CFF NEWS SHEET  March 2008

 

The Carmarthenshire Fishermens Federation was founded 35 years ago. CFF now represents the interests of 16 angling associations and private fisheries controlling rights along the river Towy with beats on the Taf, Eastern Cleddau, Gwendraeths, Loughor, Teifi, Usk, Wye, Afan and elsewhere in Wales and England – in excess of 11000  anglers. We are a wholly voluntary organisation , relying entirely on subscriptions and donations for our funding. Our constitution requires us to act as a Board of Conservators for the waters of Carmarthenshire.

 

CFF is a wholly voluntary organisation, making no claim to be ‘a governing body’. We rely entirely on subscriptions and donations for our funding. Much of the workload relates to the fisheries habitat rather than directly to fishing. With no acknowledged statutory powers, our successful influence lies in our diplomacy, and excellent working relationships built up over many years. The spectrum of our lay-expertise has to include every aspect of the river environment, and the many pressures upon it. If we don’t know something, we find out, and will pursue any matter, even by litigation if necessary. Recent, and ongoing issues are too numerous to list, but include:-  road schemes, our hatchery, gravel extraction, river flows, hydro-power, predators - four and two legged - furred, feathered and otherwise.

We are affiliated to the Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA), the Anglers Conservation Association (ACA), the Welsh Salmon and Trout Angling Association (WSTAA), the South & West Wales Wildlife Trust, the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF). And the National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives (NAFAC)  We are actively supported Stopnow.ie in the fight against Irish Drift nets.

CFF is active on many fronts.  We have just bought out  6 of the  9 Towy seine nets.

We are in collaboration with EAW and Carmarthenshire County Council.

Llandeilo Bypass: We met the developers and discussed their scheme options. They are under pressure to squeeze the roadway along side the railway between the town and river .

The National Grid Gas Pipeline: We have held meetings to discuss proposed construction procedures. The biggest danger from siltation was largely avoided.

Liming: There is now work on new initiatives

 

Canoeing: We must be in a position to demonstrate that we have investigated all aspects related to the threat of compulsory access, and if necessary be able to set up a canoe club to be operated strictly under our specifications and rules.

 

 

EU’s Water Framework Directive: Will govern water management in future through 10 ‘River Basin Districts’ in England & Wales. Locally, we are in the Western Wales District which extends from about Bridgend to Clwyd, and managed by a Liaison Group. We are fortunate to have Professor John Stoner representing our interests. Sec will  act a  communicator for John who has also offered to help us with the liming scheme.

 

Gyrodactylus Salaris (GS) a parasite disease  actively affecting wild salmon in Norway pose a permanent threat to our rivers through import on fishing tackle or canoe equipment. There is no cure – any river infected could never be re-opened for salmon. Who is checking that visiting angles or canoeists are  not carrying the parasite?.

  

The Legislation.  The EAW Net Limitation Orders.  The Net and Rod  Fishing Byelaws

 

Atlantic salmon stocks are depressed everywhere and are not meeting spawning targets on most rivers. Sea-trout are declined.  The Irish were forced to ban drift nets under the EU Habitats Regulations – which mean that their river fisheries are also affected. The same overall rules apply in UK.

 

Anglers welcoming the demise of the Irish Drift nets may wish to take heed of the Irish Government's further actions to conserve local stocks of salmon and sea-trout. Sceptics of CFF's promotion of VOLUNTARY Catch & Release should pay particular attention.

 

If we don't conserve our own fisheries - somebody else will. 

 

River Fisheries in Ireland in 2007 wef 1st January.

 

1.  There will be 47 rivers open for rod &line fishing for salmon and sea-trout. No sales of rod caught fish.  Minimum size limit 40 cm = 16 ins

With strict bag limits: 10 fish whole  season.   1 fish 1st Jan  -12th May.  3 fish 13th May – 31st August.  1 fish 31st August – End of season.

Anyone exceeding bag limit may carry on fishing c&r with single barbless hook no worms.

2.  There will be 7 rivers where catch & release only is to be allowed with single barbless hooks - no worms.

3.  There will be 100 rivers closed for salmon and sea-trout fishing. These include the famous Liffey and the Slaney – twinned with the Cleddau under Pembs Rivers Trust.

The details are to be found on  http://www.cfb.ie/fishing_in_ireland/salmon2007.htm

   

 

CFF and EAW’s project, "Supporting Voluntary Catch & Release Prize Draw" was set up to help to encourage more anglers to release fish. C&R is an effective management tool which  enables anglers to continue to fish whilst still protecting the stocks. Anglers that registered their released salmon and large 25 inch sea trout were also entered into an end of season prize draw. An extensive list of reward-prizes include fishing tackle and fishing permits on the prime Tywi and Taf estate and club waters. All anglers releasing fish received limited edition CFF badges, either bronze, silver or gold, according to the number 1,2 or 3  of fish released.

 

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Contact Hon Secretary with any Queries or Constructive Suggestions

Volunteers and especially All Donations most  welcome.

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We always  welcome applications for Membership

Clubs £100. Owners £60  Individuals £15.

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