deffra meeting

[ryanlee]

what a result in the way anglers from the region actually turned up.
think defra were quite shocked at how many turned up,giving that it wasnt actually advertised other than a few members on here that took the the time to inform anglers,i would like to say a big thankyou and well done to davem, loopy les, and red five,well done lads.think we got our word across to defra,wether they listen is another topic.also a thankyou to all that raised this with other anglers to attend.
my opinion is deffra didnt have a bloody clue what we were on about,or what we actually wanted.did get my say tho.and i asked why should we as recreational sea anglers have to pay for a shore licence to put something right that was caused by overfishing by commercial anglers brought on by the fisheries government,there reply was they now understand it is the commercial angler that has reduced fish stocks throughtout the northseas.
so lets see what they actually do.
lets also see if they take the oportunity raised by a lad to attend a meeting from the tyne down to hartlepool,a very valid point made by the lad.i for one with some of the lads with me will attend that if it ever happens to show support.

[treeboa]

there reply was they now understand it is the commercial angler that has reduced fish stocks throughtout the northseas.

ah right so now they understand the whys, and the who`s, i wonder if they can remember it long enough to take it back and actually do something about it, i could not atend for personal reasons but if they do actually get a meeting with defra in hartlepool i would try to make that

so other than this -important that it is what else was gleaned from the meeting other than posturing by defra

[Red5]

Nice to meet you last night Ryan. Always good to put names to faces. As you say it was great to see a show of support from so many, with the reps from DEFRA stating that this was the biggest turnout they'd had, I estimated around 100.
Also well done to the lads from South of the Tyne who at such short notice had made the journey up and considering they were representing in some cases 600 club members, DEFRA will get an even bigger shock if they do take the offer up to visit them.
Treeboa, the majority of the points raised, tended to focus on the licence and why it was deemed by anglers as unfair and just another tax.
A very valid point was raised by an Amble fisherman who had surveyed all the clubs catches in the NE and stated that only around 6,000lb of fish had been weighed in over the season which equated to less than a single trawl.
I asked how they could make promises of more and bigger fish when we were part of the EU and tied into the CFP's qouta system which is the main cause of the lack of fish. It would mean coming out of Europe if they were going to follow through on their promise.
Other questions from anglers were did they realise how many people would leave the sport and what that would do for HM revenue.
Why had the consultation been so badly promoted with very few Sea Anglers being aware of it as well as tackle shops and other businesses it would affect.
Why couldn't no trawl zones be introduced to 12 miles out as had been done between Flamborugh head and Spurn point which is beginning to reap more fish for anglers.
The reps from DEFRA were also asked if they'd ever picked up a rod and spent some time on a North East beach when it's blowing a hooley to which they replied 'no', to which they were asked, how can you know anything about fishing then?
They seemed to have very few valid replies to all the questions asked and I think they were probably surprised at how informed many questions were.
Also interesting to hear the SFC lads say how they are constrained by budget and structure, only working from 8.30am till 4.30pm. Bit like having a part time police station and only being able to report crimes during office hours.
Lets hope everyone left last night, spoke to as many of their mates as possible, told them to go to DEFRA's website and reply to the consultation

[The Great Wallsendo]

Sounds like a productive evening - insofar that the men in suits got a wake up call about the number of "real people" opposed to the scheme...seems like DEFRA were expecting inarticulate northerners in flat caps and actually got the opposite

Congrats to those who were able to turn up and get their point across

[matchman]

I've just spoke to a friend who was at the meeting last night and was not given the opportunity to put his point across! He said the first hour of the meeting was taken up by a discussion about mussels on the shoreline (totally irrelevant to sea angling licence...), and the meeting was closed around 9.30 ish...?

Am I right in believing there were no minutes of the meeting taken? If this is true its ridiculous - surely someone has a record of Q's asked with replies?

If someone has a list of minutes and Q and A's - could they forward them to me please - I feel I should inform sea anglers around the country through Sea Angler magazine what is happening at these meetings with DEFRA....

[loopy]

