welcome - Experienced and beginners.
Date/Time; Wed. May 7th 2008 - 7pm
Venue : Ship Aground Inn
123 Ashburnham Road, Pembrey, SA16 0TL. Tel:01554 823761 (For directions)
Further details contact Paul.
Tel - 07918646532
Email - paul@wkaa.co.uk
More the merrier.
Posted under kayak fishing & bempton
With a warm South West wind forecast and clearing seas myself and Robq headed off to the usual haunt this morning hoping for some early summer sport - Mr. Newdave was also hoping to join us later once his domestic chores were complete
We arrived at 10 o’clock at North Landing which boasts an excellent car park that charges 1.50 per day, why can’t all car parks be like this? - there was also a large gathering of bird watchers out in force to look at a duck
Posted under trout
Please Read More On Derwent Water On Our Fishing Forum
| Best flies | Dawson’s Olive, Black Fritz, Cat’s Whisker. |
|---|---|
| Best areas | Pow Hill, Oak Tree for bait anglers. Next to the spillway for fly anglers. |
The best week of the season so far with the rod average well over 3 fish per angler. Paul Dunn had the fish and the catch of the week with a great 9 pounder in a 27lb total catch. Paul also returned around a dozen fish on the fly, with Lures doing the damage on The Meadow. On the fly the Black Fritz continues to be the most popular fly but buzzers are also taking fish at a depth of around 3 feet.
Next to the overflow is currently the hot spot on the fly. Bait anglers are also having great sport with Pow Hill next to the Oak Tree still the best spot. Float is doing well at the moment with sinking Powerbait Eggs and worm. Watch out for the Tiger trout, which are to be stocked on Friday 25 April and we also have a big charity competition for Water Aid on Sunday 27 April with both bait and fly anglers welcome with some great prizes donated by Hardy Greys, please register by 9am.
Posted under trout
| Best flies | Dawson’s Olive, Black Fritz, Montana, Kate McClaren. |
|---|---|
| Best areas | Witch’s Hat, Disabled platform, South shore. |
Grassholme fished consistently well all week with some cracking catches being taken even on the coldest days. Season ticket holder G. Samms fished the South bank in front of the Lodge on Tuesday to take the heaviest limit of the week which weighed in at 22lb 8oz, while junior angler Conner Turnbull took a nice rainbow of 4lb 12oz among the 7 fish he caught with his father on float fished worm.
The fish remained high in the water for much of the time and float has accounted for a lot of fish, however, ledgered Powerbait has remained the most successful method when used with a long leader. Fly anglers have had better results in the Pebble Beach area this week and also along the less popular middle reaches of the South shore. Montana, Black Fritz, Kate McClaren and Olive Bumble have worked well with the best results obtained on floating and intermediate lines.
Posted under kayak fishing
The National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives, NAFAC, is urging all member and non member clubs to write to their local MP’s asking them to sign Martin Salter’s amendment to an Early Day Motion 957 which seeks to promote free uncontrolled access to all waterways for
canoeing. In the amendment Martin Salter is calling for access, where appropriate, to be on an agreed basis
and not the free for all being proposed by the British Canoe Union.
To date the Early day Motion has attracted the support of 116 MP’s, just 100 more than have signed the amendment.
Commenting on the disappointing response from angling clubs NAFAC Executive Chairman Terry Mansbridge said, ‘This is a very important matter but is yet another instance of anglers not supporting each other. Canoeing, and particularly white water canoeing, does not affect every club,
and as a result support for Martin Salter’s amendment has been sadly lacking. I would urge everyone, whether affected or not, to contact their MP’s and ask them to sign the amendment’ A sample draft letter for MP’s can be found on the NAFAC website at
www.nafac.co.uk/news/Letter-to-MP.doc
Posted under environment agency news
On Friday 18 April 2008, at Welshpool Magistrates Court, fishing without a valid rod licence cost five cheating anglers a total of £670.00.
With water bailiffs on the look out and prosecutions like this on the increase, this case should send a clear message to anglers that a day’s fishing in the Midlands without an Environment Agency rod licence could prove very expensive indeed. The maximum possible fine for fishing without a licence is £2,500.
Andrew Laird, aged 22 years, of Lon Afallen, Trehafren,
Kenneth Aspinall, aged 20 years, of Lon Eithen, Trahafren, Newtown was fined £100, ordered to pay £75 in costs and a victim surcharge of £15. He was convicted of a charge of fishing without a licence. The offence was committed at Glanhafren on the River Severn, on 14 October 2007.
