In respect of recreational fisheries, member states must ensure that such fisheries on their territory and in community waters are conducted in a manner compatible with the objectives and rules of the CFP.   Also, marketing of catches by from recreational fisheries should be prohibited.  At one time it was thought that recreational catches should be included within the totals of the commercial sector catches.   It appears this will not be the case.  Though, recreational anglers will not be left to their own devices as members states will be required to monitor such catches.   Such monitoring will not apply to shore anglers and it does not mean that every angler will be required to complete a log book.

The detailed rules in respect of such sampling will be made clear in due course.  It does appear that there has been a realisation in Europe that there have been too many boats chasing too few fish for several years.

The EU's fishing fleet numbers 88,000 - the second largest in the world - and can fish freely across the European Union catching nearly six million metric tonnes a year.

The South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee which was the local protection body will be no more from 31 March 2010.  It is hoped that the Welsh Assembly Government will undertake a review of bye-laws, last done in 1997, with local anglers and commercial fishermen in mind.

• Bass are felt to be less abundant and smaller in the Bristol Channel than they were in the 1980s, with a marked decline over the past 5 to 10 years.

• There are fewer fish generally. There are fewer large fish, fish over 5lb were common 10 years ago but are now unusual.  The abundance of fish in the 26-32cm range also seem to have fallen.

• The operation of trawlers on the inshore banks has drammatically depleted the stocks in those areas.

• There is concern about the effects of all commercial fishing on bass - mainly trawling but also gill netting.

• Trawling (by one vessel in particular) on inshore banks is carried out in a manner that jeopardises the safety of anglers.  It was reported that this vessel targets aggregations of vessels and tows through them.

• New management methods are felt to be needed, in particular with respect to the legislation that allows trawlers inside the SWSFC District.

• The decline in bass size and abundance has resulted in fewer anglers fishing in the area and has put a least one charer boat out of business.  Reports in the media suggest that a high proportion, up to 65%, of bass may be discarded by trawlers operating in the area.  Dead undersized fish have been seen floating in the sea and washed up on the beach.

• Thornback rays were less abundant, but the abundance of small-eyed rays was relatively stable.

Hopefully, the next few months will see an announcement as to whether the results of the assessment confirm a sustainable fishery or otherwise.

Update

We are still trying to find out what is happening regarding No Take Zones (NTZ), which are supposed to be in place by 2012.  A few months ago there was a local  talk giving by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and it was unclear as to whether there would be a partial or total ban restrictions fishing in the NTZs.   With the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) now involved it is likely that the introduction and location of NTZs will be a political decision and not one based scientific proof.  It now seems that £40k has been given to the environmental group Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) to fund a campaign to promote the need for NTZs and their benefits to Welsh waters to the general public.  It also seems likely that the CCW has given the funds to the MCS.  The Welsh Federation of Fishermen's Associations (WFFA) has objected strongly to the channelling of public money through a statutory advisor to government.  The WFFA is also saying such zones could force many fishermen out of work or put them in danger by forcing them further offshore than is safe for their small boats.

As regards the recreational fishing public the chairman of the local South West Wales Association of Sea Angling Clubs (SWWASAC) Alan Duthie has put it on the agenda for their September meeting and as commented that recreational fisheries seem to be under continual threat from all direction, despite the the efforts of clubs and members using catch and release practises and increasing minimum fish keep sizes.  Fishing clubs have been fighting for many years for the introduction of bag limits and the safe return of all endangered fish species.  They have lobbied for years to have restriction placed on the European beam trawlers that seem to be continually trawling in the Bristol Channel.  The question for all recreational sea anglers and probably the inshore commercial fishermen, will we receive similar public funds to compile our case and where will the funds come from?

The transfer of sea fisheries responsibility from the previous SWSFC to the Welsh Assembly Government has been rather slow, but proposals are starting to emerge.   The Minister for Rural Affairs will now be advised by a Wales Fisheries Advisory Group (WFAG) who in turn are supported by three Inshore Fisheries Groups (IFGs).  The WFAG could be made up of senior representatives from national organisations with the organisation having the seat rather than specific members.  The four main fisheries sectors; 1 commercial sea. 2 recreational sea angling. 3 aquaculture and 4 inland will be represented by their national bodies/associations.  The chairs of the three inshore Fisheries Groups will also sit on the group.

Nature conservation and Marine Environment aspects will be represented by Wales Environment Link, the Countryside Council for Wales, Wales Coastal Maritime Partnership etc. The WFAG will directly advise fisheries unit and the Minister on national, policy developing action plans and setting objectives.  There could possibly be a meeting with the minister to discuss progress against action plans and to set the next objectives.  WFAG will also feed the IFGs on national policy implications.  it is likely that the three inshore fisheries groups will be based on three geographical areas; 1 Bristol Channel. 2 Cardigan Bay. and 4 North of Llyn in North Wales, or similar.

The purpose of the IFGs will be to represent local stand points and deal with local issues.  This would progress to devise management plans which allow for fisheries resources in their area to be exploited in a reasonable manner in line with Assembly's goal of implementing an eco systems approach to fisheries.  The IFGs in conjunction with the fisheries unit will work on legislative matters that it feels need to be implemented locally.  Membership of the three IFGs will be open to all interested parties including local stakeholders, industry associations, environmental groups etc.

This could be the huge breakthrough that the recreational sea angling community has been seeking for for many a year.  Previously sea fishing committees mainly comprised representatives from the commercial fishing sector.

Can we now hope for some urgent progress on our outstanding issues:

• The establishment of a RSA/Commercial helpline which anglers and commercial fishermen can report emergency matters of concern similar to the one operated at present by the Environment Agency.

• Review of bye-laws

• Review of Grandfather Rights

• Clarification of matters relating to No Take Zones

• A study with a view to introducing a minimum size for sea fish as applied to angling

• Detailed discussions on enforcement needs.

Typical, all of this is supposed to happen at a time of recession and extensive Government cutbacks.

Still, all members and other local anglers need to be aware that this is another opportunity for us to become involved in the decision making process,  making our views known and getting them acted upon.

Ref: Lyndon Lammas, angling correspondent, South Wales Evening Post