The Irfon Special area of conservation project

The Passport Scheme
Wye and Usk Foundation
15th October 2015
Passport Schemes
IFM Plymouth 15th October
Dr Stephen Marsh-Smith OBE
Wye and Usk Foundation
This Morning….
• Background: What’s behind
the Passport story…..
• Passport Features
• Benefits
• Where Next?
• About the Foundation (WUF)
Wye and Usk Foundation
• Started 1995; Registered Charity 2000.
• Funded by fishery owners, private and statutory
bodies; National and EU funds. Turnover £22K in 1996,
£2m in 2014.
• Actions to restore sustainability to the fishery and
ecosystem. Project based; 22 FT staff.
- Actions based on best available science.
- Identify and prioritise problems: then correct or
mitigate.
- Work with Partners to deliver actions
- Market improved fisheries to create sustainable jobs
and fund long term management.
Projects Since 1995
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1995 Survey of Fish Access and Habitat, U. Wye
1996 - Fish Pass and Barrier Removal
1998 - Wye Habitat Improvement Project (WHIP)
2000 Net and Putcher Buy Out Severn Estuary
Exploitation Control (Byelaws and C&R)
2002 - pHish - a project to restore the Wye
2004 - Usk Project UP!
2006 - 2 x Lugg and Arrow Projects
2007 - Rural Enterprise Scheme
2007 - Canoe Access
2007 - Giving up the Weed
2008 - Pipeline
2008 - RASP
2009 - Sita Lugg and Arrow
2009 - WFD funding
2009 - EFF, Splash & WFD2 & 3
2010 – ISAC Life +
2010 - Wild Fishing Wales
2010 - Harp, WFD
2011 - Dsepp, Splash
2012 - WHIP2
2012 - MOAT
2012 - PURR1 & 2
2013- SMS 12
2013 - Keeping Rivers Cool
2013 - Splash
2014 - CaBA
2014 - PVF
2015 – UWAG (Abstraction)
2015 – Whip 3, SOS, Aqua Wales, AquaInvade ed
Wye and Usk SAC Catchments
• Wye
- 4,285km2
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Cross border river
Unobstructed main stem
One of the UK’s great natural
rivers, famous fishery
UK’s favourite river (2010)
• Usk
- 1,785km2
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Rich biodiversity
Nationally significant fishery
• Both important suppliers of
Ecosystem Services and both
designated EU Special Areas
of Conservation
Back to Where it all Began..…
• 2000 EAGGF project to restore fish habitats
• WUF seeks Charitable Status
• FMD
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2002 pHISH project
Visit Wales brochure
Hotels
Historic Wye Salmon Fishery………
Rolling 5-year Annual Average Rod Catches for Salmon
High seas netting in 1960s
and 70s
7,000
Wye
6,000
Annual rod catch
Usk
5,000
Severn
Reduction of Wye
net fisheries
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
2000
1990
1980
1970
1960
1950
1940
1930
1920
1910
1900
1890
1880
1870
WUF’s Strategy:
• River Restoration
• Promoting Fishing Tourism (wild trout
fishing)
• Fund Raising
The Wye Passport
The Name........?
River Restoration
Forests and Acid Water
• Winter pH of forest
streams 3.2 to 5.2
• Limestone sand applied
to channels – an interim
solution….
• Enough data to prove
efficacy
• Requires annual dosing
• Does not address flow
and sediment problems
Sand Liming
Estuary Netting
• 1993 ‘Whitefish’ nets banned
• 1996 a Net Limitation Order
closed Wye putchers
• 1998 they were still operating
• 2000 WUF bought out the Usk
drift nets & Goldcliff putchers.
Wye putchers closed
• 2002 WUF formally complained
to the EU about the Irish drift
net fishery
• 2007 Irish Drift nets closed
• 2010 -12 Buy off of Lydney Park
Putchers
And…….
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Farm (Diffuse) Pollution Management
Invasive Weeds 134km…..
Abstraction
Exploitation…..
Passport Development
• Additional Funding Secured:
- Signing up new Fisheries
- Making Ready
- Website
- Booking Office
- Gauges
- Advertising?
- Passport: Production and Distribution
- Communication
- Booking / Credit Card Fees
• Income supporting staff; Owners with extra revenue
Advertising
A. B. from Gloucester, Monday 12 October, 2015
Area: Usk
Beat: Chainbridge (Booking Office), Fishing Type: Salmon, No.