Steven Lewis, aged 29 years, of Kerry Street, Montgomery was fined £150, ordered to pay £75 in costs and a victim surcharge of £15. He was convicted of a charge of fishing without a licence. The offence was committed at
Speaking after the cases, Midlands Strategic Specialist, Martin Cooper, said: “Anglers who fish without a valid rod licence need to be aware that our Water Bailiffs are out and about checking rod licenses. As today’s result demonstrates, sooner or later they are going to get caught and we won’t hesitate to prosecute.
“Not only does a prosecution prove costly, with fines of up to £2,500, it also marks an angler out as someone who cheats his fellow anglers. When you buy a rod licence, the money is used to help fund our work managing fisheries and improving the sport for everyone, work such as re-stocking rivers after pollution incidents. So if you don’t buy a rod licence, you reduce the pleasure of the sport for everyone else.
“The message from this court case is loud and clear – if you haven’t got a valid rod licence, get one today.”
Posted under boat fishing & kayak fishing
AN AVID sailor died in front of his horrified wife when the brand-new lifejacket that should have saved him malfunctioned and dragged him under the waves where he drowned.
Grandmother Ella Sweeney (69) sobbed yesterday as she told the High Court that the faulty lifejacket, which cost her beloved husband, Jack (64), his life, had also destroyed her existence.
Mrs Sweeney stood helpless on the shore at Blackrock in Cork harbour as she watched her husband battle in vain to keep his head above water — and she still has nightmares about his agonised cries for help as he was swept away on the tide to his death.
Posted under kayak fishing
Tri-star Angling & www.kayakfishing.co.uk will be holding an Open Funday at the Tri-star shop in Barmston Nr Bridlington on Sunday 1st June 2008. Fully rigged kayaks will be on show as well as a good stock of Ocean Kayak Angling kayaks & Leisure kayaks plus accessories. Also there will be refreshments plus a BBQ to help fill the days events. Tristar Angling will also as usual have its comprehensive supply of fishing tackle and bait in stock.
All welcome to come and view the large array of Angling & Fun kayaks on offer and to see a selection of rigged kayaks from some of the members of www.kayakfishing.co.uk
Posted under kayak fishing
Sometime ago, an impressive picture of a kayak and a great white shark circulated the internet which many people wrote off as photoshop imagery but as this magazine article shows, it was genuine. Keen kayakers Thomas Peschack and Michael Scholl (in the kayak in pic above) now earn full time living by using their kayaks to monitor and tag great white sharks. The magazine article link (below) makes very interesting reading.
http://www.nwsa.ukf.net/kayak/news/news.htm
Posted under kayak fishing
Some members of the Whitby fishing forum have decided to organise a kayak fishing match within next summers Scarborough Angling Festival. The festival has traditionally only run shore and boat fishing matches but the lads came up with the idea of making this years event a little different by including the areas first ever kayak fishing competition. Spokesperson for the event Ray Maddison says that there is growing interest in kayak fishing on the Yorkshire coast and early signs are that the area has some fantastic sport to offer kayak anglers. At the present time details of the match are limited but after a recent meeting of the Scarborough Angling Festival Committee the event has been added to the 2008 festival itinerary for the second Saturday of the 9 day festival and the following details have been released.
Kayak Fishing Match At Marine Drive Scarborough.
Date : 27th September 2008
Fishing Times 8am - 12 noon.
Heaviest fish match.
Boundaries are from the Sea life centre to the lighthouse with a limit of approx 800yd which will be marked with buoys.
The match will be held over the slack water period and there will be a safety boat at hand.
There will be a significant prize table with both cash and tackle prizes. Tri Star Angling and Ocean kayak will be sponsoring the event and have donated a kayak as one of the match prizes.
If you are interested in sponsoring the event please get in touch with anyone from the list of contacts below.
