07/06/2005 - Some of the
most important Welsh rivers from an angling
and conservation perspective are the Afon
Teifi in Ceredigion and the Tywi in Carmarthenshire.
These prolific salmon, sewin (sea trout) and
brown trout rivers attract visitors from all
parts of the UK and further afield and are
designated as special areas of conservation
(SAC's) in the European Habitats Directive.
But Intensive agriculture and issues such
as over-grazing have had an adverse effect
on some parts of the river habitat. Environment
Agency Wales are addressing these issues as
part of the Fishing Wales project.
We have been working with landowners throughout
Wales to improve livestock management and
farming practices near to important fish spawning
streams. Livestock is being kept away from
the riverbanks and vegetation allowed to regenerate,
allowing riverbanks to recover and stabilise.
The river is allowed to return to a much more
natural state, improving the habitat for fish
and producing wider benefits for wildlife,
from invertebrates to otters.
Some of the areas that are already feeling
the benefit of these habitat improvements
are :-
Bargoed Brook. (Newcastle Emlyn)
Lower Afon Duar (Llanybydder)
River Berwyn (Tregaron)
River Dulais (Rhosmaen)
River Cennen (Nr Llandeilo)
River Bran (Llangadog)
Many other schemes have been delivered and
are planned for South Wales river catchments
during 2005. It is hoped that these works
delivered as part of the Fishing Wales project
will safeguard these important spawning areas
for fish. So far more than 50 km of river
in South West Wales alone will have been improved
in this way, with a further 22 km planned
before the end of the year. We are also working
with the Forestry Commission to improve more
than 70 km of river within their holdings,
bringing the total planned improvements to
more than 140 km.
Dave Charlesworth, Sustainable Fisheries
Project Officer, Environment Agency Wales
said: ' These projects are essential to protect
and safeguard important spawning areas for
fish. The funds we have received from the
Welsh Assembly Government have been very important
in enabling us to access Objective 1 EU funding.
Many rivers in Wales have always been prime
game angling destinations and it is great
that we are able protect such valuable assets
to Wales. The momentum generated from the
Fishing Wales projects must be sustained if
we are to realise the benefits, both social
and economical, of a vibrant angling tourism
industry in Wales.'
