Should We Start To Worry Yet?
- Thread starter Stores
- Start date
Ian Alexander
Well-known member
Any more news on this guys? I have just watched the news at this proposed MCZ is now a reality......or have I got it wrong.
I know that they stated anglers would be unaffected but is this still the case? What about collecting bait?
Cheers.
I know that they stated anglers would be unaffected but is this still the case? What about collecting bait?
Cheers.
lead chucker
Well-known member
What do you mean about address will you be persecuted because you live near to the coast?
InCodweTrust
Well-known member
Scallop Boats
Scallop Boats
I think they are referring to the Scallop Boats that drag the bottom to lift the Scallops, they cause untold, and lasting damage, see Whitby forum.
I am sure there are some skippers in the know who could shed some light on this ?
Towed; Crabbers don't drag pots, or Long lines are static..ish, otherwise it would be 'Trolling' and they would lose a lot of gear?
Scallop Boats
I think they are referring to the Scallop Boats that drag the bottom to lift the Scallops, they cause untold, and lasting damage, see Whitby forum.
I am sure there are some skippers in the know who could shed some light on this ?
Towed; Crabbers don't drag pots, or Long lines are static..ish, otherwise it would be 'Trolling' and they would lose a lot of gear?
Hi Dave There is never a quick answer, remember this is no surprise, have a look at post made by me going back years when Net Gain first invited anglers along to discuss this 5 or 6 years ago. I have posted many times and organised meetings going right back to the original Marine Bill before it became the Marine and Coastal Access Act over the potential to licence RSA, held at Newbiggin.
I continue to be involved and do the best I can and have joined NIFCA as a RSA to give our view although I am not a representative as that is not how it works. I am a member of the Angling Trust as is my club, we all try to do our bit. But if RSA do not wake up and see what is happening and keep up to date, well funded and organised collections of like minded people such as MCS, RSPB, Wildlife Trust and so on could unbalance the situation, if we do not collectively put our point of view over. This takes commitment and money, something the other organisations have by the barrel load, so ultimately it is up to us.
The River Aln has been a MCZ for several years and has no management measures currently as it was deemed fit to maintain, this was also the judgement back in the day on Coquet to St Mary, much has changed since then and hand gathering (bait collection) will always be an issue so we need to be vigilant.
NIFCA will come out and give a talk, I have done one for the Odd fellows in Alnwick and will be doing another for a local RSA club they just have to ask.
I continue to be involved and do the best I can and have joined NIFCA as a RSA to give our view although I am not a representative as that is not how it works. I am a member of the Angling Trust as is my club, we all try to do our bit. But if RSA do not wake up and see what is happening and keep up to date, well funded and organised collections of like minded people such as MCS, RSPB, Wildlife Trust and so on could unbalance the situation, if we do not collectively put our point of view over. This takes commitment and money, something the other organisations have by the barrel load, so ultimately it is up to us.
The River Aln has been a MCZ for several years and has no management measures currently as it was deemed fit to maintain, this was also the judgement back in the day on Coquet to St Mary, much has changed since then and hand gathering (bait collection) will always be an issue so we need to be vigilant.
NIFCA will come out and give a talk, I have done one for the Odd fellows in Alnwick and will be doing another for a local RSA club they just have to ask.
Last edited:
g-force
Well-known member
I was reading this yesterday morning:
Coastal zones: UK's protected 'blue belt' expanded - BBC News
Rather typically, seems that there is absolutely no plan yet for the measurements & practices that will be applied to these MCZs. I guess it's up to us all to keep an eye on the situation & like you say, I think we'll need a strong response from anglers along the way so that the likes of RSPB et al don't run rampant with ridiculous demands etc etc.
Gary
Coastal zones: UK's protected 'blue belt' expanded - BBC News
Rather typically, seems that there is absolutely no plan yet for the measurements & practices that will be applied to these MCZs. I guess it's up to us all to keep an eye on the situation & like you say, I think we'll need a strong response from anglers along the way so that the likes of RSPB et al don't run rampant with ridiculous demands etc etc.
Gary
Gary you are so right, Fit to maintain is a good starting point for RSA so leaving rubbish and tackle on beaches and piers, not back filling holes when digging. The argument will always come when we mention money, commercial bait collection v recreational that is what the law hinges on and often the cause of problems, such as teams of commercial diggers from outside of an area, and how can you tell the difference in law between commercial and recreational, very difficult. Remember by being involved we managed to stop the MCZ going down the Estuaries to the tidal limit such as the Coquet, Blythe, Wansbeck, they are separate but many already have designations such as SSSI status.
Just a small update after having read most of the blurb. You may find this interesting. Page 9 Overview of response to the consultation, very interesting.
page 27, Coquet to St Mary.
page 79 list of people who responded, see how many angling clubs you can spot.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...92785/mcz-second-tranche-consult-sum-resp.pdf
For your information, quote.