Match Organisers:
Iain Sellors : 01723 364452 or iainsellers@hotmail.co.uk
Glenn Kilpatrick : 01947 604395 or whitbyseaanglers@gmail.com
Updates will be available at :
http://www.whitbyseaanglers.co.uk/kayak-fishing-competition.php
Posted under kayak fishing
On the 17th/18th May at Shelly beach Exmouth
all kayak anglers are welcome to join in with a weekend of fun, safety training and much much more, our aim is to get as many kayak anglers,familiar with the safety aspects of the fast growing sport,
we will have the RNLI and HMCG on site with many talks on different subjects
There will be kayak companies, with their demo fleets , for everyone to try, also there will be tuition on hand for those who would like to advance their skills
We have been kindly donated some fantastic prizes for our raffle draw, there is even a chance to win a brand new kayak, from Johnson Outdoors ltd
On the Sunday we will hold a fishing comp, a entry fee will be charged, and all proceeds will go to the RNLI
there are some cracking prizes to win .
We hope to see as many of you as we can and hope this is going to be a fantastic weekend,
john
if there are any other kayak companies who wish to join in ,please contact me
Posted under tackle shops & bass fishing
,
We now have a small (but growing) range of Bass lures in stock, we have started off the range with what we know are generally the most productive Bass lures.
These are the new Bass lures now in stock from:
Rapala J-11 in four different colours, 4ft or so diving depth when casting. Available in Perch, Gold Fl Red, Silver & Blue http://www.baxterangling.com/productlist.php?grpid=17&catid=20
Storm Jointed Thunderstick, shallow diver running at 2-3ft. Available in Met. Blue Back, Rainbow & Met. Black Back http://www.baxterangling.com/productlist.php?grpid=17&catid=20
Rapala Saltwater X-Rap (SXR-10), available in Blue Sardine & Spotted Minnow http://www.baxterangling.com/productlist.php?grpid=17&catid=20
Storm Chug Bug, great surface lure. Available in Met. Silver Mullet, Redhead and Met. Blue Mullet http://www.baxterangling.com/productlist.php?grpid=17&catid=19
Spro DualAction, 5-6ft diver when casting. Available in Silver & Orange http://www.baxterangling.com/product.php?prodid=265 & http://www.baxterangling.com/product.php?prodid=266
Spro PowerCatcher Surface Popper Set, plastic lure box containing 6 surface poppers http://www.baxterangling.com/product.php?prodid=267
Also to come are the Rapala Magnums, Sliver and Saltwater Rattlin’ Rapala (should be here next week).
If there something you are after but you can’t find on our website then let us know and we’ll try our very best to get them in stock.
Don’t forget it’s FREE postage on orders over £20 
Cheers,
Sam
Posted under kayak fishing
On the 24/25 May 2008 there will be “Come and try” weekend based around Sit on Tops and particularly Fishing sit on tops, on the sunny Island of Guernsey!
The main purpose for this weekend is to introduce people to the concept of fishing from a kayak and also include elements of the Safety and other equipment involved. Total Fishing and Paddles magazine are interested in coming over and we have a local supplier who will be demonstrating some new Ocean Kayaks. On the Sunday we intend to run a fishing competition using sit on tops only.
What we are short of is some guys and girls who have kitted out kayaks that would be prepared to demo their kayaks so other people can see what they can do and hopefully be able to have a try on some of them. In return we will give 5 people discounted travel on Condor Ferries (£20 foot passenger & £20 Car) from Weymouth or Poole and free campsite fees (just need to bring a tent). There are possibilities that we will secure more sponsorship within the next week so it could even be just the cost of your petrol to the port!!
If you are interested in having a weekend away to Guernsey Fishing and helping us promote this sport then please contact me on rob@outdoorguernsey.co.uk or call on 01481 710258.
http://www.outdoorguernsey.co.uk/
http://www.guernseyfishingguide.com/
Posted under marine conservation & Sea Angling News
10th april 2008
The amount of plastic littering Britain’s beautiful beaches is at its highest level since records began, according to the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) Beachwatch 2007 survey report published today. The MCS Beachwatch 2007 Report shows that plastic litter on our beaches has increased by a staggering 126% since the annual survey began in 1994. Plastic debris now accounts for over 58% of all litter found on UK beaches, including plastic bags and plastic drinks bottles. Plastic-based cigarette butts are also amongst the most frequently encountered litter items.
Sadly, the tide of plastic litter is not just an unsightly blight on Britain’s magnificent coastline. Over 170 species of marine wildlife including seabirds, turtles and whales have been recorded mistaking marine litter for food resulting in starvation, poisoning and fatal stomach blockages. In addition, plastic packaging and discarded fishing nets injure, entangle and drown some of Britain’s favourite marine wildlife, including seals and dolphins.
