No surprise at the response from Mr Salter which pretty much conformed my own suspicions. Seeing as there has obviously been a fair bit going off behind the scenes already, even though "staff shortages" have held up proceedings apparently, (smiley face on a bloke who came down with the last shower of rain) I would like to see a show of hands from anyone outside the AT ivory towers who knew anything about this? None AT members were asked to enter into a debate over this issue by the AT via their agent Mr Salter and many aired their opinions including me. Now it appears the EA, who have previously gone on record to officially state that there would be no change in the close season until scientific evidence was produced which proved nothing detrimental would happen to the river environment by lifting/altering the rivers close season, are now saying that the current situation is in need of a review? The BIG question is; What has happened in the world of wild fish stocks and wildlife all along our rivers to make the EA think there is a need for a review?? I would like the AT or the EA to explain what has actually changed which has made such a review necessary? Martin Salter might like to tell us all what has changed in this regard?
Call me picky, but does anyone else think that this looks like a done deal and the so called FM debate was just part of a smoke screen? Why absolutely no mention of this until Ray Wood started turning over a few stones to see what what laying beneath them??
It will be interesting, if not highly predictable, to learn who the clubs are that are offering their venues for "trials"? And seeing that the EA has gone on record to state scientific evidence was needed before any change could be made and that particular statement has been rubber stamped by government, is the EA or Mr Salter or anyone inside the AT ivory towers going to tell us who exactly will be carrying out this scientific survey and more importantly, is the cash required to pay for it coming out of my rod license fee?? I pay my license fee for fisheries work NOT for anything that I see as detrimental to wild fish stocks and river fisheries.
Furthermore Mr Salter and the AT, is the EA and the AT going to consult all the wildlife and conservation organisations who also have vested interests in seeing the rivers close season maintained? Are these organisations, who represent millions of their own members, like the RSPB for instance, going to be invited to sit around the table and take part in any scientific research to ascertain if wildlife will be impacted by this exercise?
I see this as a major move towards ostracizing UK angling from the rest of our sporting counterparts who all revere and embrace their close seasons as being of paramount importance for the preservation of their quarry. If we allow this to go forward and reduce our own sport to a pastime where we pursue fish relentlessly allowing them no rest bite at all what does that make us? What other sporting pastime pursues its quarry relentlessly offering it no quarter what so ever?
Shame on the Angling Trust for instigating this. I am so very glad I never wanted to join their ranks or be a part of dragging river angling towards its darkest days.
Regards,
BK.