Matchman I am sorry you were not at the meeting last night to get the facts for yourself. I chaired the meeting and introduced the Northumberland SFC officer who gave a 25 minute introduction to their role and by-laws on the Nortumbrian coast many of which are different to those in the North East SFC who have jurisdiction south of the Tyne if you have read the Marine Bill white paper and the RSA Strategy document you would now the relevance of Mussel collection along with other baits, this was all about Lindasfarne our source of mussel for bait up here and the possible introductions of Marine protected area's on top of the SSSI and other such designated sites such as Budle Bay. I then left the floor open to questions, The NSFC rep answered the one.
DEFRA then started at 8pm and gave a brief introduction to the RSA strategy aided by a power point presentation, this lasted until just gone 8.30. I then opened the floor to questions every body was given a chance and I stated I would keep it going as long as question kept coming after announcing at 9.35 there would be no more questions despite this I kept on giving people the opportunity to speak until no one put up there hand . The meeting was then left open to discussion with DEFRA on a one to one basis, Many people used this opportunity until 10.40pm when the last person left, DEFRA,DaveM Red5 and I were the last to leave the building. I am sorry your friend did not have an opportunity to speak and apologies if I did not see his hand in the air bur I am sure he could of collected some of the literature DEFRA had on offer along with there contact details and had a one to one discussion with them.
The Marine Bill and the subsequent RSA strategy is not all about paying a licence, that is only a very small part and one in my opinion will not happen for many many years although the legislation may be put in place. The present government have had the power for some time to charge commercials a licence feet but have never had the will to do so, I believe this will be the case with RSA, what we need them to do is to get on top of netting and discards, net design and enforcement. If the Drew report means anything it means potentially we have power in the RSA sector.

[matchman]

Thanks for the reply Loopy, appreciate that...unfortunately as I work in Peterborough, but live in Sunderland, I was unable to attend...
I can only say what my mate told me on the phone today, and he was frustrated to say the least!
Fully understand about the collection of mussel's, but if a licence is introduced, and anglers drop out of the sport or decide not to pay a licence fee - then I'm sure you'll agree, the humble population of mussel's will be safe - as no one will be collecting them!
Jobs in the angling/tackle trade are for more important in my opinion...
Getting back to the meeting - is there no record of questions asked and DEFRA's answers?
If not - why not? If this meeting was deemed important to all recreational sea anglers, then surely there should be some record of it?

[Red5]

Matchman,

I took some notes to do a write up for our local paper up here, general notes of how many present, the officals present from DEFRA and SFC's. I also took notes of the questions that were relevant. The trouble with DEFRA's replies were that they were basically non existant. As I said most related to the licence and from their body language I could tell they were uncomfortable and seemed to understand the depth of feeling that anglers have re:licencisng and every response was along the lines of 'well it's only a proposal, nothing is set in stone' and 'we want your opinions. If we are giong wrong with this then tell us'.

I think what is important is that there is better communication from all involved in angling, wether that is individual anglers, tackle shops, clubs and manufacturers and that we all respond to the consultation and if we know someone who hasn't then ask them why?

I understand there were frustrations of anglers in the South re: the meeting being held up north, and I am so glad that there was some fantastic representation from clubs in Ryhope, Seaham, Easington etc and some very relevant questions put forward by those that in some cases represent 600 members....But. As far as I can gather this was an informal meeting, brought about by an idea that a few anglers had to try and get as many anglers as possible together to discuss the consultation. It was discussed on here and support was sought from individuals to try and get something together. There was no reason why another meeting couldn't have been held South of the Tyne. According to the DEFRA reps, the only other places they have visited are Devon, Portsmouth, Felixtowe and Blackpool. It's disappointing to think that anglers all the way down the East coast have been so far been missed out and many other places along the West coast.

I know Loopy took some notes also so PM him for details

[loopy]

Matchman if you read the Drew report you will see that the government realize how much the RSA sector has to offer in terms of the tackle trade along with private charter and the tourist industry the jobs and revenue it generates. This is the whole point of this Strategy, I believe they will not cut of the arm that feeds them. They know they got it wrong even mentioning the word licence fee as it has distracted all from the point. Look at the Skate that has been caught and re tagged 6 times by a RSA charter skipper, the fish is worth about £25 dead at market, the RSA skipper has earned in excess of £6000 out of that one fish. The Drew reports that Some RSA area's are Worth more than the local commercial fleet. If they can make it better and that is a big if, that is adjust the commercial sector and the jobs and ancillary trades associated they can make RSA grow along with the associated tackle trade therefore take more revenue from a growth area and then throw in the licence fee. The meeting last night was an informative meeting and not a formal minuted affair, however one of us took notes for our local press of the relevant questions and answers and I also am also awaiting a copy of the Q&A as recorded by DEFRA hopefully I can pick them up next week in Westminster when I will attend a meeting with Natural England over Marine Protected Area's as you would know they have failed twice recently to introduce two such area's due to pressure from local RSA. Lets see what they have to say. If you wish to speak please PM me and I will be happy to have a chat and give you my home number.

[matchman]

Thanks ever so much Red 5 and Loopy for that in depth description of what took place.
Loopy, I would very much like more info and if you like you can email me at

paul.fenech@emap.com

or you can write to me at

Sea Angler Magazine
Bushfield House
Orton Centre
Peterborough
PE2 5UW

and my direct line is

01733 465638

Once again many thanks.