“The results are truly shocking, in the last 10 years plastic drinks bottles have increased by 67%, plastic bags by 54% and cigarette butts by 44%. Plastics are of particular concern as they could persist in the marine environment for centuries with fatal consequences for marine wildlife,” said Emma Snowden, MCS Litter Projects Coordinator, “The Marine Conservation Society’s Beachwatch volunteers remove tons of litter from beaches, and using the survey data they collect, MCS is raising awareness about this serious situation and the solutions. The plastic litter problem needs to be tackled at all levels, from grassroots through to Government, while industry and retail sectors must acknowledge the need to reduce plastic bag use and packaging”.
The MCS Beachwatch 2007 Report is based on data collected by almost 4,000 volunteers on 354 UK beaches surveyed in mid-September 2007. Volunteers surveyed 168.5km of coast and removed over 346,000 litter items. This latest report identifies four key sources of beach litter - recreational & beach visitors (35.3%), fishing litter (13.7%), sewage related debris/sanitary waste (6.1%) and shipping litter (1.8%). The average density of UK beach litter in the MCS Beachwatch 2007 survey was 2,054 items of litter per kilometre – an average of two items for every metre stretch of beach! While MCS lobbies for a national strategy to tackle this extraordinary volume of rubbish washing up on our beaches, it also encourages individual responsibility for litter disposal.
“Everyone can help prevent some of the most common plastic items littering our beaches and seas by reducing their use,“ Emma Snowden continues, “By taking simple steps such as taking re-usable bags to the supermarket, re-filling plastic bottles with good old-fashioned tap water, and disposing of litter responsibly, including cigarette butts, we can all make a difference”.
The full MCS Beachwatch 2007 results can be downloaded at www.adoptabeach.org.uk. In addition to Beachwatch, MCS also promotes the “Go Plastic Bag Free” initiative and currently has over 70 towns and communities in the UK signed up to the campaign. Information about other MCS litter campaigns, including the highly successful “Don’t Let Go!” campaign which promotes wildlife-friendly use of balloons can be found at www.adoptabeach.org.uk>>further action>>litter campaigns.
MCS is extremely grateful to The Crown Estate for funding the litter projects, and MCS Beachwatch is an excellent example of The Crown Estate and the Marine Conservation Society working together for the eighth consecutive year to raise public awareness of marine pollution and encourage participation at a local level.
Dr Carolyn Heeps, Head of Marine Policy and Sustainable Development at the Crown Estate says, “Beachwatch and its thousands of volunteers continues to highlight the increasing problem of litter on Britain’s beaches. We know that individual action is the answer to a large part of the problem so we hope that everyone will take notice of the Marine Conservation Society’s report and will act responsibly to keep Britain’s beaches beautiful and free of litter.”
The Marine Conservation Society works in cooperation with the Project AWARE Foundation to organise underwater cleanup events. The data from MCS Beachwatch surveys also contributes to the International Coastal Cleanup, involving over 70 countries worldwide, organised by the Ocean Conservancy in the United States. MCS would like to thank all of the volunteers that participated in Beachwatch 2007, without whose hard work and dedication the Beachwatch survey would not be possible
Posted under flamborough head
Dear All
I am currently writing to all those on the liaison group mailing list to
invite you to the forthcoming meeting to be held at 19:30 on the 24th April
2008, at the Bridlington Union Football Club, Dukes Park, Queensgate,
Bridlington.
Please find attached the minutes of the last Fisheries Liaison Group
meeting on the 23 February 2008 and Natural England’s response to the
proposed No Take Zone at Flamborough Head.
The purpose of the meeting is as follows:
To explain Natural England’s comments to you;
To discuss the proposed options identified by Natural England;
Answer any queries you may have.
I hope you are able to attend.
Yours sincerely
(Embedded image moved to file: pic17421.jpg)
Leanne Stockdale
Flamborough Head Project Officer
Town Hall
Bridlington
YO16 4LP
Tel: (01482) 393694
Mob: 07917550878
E-mail: leanne.stockdale@eastriding .
target=”_blank”>gov.uk
Flamborough Head Fisheries Liaison Group Meeting
Present
Phil Arnott, J Burke, C Burke, Callum Cappleman, Steven Cowen, S Daniels, Mike Emmerson, K Espin, P Espin, Mark Ferriby, Robbie Fisher, John Huntley, Gary Hodgson, Glenn Kilpatrick, Paul Lane, Danny Major, David McCandless, Stuart McPherson (Minute taker), Ken Oliver, G. C Pilling, Nigel Proctor, Steve Scaife, Mike Sigsworth, Angie Skelton, Mally Skelton, Leanne Stockdale (Chair), Trisha Tate, George Traves.