Anglers: 1
My first attempt at salmon fishing, I didn’t expect to be lucky enough
to catch one, which I didn’t. Started at the top of the beat, and
immediately saw a salmon splashing mid river. On one pool an
enormous salmon came out of the water to my right just a few yards
away, totally inspired now!
Saw several other salmon throughout the day obviously picked the
right day. Will be back to try again!
S. G. M. H. S. M. from Cirencester/Swindon, Sunday 11 October, 2015
Area: Middle & Lower Wye
Beat: Fownhope 5 (Booking Office), Fishing Type: Coarse, No. Anglers: 3
A very pleasant day fishing in superb surroundings. We all started off the day
in the woods and further downstream and caught steadily thoughout the
morning using pellet and feeder tactics.
The afternoon was spent fishing the croys in the top field which was alive
with small chub and dace, a good sign for the future. We spotted a fishing
masterclass from a couple of kingfishers which had me putting down my rod
to watch and marvel at. Best barbel was around 9lb ish and best chub 2.5lb.
As usual great service from the booking office. Many thanks.
6 Barbel, 6 Chub, 25 Other
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J. G. from Guildford, Friday 2 October, 2015
Area: Middle & Lower Wye
Beat: Perryhill (Booking Office), Fishing Type: Coarse, No. Anglers: 2
Perfect time of year and ideal weather conditions to explore this beat for the first time. The drive
down the track was simple enough but would think twice about attempting it in wet conditions. To
access the very top of this beat involved a two hour yomp through the woods. We felt like we were
the first people to discover the river when we eventually made it to the waters edge. I can see why
people say its impossible in the summer or treacherous when wet. It was a bright day so we looked
for deeper spots to cast to and had four hard fighting barbel within a couple of hours making the
trek well worth the effort. We slowly made our way down stream taking a few more fish in likely
looking spots. Surprised not to catch any chub in the streamier water. Finally made it back to the
field sections and took more fish from a few of the obvious swims. Its a shame someone has dug
out a swim along this section as that isn't what this beat is about! Keep it wild so the next
adventurer can explore the wild beauty of this beat.
Don't bother with a seat, take a rope instead! You will also need a strong, long handled landing net.
In these conditions a 1 - 2oz lead held bottom and didn't lose any tackle all day which is unusual on
this river. Lots of fish in the river and they were very hungry, all of the standard baits worked. No
need for a feeder as the small amount of groundbait needed can be balled in easily enough.
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If you dont want to contend with a dodgy drive down the track, fields full of playful cattle, deep
mud, long walks and steep banks, then probably best to avoid Perryhill! Thanks to the WUF
10 Barbel
Navigation – another story
• Lower Wye: Public right of
Navigation
• 7% p/a growth with serious
impacts on fisheries
• U/S Hay -no right of
Navigation : Voluntary
Agreements formed
• Financial support from WG,
EA and NRW
Further Developments:
• Wild Stream System
• Upgrade Website
• Expansion outside Wye and Usk
Goals
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Financially Sustainable
Employment
Links
Reconciliation
Boost for Rural Economy
Total sales (£'s) through Fishing Passport by Season
£300,000
Season Rods (Annual)
£250,000
Autumn (Sept-Nov)
Summer (Jun-Aug)
£200,000
Spring (Mar-May)
£150,000
Winter (Jan, Feb & Dec)
£100,000
£50,000
£0
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Telephone vs Online Booking
7000
6000
5000
2811
4000
2494
2294
3706
3783
2014
2015
2877
2737
3000
3003
2000
2591
3327
2484
2489
1000
0
1916
298
2008
673
2009
954
2010
2011
2012
Tel
2013
Booking Fees Oct 2015
5000
4500
4000
3500
2011
3000
2012
2500
2013
2014
2000
2015
1500
1000
500
0
Jan-March
April-June
July-Sept
Oct-Dec
Days Fished Through Passport By Rod Type
12,000
Sea Trout Day Tickets
10,000
Coarse Day Tickets
Rod days
Season Rods (all types except WS)
8,000
Salmon Day Tickets
Trout & Grayling (Wild Streams bookings
& WSPs)
6,000
Trout & Grayling (Booking Office)
4,000
2,000
0
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Pisces Mortui Solum….
…..Cum Flumine Natant!
Thank you for listening
Diolch am Wrando
www.wyeuskfoundation.org