Save the Broads

Jon Cook originaly posted this up on the predator forum, however this does affect all who use live and work on and around the broads, irespective of whether you fish solely for pike or not.

Signe the pettition and help save these uniqe habitats.

Anglers have launched a campaign to save some of Britain's most historic pike fisheries, after it was revealed they are under threat from plans to abandon coastal defences which protect parts of the Norfolk Broads.
Proposals to allow the Upper Thurne system to be flooded by the sea have been discussed by the Broads Authority, Natural England and the Evironment Agency.
If they are put into action, the 2,500-strong Pike Anglers Club fears Horsey Mere, Hickling Broad, the Martham Broads and Heigham Sound will be lost forever within a generation.
Whole villages and thousands of acres of farmland will also be flooded or turned into salt marsh.
PAC president Phil Wakeford said: "In 2007, we warned that historically important fisheries and nature reserves were at risk from proposals to cut sea defence budgets. Our worst fears have now been confirmed.
"While the Upper Thurne system is a unique fishery which has produced some of the biggest wild pike ever landed in the world, it also contains internationally-important nature reserves which are of key importance to over-wintering wildfowl.
"A number of villages will also be abandoned if this plan is given the go-ahead. We understand other options, including maintaining sea defences, were also tabled but rejected.
"We have today launched an online petition as the first stage of a campaign to save the Thurne and its broads. We call upon anyone who loves this unique environment to join us in the fight to save it."
Three record pike, each over 40lbs, were landed from the Thurne system, inspiring generations of pike anglers to visit Norfolk.
Pike fishing remains an important revenue earner for the county, along with bird watching.
The Pike Anglers Club has campaigned to protect the pike and pike fishing since it was formed in the Fens 30 years ago. Last year it helped villagers fight a successful campaign to save the Cambridgeshire Lodes.
The petition can be found on the Ten Downing Street website. More information will be posted as we get it on the Save The Broads website.


www.savethebroads.co.uk


http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/savethebroads/

Save the Broads raised in Parliament

Posted: 02 Apr 2008 03:36 PM CDT An MP today asked the Government for assurances it would continue funding sea defences which protect the Norfolk Broads.

But Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb said he was disappointed by its response to a parliamentary question.

The North Norfolk MP raised the issue during Prime Minister's Questions, which was taken by Commons Leader Harriet Harman.

He asked for assurances that defences protecting the Upper Thurne and its Broads would be maintained.

Last week, it emerged proposals to abandon defences had been discussed by Natural England, the Broads Authority and the Environment Agency.

If put into action, the plan would mean Hickling Broad, Horsey Mere, Heigham Sound and the Martham broads would be flooded by the sea.

The Pike Anglers Club has launched a campaign what it describes as some of Britain's most historically-important pike fisheries.

Six villages and thousands of hectares of farmland would also be lost under the proposals.

But Ms Harman stopped short of giving any assurances. Instead, she said ministers were working to ensure "the right way forward".

Documents leaked to the Pike Anglers Club say abandoning the Upper Thurne would send out "the right message" about the severity of climate change and its impact on our coastline.

Mr Lamb, who said he was disappointed at the response, is calling for Environment Minister Hilary Benn to visit Norfolk to see for himself the area which would be affected by the plan.