“The Marine and Coastal Access Act places duties on public authorities regarding achievement of the conservation objectives of an MCZ. DEFRA and delivery partners are working together to ensure that management measures are put in place within 2 years of designation and that measures provide effective protection for designated sites”.
page 27, Coquet to St Mary.
page 79 list of people who responded, see how many angling clubs you can spot.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...92785/mcz-second-tranche-consult-sum-resp.pdf
For your information, quote.
“The Marine and Coastal Access Act places duties on public authorities regarding achievement of the conservation objectives of an MCZ. DEFRA and delivery partners are working together to ensure that management measures are put in place within 2 years of designation and that measures provide effective protection for designated sites”.
Last edited:
Stores
Well-known member
Les, thanks for posting the latest update in the Conservation area. I haven't had a chance to read it all but I do find the Summary document for the proposals in the Northumberland spa frighteningly easy to understand:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...file/492860/northumberland-marine-summary.pdf
Unless I'm reading it wrong this area from just south of Berwick to just north of Blyth now includes everywhere from the high tide mark to 1km out to sea and includes all the river estuaries in the area. There appears to be only one reason to implement these proposals and that is to protect the bird life, nothing to do with sea grass, muddy areas or the ever popular under boulder communities........just bird protection. Quotes I have picked out include:
"The Northumberland Marine pSPA is proposed to protect important areas for breeding seabirds and auk species when they are foraging or performing maintenance behaviours (such as preening, bathing and sleeping)"
"An improved Code of Conduct to help minimise the impacts of recreational activities may need to be developed and is dependent on the outcome of the disturbance monitoring."
"The site will provide benefits for:
waterbirds,
education,
research,
people who value conservation, and
people who watch wildlife."
So while we've been sitting on our hands, allowing Les to run around like a blue arse fly trying to drum up support, the tweeters have been putting in place this document that identifies the habitat and habits of most sea birds ahead of the recreational activites (and the working practices of some afloat) of anyone human. It now goes out to consultation and the only way we have a say in what happens next is to respond. Now is another chance to get your group, or angling club, or kayakers involved. Les is more than happy to meet with groups and bring IFCA members and Natural England representatives who will explain the possible outcomes of future legislation. No response, as has happened over the last how ever many years, and you can't moan if your bait digging areas, or rock ends, or favourite boat marks are taken away from you.
Will go and read some more!! Don't get waking those birds up.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...file/492860/northumberland-marine-summary.pdf
Unless I'm reading it wrong this area from just south of Berwick to just north of Blyth now includes everywhere from the high tide mark to 1km out to sea and includes all the river estuaries in the area. There appears to be only one reason to implement these proposals and that is to protect the bird life, nothing to do with sea grass, muddy areas or the ever popular under boulder communities........just bird protection. Quotes I have picked out include:
"The Northumberland Marine pSPA is proposed to protect important areas for breeding seabirds and auk species when they are foraging or performing maintenance behaviours (such as preening, bathing and sleeping)"
"An improved Code of Conduct to help minimise the impacts of recreational activities may need to be developed and is dependent on the outcome of the disturbance monitoring."
"The site will provide benefits for:
waterbirds,
education,
research,
people who value conservation, and
people who watch wildlife."
So while we've been sitting on our hands, allowing Les to run around like a blue arse fly trying to drum up support, the tweeters have been putting in place this document that identifies the habitat and habits of most sea birds ahead of the recreational activites (and the working practices of some afloat) of anyone human. It now goes out to consultation and the only way we have a say in what happens next is to respond. Now is another chance to get your group, or angling club, or kayakers involved. Les is more than happy to meet with groups and bring IFCA members and Natural England representatives who will explain the possible outcomes of future legislation. No response, as has happened over the last how ever many years, and you can't moan if your bait digging areas, or rock ends, or favourite boat marks are taken away from you.
Will go and read some more!! Don't get waking those birds up.
Proposed SPA
Proposed SPA
Thanks Dave, just for Clarity this is separate from the Coquet to St Mary in other words another proposed protected area that will go on top of the new MCZ and all the other designations we have.
It will go out past the 6 mile limit in some places not 1km . https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...492865/northumberland-marine-boundary-map.pdf
I will be happy to put something together and get these people to talk to us if you want me to.
Proposed SPA
Thanks Dave, just for Clarity this is separate from the Coquet to St Mary in other words another proposed protected area that will go on top of the new MCZ and all the other designations we have.
It will go out past the 6 mile limit in some places not 1km . https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...492865/northumberland-marine-boundary-map.pdf
I will be happy to put something together and get these people to talk to us if you want me to.
Last edited:
Stores
Well-known member
Les I must admit I lose track of the differences between the MCZs and SSSIs and these two new ones so thanks for that.
Well the offer has been made. Enlighten yourself as to the implications of these changes or spend the time arguing among yourselves about the issues. Interestingly it is EU law that is driving this but it is UK based groups that are pushing it in pursuance of their own agenda, probably at our expense.
