P-05-809 Proposed New Fishing Bylaws and Failings of NRW
P-05-809 Proposed New Fishing Bylaws and Failings of NRW
P-05-809 Proposed New
Fishing Bylaws and Failings of NRW
This
petition was submitted by Sian Godbert having collected 1,070 signatures.
Text of Petition
As
a matter of urgency, the Cabinet Minister of the Welsh Assembly investigate the
conduct of the Natural Resources Wales Executive during the consultation
process and recommendation for changes to rod and line fishing bye-laws at the
(NRW) Board Meeting held at Bangor University on the 18th January 2018, before
accepting any proposals to change existing fishing bye-laws.
1. The NRW Executive failed to follow
democratic procedure by refusing the NRW Board members to vote on new proposals
to new fishing Bye-laws by rod and line fishermen. The NRW Executive adopted a
draconian stance and ignored the concerns of, the stakeholders during the
consultation process and NRW full board members at the meeting.
2. The NRW Executive recommended changes to
the Bye-laws to the Welsh Assembly having endorsed at the board meeting that
the proposals will have little, to no effect on reducing Salmon and Sea Trout
stocks within the Inland River catchments throughout Wales.
3. The NRW Executives having recognised “other
issues” contributing to reduction in Salmon and Sea Trout stocks, failed to
prioritise and take action on these “other issues” and have done so, over a
number of decades with no future planning. The NRW Board are therefore in breach
with Section 6 (6) Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and failing to achieve its
objective in reducing risk to Salmon and Sea Trout stock levels in Welsh
Rivers, particularly with:
(a) Pollution prevention, monitoring,
effective enforcement and prosecution.
(b) Wildlife predation monitoring and
recommending proportional controls.
Additional information
4. The NRW Executives at the board meeting
openly accepted that they failed to effectively communicate and adopt a policy
of implementing agreements with stakeholders, who are expected to monitor and
report on behalf of Natural Resources Wales and voluntarily enforce the
proposed changes to bye-laws, which many disagree with.
5. Failed to adopt a strategy, that is
recognised as best practice in other countries, to monitor and accurately risk
access each river and recommending any sanctions on an individual river by
river basis, with relevant stakeholders.
6. NRW board and executives have failed to
follow due care and diligence during the consultation process resulting in a
failing to recognise the importance of how their new bye-laws will adversely
affect:
(a) Recreational angling opportunities,
economic benefit to rural and coastal communities and in conflict to the
Wellbeing of Future Generations Wellbeing Act of 2015.
(b) The good will of stakeholders who have
effectively monitored and protected the natural environment in the absence of
Natural Resources Wales for over a decade and put at risk that continued good
will for future generations.
Status
This petition was considered completed by the
Petitions Committee at its meeting on 17/09/19.
The Committee considered an update and further
correspondence, and agreed to close the petition on the basis that there is
little further action that the Committee could take following the detailed
inquiry into the proposed Byelaws conducted by the Planning Inspectorate, and
the Minister’s decision to confirm the Byelaws.
Full details of the consideration of this petitions
by the committee and related documents can be seen on the Meetings tab above.
It was first considered by the Petitions Committee
on 01/05/2018
Assembly
Constituency and Region
·
Aberconwy
·
North
Wales
Further information
Business type: Petition
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
First published: 20/04/2018