Gwyn Davies - Secretary NFSA Yorkshire Division
Leanne Stockdale (LS) (Chair) informed the meeting that two versions of the minutes had been circulated and due to the confusion that these indicated she did not propose to take a vote to endorse them, but would leave them on the file.
LS suggested that someone should take the minutes of the meeting other than the organisers and asked Stuart McPherson (SMcP) NFSA Yorkshire Divisional Representative if he would oblige. SMcP agreed. It was also agreed that the minutes would be prove read and amended as necessary by LS and Gary Hodgson (GH), from the commercial sector.
No formal agenda was circulated but the meeting had been called to remedy the apparent confusion and to try and make progress. LS said that it was unfortunate that she had been ill on the date of the last meeting and had been made aware of the divergence of opinion contained in the two sets of minutes. She hoped that this could be resolved and called upon Robbie Fisher (RF) Natural England to open the meeting.
RF - Natural England are interested in establishing a No Take Zone (NTZ) in the Flamborough Head Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which would be used as a study site to collect baseline data. RF highlighted that this was to be the main area of discussion but asked if there where any other issues/concerns as a result of the last meeting, and that these would also be dealt with in the meeting.
John Huntley (JH) interjected and pointed out that the biggest issue concerning the attendees is what we are actually being asked to discuss?
George Traves, MBE (GT), Chair NESFC said that the attendees needed some direction and information on the definition of an NTZ.
Several other attendees raised points and RF proceeded to “brainstorm” their comments these are outlined as follows (Appendix A details the flipchart notes):
RF consolidated his list and said he would address the following during the meeting:
David McCandless, (DMc) Chief Fishery Officer, NESFC informed the meeting that he was prepared to respond to any questions on NESFC policy.
RF went on to define the Flamborough Head SAC and produced a map showing the boundaries of the area. He also informed the delegates that the area is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for the protection of sea birds during the nesting season and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the sea caves, flora and geology.
The UK Government have a legal duty to ensure that this status is maintained or improved subject to the vagaries of nature. It is accepted that other activities including fishing, walking and earning a living take place within the SAC and providing that does not interfere with the wildlife/habitat, this is OK This legislation is not going to turn the area into an NTZ.
John Burns (JB) - What are you saying, is this only going to be a catch and release area? RF I am just giving you the background at the moment. JH are you saying that the area mapped out there is going to be a NTZ in the future? RF we would like to increase the area of protection but only to an area that is acceptable to the people in this room.
RF then rationalized on the intentions of the November meeting where he had been instructed by his superiors to try and establish the viability of the creation of an NTZ within the SAC. RF had gone away from the last meeting with the impression that the attendees required him to produce something more tangible before progress could be made. He hoped that he could achieve this today where he could take the attendees proposal back for consideration by NE.
RF made the point that if we could not reach a consensus then NE may ‘can’ the project. GKp asked what canning meant, did that mean the end off? RF the future is uncertain, the Marine Bill is on the way and the legislation that this will produce was at present unknown. We have no control over the future but we can take control of local issues. This meeting is doing that and if you agree and we run a project correctly there may be risks, but at least we have control of the risks. There was no conception of NE putting a total ban on Flamborough Head.
DMcC The future is uncertain and it is better to participate in a voluntary scheme and get it established rather than have an area imposed upon us.
JH pointed out that conservation causes displacement and that people’s livelihoods were dependent on the area and the displacement could seriously affect these livelihoods. RF that is why we are sitting here today, to protect these livelihoods. JB there are two boat clubs from Nottingham who have bought caravans and chalets over here and travel 100 miles to get here. If you ban fishing on this coast they will say “Sod Bridlington” and take their money somewhere else. So your proposals are going to damage the local economy.
Steve Cowan (SC) as far as commercial fisherman are concerned half of the North Sea is a NTZ we have two proposed wind farms along this coast which in effect will be NTZs you are just squeezing us out of business. RF there is a cumulative effect that will have to be considered. GH there are so many restrictions which are present but cannot be seen i.e. gas pipelines etc all of which carry restrictions to fishing activity. JH raised the issue that some of the commercial boats are of such a size that if they were displaced offshore they are incapable of carrying out fishing safely so they would be beached.
