RECREATIONAL sea anglers will be keen to see how long any announcement will take from the Welsh Assembly Government with regard to oversized vessels that have been allowed to fish with historical rights for many years within the six-mile shore limit in the Bristol Channel.

For many years anglers could be accused of apathy, but on this particular subject the angling public, tackle trade and inshore commercial fishermen have turned out in force to convince the powers that be that such fishing rights have destroyed and continue to destroy some of our most important species.

If the consultation proves successful for the RSA, etc, this would be a victory for common sense, and together with the inshore fisheries groups, a real opportunity will exist to manage the fishery.

The Bristol Channel faces many problems over the next ten years and some of the projects under consideration, either singly or collectively, could prove to be a serious problem. Some of the problems that could be faced are:

A Severn Barrage is back on the Government's agenda.

There are gas power proposals for Swansea Bay.

There are further dredging proposals off Gower whereby a group of firms have revived an application for dredging 10km off Worm's Head to take 27 million tonnes over the next 15 years. Many are convinced that this will seriously affect habitat if allowed to go ahead.

The huge wind farm mid-channel stretching down to nearly Lundy Island.

Fishing-wise, one serious point has to be taken into account: the Moody Marine survey of the Bristol Channel Bass Trawl Fishery showed that the bass stock levels are not sustainable.

Here are a few of the other points that have been discussed over the last three years to bring stocks of many species back to an acceptable level.

While bass are very important, plaice and turbot are in serious danger, mainly due to larger trawlers who have concentrated their efforts within the six-mile limit.

IFG's could possibly discuss the use of no towing gear within the area 0-3 miles.

Bag limits — the Welsh Office (as it was called then) confirmed to South Wales Sea Fisheries that they would have no problem in supporting a bag limit of five bass per day per angler.

Some of the trawling, especially around March time, seems to be concentrated on breeding stocks of bass so there may well be a need to discuss a closed season.

Longlining — larger bass are already in short supply, and though this is a method which is not used extensively, it does account for taking larger bass.

No-take zones — these have been discussed for some time, which may well lead to commercial fishermen and RSA being exempt from certain areas, which in turn would mean no discards.

Nursery areas – do they need to be extended?

Fish minimum sizes.

This all seems quite frightening, but the time has come for the fishery to be managed properly.

lyndon lammas