I really need your support

Stores

Well-known member
Over the past few weeks I've tried to keep the work done by NIFCA in the spotlight. Recently there's been the chance to respond to their consultation document on the new bylaws regarding seagrass and rocky reefs. I've just done so and I believe the number of responses is now.......1.

We need to respond before 5th November but I realise that you would find it really difficult to get up to speed with this or even understand half the things they talk about (I certainly struggle). Here's 2 reasons why you should respond:

- firstly the bylaw aimed at protecting seagrass around Budle Bay is aimed just at anglers, not birdwatchers or tourists or wild fowlers, just you. So what, I hear you say, Budle Bay is not an area I fish. Nor me, but recent reports say that seagrass may be common around Beadnell and Newton and Embleton. How many of you fish there? Soon you might not be able to.

- secondly the area between Coquet Island and St Marys Island is the next possible target with bait collecting bans on the cards. So no crabs or worms, maybe.

The less we do the more Natural England and the RSPB will push us out. Please don't let that happen. I've constructed a generic form that you can copy and paste into an e-mail and send directly to NIFCA. All you need to do is sign it and send it. This is open to both NESA members and guests to the site. I sent mine today and I'm happy to either e-mail it to you or post it so you can read it (it's quite a long rant I must confess). Anyway here goes:

As a user of the NESA website I wish to register my opposition to any measures that will unfairly penalise me as a Recreational Sea Angler, relative to other users of our coastal environment. In particular I would wish to see fair play with regard to seagrass areas, I demand the right to continue to explore under boulder communities and the right to roam in order to fish.

Give it a name and send it to [email protected] (feel free to add to it)

I can't attach mine to a pm so if you drop me your e-mail I'll send it.

Thanks for taking the time. Remember we've only got until 5th November.
 
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Not convinced they'll try to bring this in elsewhere but email sent none the less.

Hugh - IFCAs are all over the country and they're all being squeezed by groups who's political will far exceeds ours. Look on WSF at the C&P section. It's not just us and it'll not just be Budle Bay. Ta for the e-mail.
 
Great idea to share on Facebook Ali, I've shared it on a few groups. :thumbup:

Balls rolling now eh? Thanks to you all who've sent, will send or who've e-mailed me. Not on Facebook but any links can only help. Lets flood them out. Loopy Les reckons there's up to 8,000 of us if we get our act together.
 
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