Sub-Panel:
Activity April to December 2017
The following is an update on the activities of the newly formed R, C and L Sub-panel, which comprises of three individuals, Shaun Nurse (Chair), Lawrence Breakspear and Chris Jones, working jointly as a team.
• Contacts made with various River Trusts on various issues;
• Providing assistance and funding for studies on Rivers Trent, Severn, Teme, Kennet, B.Avon, Colne and Thame;
• Currently looking into projects regarding the decline of the River Teme with Bournemouth University;
• Making ourselves well known to members of both the AT and the EA;
• Using evidence from anglers observation page on FB and the Teme Severn Study, to understand predation and advise PAG;
• Through continuous lobbying persuaded the EA and Severn Rivers Trust into not removing Powick Weir but instead to create a fish pass;
• Passing on best practice and advice to other clubs facing similar issues as Powick Weir, e.g. River Medway;
• Drawn attention to the otter into the open and regenerated the BS lobbying role, absent for a number of years;
• The BS has held a meeting with the AT, at Senior Leadership level, who are reviewing their predation policies;
• The BS regenerated Tim Paisley and the PAG, being thanked publicly for having done so by Tim Paisley as he handed over the Chair of PAG to Tony Gibson;
• Supporting the PAG in the creation of ‘Big Issue Two’ and the production of a film on predation;
• Appointed two Ambassadors in Des Taylor and John Bailey to assist and support the BS in its endeavours;
• Working on a further three projects, which because of confidentiality issues at this moment in time cannot be announced, but which will be fully disclosed during 2018;
• Financially supporting Kings Weir, and the Barbel Action Group, in habitat restoration work up to the sum of £5000;
• Representing the BS in the Barbel Action Group;
• Obtained the support of both the Angling Times and Angling Mail in the plight of the Barbel and in raising the profile of issues now facing the barbel;
• Working with several River Trusts on water abstraction, quality and habitat;
• Actively working and sitting on the AT Freshwater Specimen Angling Group, having presented a working-paper on the issues facing the barbel as a species: water abstraction, quality, habitat and predation;
• Supported numerous clubs through attendance at many AT Regional Forums across the country;
• Represented the BS at the AT and FL AGM.