Well back off holiday (yes, it was nice) and I find the Sam Harris thread buried on page 4 having had no additional comments made.
Having listened to it a couple of times here are my thoughts, for what they're worth (Sam obviously couldn't get a copy) The quotes are often shortened but I have not altered their flavour, I just can't write quickly enough.
Firstly Sam introduces the topic with a curious choice of words, as though this has sprung up and bitten him on the a**e:
".....Angling 2012 or something along those lines"
Can't understand this and if you're one of our "representatives" Sam, you need to know your stuff!
Secondly these are the quotes from David Mitchell, representing the AT:
"We recognise anglers concerns"....."We are not actively encouraging anglers to take part"..........."We're also not disuading them" ......."We want to give them all the information.....in order to make informed decisions"
With regard to a fishing license he says "We don't know about them specifically"........"There will be restrictions if RSA are seen to be affecting the fish stocks and therefore the catches of the Commercials" He recognises the absurdity of his statement, thereby supporting the opposition to the license.
So, IMHO, the AT has no preference re the 2012 Survey and it opposes the license.
Thirdly we hear from Mike Armstrong from CEFAS (not CEEFas) - the Centre for Environmental, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. When asked if anglers have anything to worry about he evades the question and states that CEFAS "....needs scientific evidence on accurate data" in order to satisfy the demands of Angling 2012. He then goes on that if they don't get the information from anglers...."...they'll need to estimate the Catch and Return figures".........a wonderful thing Science eh?
On MCZs he tells us "...this is our (the anglers) opportunity to influence how the authorities manage them"
With regard to the license we get "..there is no discussion or intention at present. The Minister says so as well"
So CEFAS tells us to take part in the survey or they'll make the figures up, hoping that the possibility of changing our NIFCA's mind will persuade us, even though the MCZ side of it is almost all tied up. Perhaps the two most important words regarding the License are "at present" Only time will tell.
Interestingly Sam's closing comments talked about there being a "lot of concern (in the NE) from anglers from both shore and boat"......no comments on this web site, no bottom lips going, no throwing out of toys, no turning up at meetings, no support for Les' small gang. Think you've got your work cut out Sam, persuading the powers that be that we give a toss up here.
Finally I took this from the CEFAS website
(
Cefas: Recreational sea angling)
The project will also enable the UK to meet the needs of European legislation, which requires EU member states to collect and report data on recreational catches of certain species:
•the EU Control Regulation requires the reporting of recreational catches of stocks subject to recovery plans (charter boats only)
•the EU Data Collection Framework requires the reporting of catches of bass, cod and sharks (covering all forms of recreational fishing from boat and shore).
So as long as all your catches are flatties, wrasse, poodlers or pollack we're alright and the powers can tick meaningless boxes with meaningless ticks, and if in other boxes we state we all stay in the Grand Hotel at weekends and buy top price bait, line etc so providing the local community with millions we might have a chance. Otherwise we may well be doomed, doomed.......