Mike Emmerson (ME) experience indicates that once a body has power it does not always stop there. Whilst NE generally may be supportive, personnel change is when areas get extended. RF I have already said that I cannot envisage NE going for a total ban on fishing at Flamborough Head especially when fishing is seen as one of the cultural heritages of the area. What we are trying to do is to put in place a number of measures with your agreement and then we can inform DEFRA that Flamborough Head is OK, so that they can advise Brussels. ME you may well be right that if you don’t put one on then you may have one imposed upon you, personally I can’t see how we can win with this one. JH the big threat is that someone new, who does not know what goes on in the area, will bring the changes that my colleague suggests. Perhaps it should be downgraded from an NTZ to a Marine Protected Area (MPA). RF this is a MPA and certain activities are allowed.
JB how can you enforce a NTZ? I go through the area and fish off Scarborough and come back through the area. How can you tell where the fish where caught? DMc the enforcement would have to be localised i.e. stopped and inspected within the box after fishing has been established. The main enforcement would be removing nets from within the area or actual fishing-taking place. GH realistically the enforcement would be of the commercials because we are slow moving. There were several other points raised about enforcement but the bottom line is as stated by DMc i.e. actual evidence of fishing within the NTZ.
Nigel Proctor (NP) what is the driver of this proposal is it resource or habitat protection. If it is resource how do you protect what is a highly migratory and is going to move to another area. If it is habitat how do you quantify what damage is taking place on the site and what is the cause of the damage? RF added this to his “brainstorm” list. PA asked, which activities are damaging?
RF produced a two page draft progression chart (Appendix B) to address his six point schedule (above page 2) RF addressed some of the points under the various headings of the schedule in general terms.
SC raised the issue of monitoring and asked what damage all the people, trampling on the shore side are doing to the area. What monitoring has been done over the two years of discussion? RF accepted that no contract work had been commissioned during that period. SC how long do you intend to carry on before something is done. You are suggesting that protection is needed but you have done nothing to protect it over the past two years. GH suggested that there should have been a control site identified in order to establish the baseline for monitoring. DMc you don’t need to do a lot of pre monitoring because you can start at day one with what is existing and monitor it into the future.
RF agreed and said that if we can agree an area NE would want a year or two of data to analyse.
SC if you cut to the chase you can cut this meeting down by half, tell us what you want. GH you will recall at the last meeting that we did have an agreement from the attendees for a trial area and for what ever reason the offer was rejected. RF responded that the area had not been rejected and he had it mapped out for discussion and perhaps we should address that now. We should start with the small area agreed at the last meeting. GH If you want a small area to start with you will not get the seven bullet points on your draft (Appendix B) in such an area. The previous requirement had stipulated an area that had been trawled and this area was not going to provide any such information. RF that was a misunderstanding and is not a requirement for this project. DMc stated that NESFC had been doing work over the last three years that would assist this aspect and the report would be published in early March. JH suggested that there were large areas of the SAC, which were only accessible from the sea, and this could be studied without affecting anyone. There are areas, which are capable of supplying what you want if you look for them hard enough, without affecting anyone. A length discussion followed considering alternative sites without any definitive objective being reached. RF stated he would like a site on the Northern shore as the prevailing weather would have a variable effect compared with the more sheltered southern aspect.
LS Suggested that we should address specifics rather than go through areas that had already been discussed.
RF then proceeded to draw in the original proposed area from Danes Dyke to Sewerby Steps and asked how far seaward was acceptable. GT suggested 500yards from the Mean Low Water offshore. DMc said that from an enforcement point he would prefer the site to be offshore rather than intertidal. He envisaged great difficulty in enforcing the intertidal area and considered it verged on the impossible due to the activity that occurs in that area. RF suggested that we move the site out and that would then allow shore angling to take place. GH said that the existing proposal caters for the junior shore anglers, the shellfisheries and the salmon nets and again referring back to the last meeting we were given to believe that your requirements included an intertidal area. He then referred to the fact that it had been said earlier in the meeting that enforcement would not be a problem. DMc said with respect to the intertidal zone there was phenomenal activity with people walking dogs etc that would make it impossible to police. SC suggested that RF had his own conception of what was required. We the attendees have offered a site, why don’t you see if that meets the criteria? If you need to amend then we can look at from either from a commercial or RSA perspective and give you an agreed yes or no. RF then considered the area proposed and compared the special construction with advice from the floor. RF suggested that he would hope to get some funding to provide a warden to advise the dog walkers and also to provide signing.
