28/09/02
 SAA PRESS RELEASE
ANGLERS TO FIGHT NORTH WEST LIVE-BAIT
BAN SAA and its predator
group members, including PAC and the Eel groups, are to challenge the ban on live-baits
and freshwater dead-baits imposed on certain waters, by the North West Region
of the Environment Agency. Solicitor
Simon Jackson has been engaged to seek a Judicial Review through the courts to
attempt to get the ban reversed, and Legal Aid is being sought. Said
Dave Lumb, PAC President, "Pike anglers must not be denied the right to
use freshwater fish baits. The need for this byelaw change must be challenged
at the highest level." SAA's
Phil Hacket, who has considerable experience in this type of proceeding, added
"It is somewhat ironic that the same scientists who blamed the pike anglers
for the reduced numbers of these rare species, are now calling for a cull of fish
eating birds too. Why was this information not put before the Minister? Given
the huge impact cormorants have had on other waters, it could well be that they
are the major factor behind the decline of these rare species. It just shows how
unsafe and unjustified this ban is!" The
ban was imposed on the basis of judgments, which, in the opinion of SAA, could
at best be viewed as ill-considered. Key factors include; - There
is NO evidence to link live bait fishing with the problems being experienced by
the species considered at risk by the NW Region.
- The
Minister, Elliot Morley, did not see all the evidence or objections before making
his decision.
- The impact
of other predators, tourism and reducing water quality in the waters concerned
was not considered.
- The EA
have no plans, or means, to remove the non-indigenous species from the waters
concerned.
The SAA consider,
therefore, that the legislation is discriminatory against predator anglers and
offers no solutions to resolving the pressures the "at risk" species
are under. SAA wants the
EA NW Region to conduct a properly funded program of research and to develop solutions
for the preservation of these rare stocks, which address the key questions and
do not simply target traditional fishing methods. Phil
Hackett, SAA. | 
NEWS