Should We Start To Worry Yet?

[Stores]

Its there use of words that go over the head of your average Joe! me included....

She seems to be "in the know" regards the outcome David?

"In the know" ?......in a political sense I am a mere novice and can only comment on what I read, like everyone else. What I do know is that all the pressure groups involved in restricting our use of the shoreline have massive financial and political influence and we have none, though numerically we are probably the biggest group. So I don't know the answer but I think that things are stacked against us unless perhaps NIFCA or MMO have a cunning plan.

[mark chip]

begining of the end

Very worrying nrws and thats just the tip of the iceberg the parts that your inforned about ee realy should be very worried its the thin end of the wedge

[Stores]

think their trying to stop inshore netting/dredging mate, rsa won't be affected as it's low negative impact on the marine environment, so they say like

Hope you're right mate and I hope I'm wrong but the bar seems to be being raised all the time and I suspect both the RSPB and the MCS will push for the maximum.

[Mogthemackem]

I remember when these talks were first being held and consultation being sought from us shore anglers and they said it wouldn't affect us but was more for the commercials who make more of an impact on the eco system and fish stocks. Is this a massive U-turn? I hope not. I'm actually up for MCZs as I do feel they have a massive benefit not just for the place they are set but also for the whole eco system as fish will not just sit in these zones, as they have no idea about them obviously, but it will provide a safe nursery for the fish population and also the rest of the food chain to thrive. We just need to hear straight up intentions and not riddles

[Dru]

MCZ's

Just watched Fish fights. and from watching that it's only intrusive forms of fishing that will be band. Rod and line is classed as sustainable so we should be ok

[Davey1970]

Just watched Fish fights. and from watching that it's only intrusive forms of fishing that will be band. Rod and line is classed as sustainable so we should be ok

especially the way you catch eh big lad.

you ok m8

[Ian Alexander]

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.

[lead chucker]

What do you mean about address will you be persecuted because you live near to the coast?

[InCodweTrust]

Scallop Boats

Right - understand the plunders bit and, no, they would never admit to accusing us of being thick whilst continuing to produce reports that are written in a way that mean little to the average angler.

The bottom towed bit refers to the commercials - the crabbers and long liners who may disturb the bottom of the sea and therefore be responsible for untold, or unknown, damage. They too would be affected by these proposals.

For you, and me, it could mean limited or no access to the inter tidal zone.

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?

[loopy]

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.

[g-force]

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

[loopy]

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.

[canman]

Not sure if this has any relavance, but I remember when they tried prosecuting back in the eighties for digging worm at Newton, but a clause was found in the Magna Carta that collection of bait was allowed below the mean low water line, so couldn't stop it.

[loopy]

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/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/492785/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”.

[Stores]

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/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/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.