LS suggested that the agreed area if acceptable to all should be the Initial Proposal as contained in RF’s Draft document flow chart. Some discussion then ensued as to whether it would be a Voluntary NTZ or an NESFC Byelaw regulated site. It was agreed that this should be held over for the time being.
The meeting with advice from GT then agreed that to clarify the situation the area would be from the Bridlington Edge of Danes Dyke to a point at Sewerby, close to the outflow but clear of the existing salmon nets, for a distance of 700metres seaward from the cliff base. This was endorsed on RF’s map and is shown in Appendix C and D.
Angie Skelton (AS) said that as we were all in agreement that RF should take the proposal to his Management. If it is not acceptable to them then we should be advised as soon as possible. RF agreed to present a decision within two months. If the decision were in the affirmative, RF and LS would then go to the second step i.e. the broad consultation phase.
SMc requested that RF should address his notes and be in a position to answer the questions in a concise manner when we next met. RF agreed and said that we would have another meeting of the group. RF/LS asked who should be involved in the Broad Consultation it was suggested that a wider circulation was necessary and that the existing group could be expanded. GH said that it was all right expanding it but that the group in the room were representative of the people who would be affected in the area and as the meeting had shown possessed the local knowledge to formulate a concise decision.
GH suggested that there would be major difficulties implementing the project due to lack of funding.
LS said that she would be contacting some individuals to check their contact details and to ascertain if any other person should be included and not to read any ulterior motives into this contact. Also if anyone had any concerns they should contact her and she would try and resolve the issue either her self or through RF.
Views on the best time to hold the meeting were canvassed and it was suggested that an evening meeting would be preferred but not Wednesdays. Both LS and RF thanked the attendees for their time and deliberation.
Meeting closed at 13:10
Appendix A: Flipchart Notes
- Alternative – using existing site
- Identify other areas that are less effected/fished to compare
Who else?
Clarification of proposed site: Bridlington side of Danes Dyke to Sewerby steps 700 meters from cliff bottoms
Management
No extractive activities
Or destructive/detrimental
Tackle shops – use to publicise
—— - NE reclamation
Funding? – Academic institutions
Appendix B: Draft Outline
What?
Natural England would like to establish a small experimental No Take Zone within the Flamborough Head SAC. We would like to work with local groups and individuals to identify if there is an area that is acceptable to current users that can achieve the projects stated aims (see below).
Because of the importance of Flamborough Head to commercial and recreational fishermen Natural England knows that there are social and economic risks that need to be identified and resolved before any proposal can proceed.
Why?
No take zones (NTZs - also known as Highly Protected Marine Reserves) are a type of Marine Protected Area that provide the highest levels of protection for and non-commercial and commercially valuable marine animals. All extractive and damaging activities are excluded (includes fishing, development, aggregate extraction). No Take Zones have been established in many parts of the world and have been shown that they can have benefits in the following areas:
However the degree to which this type of Marine Protected Area will provide these benefits is still are area of debate. We urgently need additional experimental sites to test these theories.
Natural England would like to work with commercial and recreational interests to investigate the possibility of establishing an experimental NTZ within the SAC. However, given the popularity and economic importance of Flamborough we realise that this is a difficult task and a challenging request. We know that some individuals may object out of principle.
Design Criteria - What are we looking for?
Key questions?
Is this an initiative to ban fishing at Flamborough Head through the back door?
NO – The Flamborough Head SAC designation, Management Plan and Heritage Coast all recognise the importance and value of the Flamborough area as an outstanding place for fishing and recreation. This is why Natural England are involving all interested parties from the earliest possible opportunity.
Will this affect my rights to trawl within the site?
NO – The site will be located within the proposed Flamborough Head Prohibited Trawling Zone.
Why is Natural England doing this now?
We want the project to inform the following on going areas of work:
Proposed Project Flow Chart
Appendix C: Boundary of the SAC and the proposed site
Appendix D: A detailed view of the proposed site
England
Dear Liaison Group member,
Proposal to Establish an Experimental No Take Zone within The Flamborough Head Special Are
