5-May-2006 - Anglers
are being invited to have their say on the future
of the River Ribble’s salmon population.
The current Net Limitation Order
for the Ribble salmon and sea trout commercial
net fishery is due to expire in 2007. Before the
Environment Agency applies to renew the order,
it is reviewing its terms to make sure it can
balance the needs of the environment, netsmen
and anglers.
Anglers can put forward their
views on 16 May at an open meeting in Preston
organised by the Environment Agency in conjunction
with the Ribble and Lancashire Fisheries Consultative
Associations. The meeting is taking place at Swallow
Hotel, Samlesbury, at 7.30pm.
The Environment Agency has carried
out an assessment of the current stock status
for the Ribble's salmon population. This revealed
that the current management measures were insufficient
to maintain a sustainable population.
An extended period of consultation
has already taken place with representatives of
the Ribble's rod and net fishery about potential
additional management measures. A package of measures
has now been developed and presented to the North
West's Regional Fisheries Ecology and Recreation
Advisory Committee.
For the rod fishery these include
a proposed two salmon bag limit and a pilot carcass
tagging scheme for the Ribble. While for the net
fishery a reducing net limitation is being proposed.
Andy Brown, Fisheries Team Leader,
said: " Before we make our initial submission
to DEFRA we are seeking the views of a larger
number of the Ribble's salmon anglers. This meeting
is an excellent opportunity for anglers to voice
their opinions about our proposals for managing
the salmon population over the next 10 years."
Net Limitation Orders restrict
the number of net licences the Environment Agency
is able to issue. The current order allows a maximum
of six net licences to be issued for the River
Ribble.
Andy added: "It is our
responsibility to protect and manage salmon stocks
and Net Limitation Orders are just one of the
ways we do that. We have to make sure stocks are
protected, both for conservation reasons and for
the enjoyment of this and future generations."
