FORMER MOST PAGES ARE NOW RUNNING UP TO DATE 25-6-08

CORMORANT EATING OUR FISH-WHATS NEW!!!!! THE European Fishing Tackle Trade Association, EFTTA, have at last backed calls for a Pan-European cormorant management plan - after new research indicated that fish stocks are being depleted by the birds at a rate of 1,000 tonnes a day. At their recent Assembly they saw graphic evidence that an increasing number of colonies of the fish-eating birds were sweeping across Europe at an alarming rate. With more than 1million cormorants established on the continent, each capable of eating half a kilogramme of fish a day, the organisation is concerned that unless effective control measures are put in place, fish stocks could be wiped out in many areas of Europe. Members heard that new figures for the number of breeding birds will be presented to the European Parliament Fisheries Committee later this month (June 26) by Franz Kohl, of the European Anglers Alliance. It is hoped that the evidence will give additional support to the movement for a Pan-European Cormorant Management Plan - being spearheaded by Fisheries Committee member and German MEP, Dr Heinz Kindermann, which is due to be voted on by the Parliament in November. While all the talk is talking place we are still losing our natural stock of fish at an alarming rate from rivers, canals, fenland waterways and stillwaters. I suspect that after a couple of years of more meetings, proposals and inquiries we may just get to see the odd bird or two culled, but for some it will all be much too late to matter.

MASSIVE BARBEL TAKEN FROM THE NENE ONCE again it looks as if local barbel expert Steve Teeson is heading for the record books after bagging yet another 15lb plus barbel from the River Nene not far above Peterborough. On Saturday night he put his hair rigged pellet into mid river but had to wait until first light before the record breaking fish snapped up his bait. Now we all know that there are some big barbel in the lower reaches of the River Nene wouldn’t it be great to see a stocking policy taking place over the next couple of years with say Alwalton a good starting point. The venue looks ideal and the cost would not be that great particularly if the Environment Agency lent a hand to a river in need of a boost.

TACKLEFEST 2008 ROD Licence cheats have been reeled in by the Environment Agency during a licence blitz across the Midlands throughout July. With a massive surge in anglers taking to the waters over the course of the school holidays, the Environment Agency is urging everyone to ensure their licences are up to date. Those who try to avoid purchasing a rod licence face the summer blues with a hefty fine of up to £2,500 and a criminal record. To coincide with the summer break, Environment Agency Bailiffs will be carrying out further licence blitzes across the Midlands fisheries to hook any rod licence cheats. Mr Cooper continued: “So far our officers have visited numerous sites across the region, checking over 1,300 anglers. Thanks to their rigorous checks we can put a stop to those that are trying to damage this sport. The message is clear, buy a licence or pay the penalties”