For those who dont know what an EMS is ...its a European marine Site.
Basically a nature reserve set up by the government to conform with EU legislation.
The point is Northumberland has one...and a big one at that. It runs for almost half the distance from BErwick to Newcastle.
There is a fairly strict set of rules for activities in the EMS , and with particular focus for those activities that are identified as being potentially harmfull to the protected sites within the EMS. Its those rules that I have spent the last six months looking at.
For details of the Northumberland EMS including a map take a look at
Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European Marine Site
There are also other conservation areas here in the NE.
The EMS will almost certainly be made into a MArine Protected Area under the proposals within the Marine Bill. Its just that no one has said what a MPA will actually entail in terms of what can and cant be done. Thats where anglers need to be at the table in the discussions to ensure our voice is heard.
After travelling south to meetings along with Loopy from this site it became very clear that the voice of NE anglers would not be given time to speak , or listened to on a serious basis. Its impractical for NE anglers to attend London based meetings from a purely cost point of view. For two of us to attend a 7 hour meeting the cost was well over 200 pound and that does not include hotels ( we stayed with friends)or consideration for lost earnings.
The Northumberland EMS is run by a management group and I have been invited to attend the next meeting...and put the case for anglers. The problem is which hat to wear. I am regional co-ordinator for the SACN and I will be emailing those NE anglers who have joined to seek their comments/suggestions and help in the next few days. The NFSA who have put themselves up as the voice of sea anglers have not made any comment so far but I will be attending their next meeting of the NFSA conservation committee when a date is arrange.
You dont have to be a member of the NFSA to attend this, but its held down south. I anyone wants to come with I have four places in the car and it will be a long day as during the summer I can only spare one day. Yes the meetings are held down south.
Many thanks to those who have sent PM's.Its nice to know that some people feel the same way I do about our fishing.
Cheers
Dave