P-05-809 Proposed New Fishing Bylaws and Failings of NRW

P-05-809 Proposed New Fishing Bylaws and Failings of NRW

Completed

 

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.

 

Title: Fishing Photo

 

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