Meeting with the EA
We met with representatives of EA [Midlands] Fisheries Division on 25th February in Hereford to present our proposals and explore opportunities to continue stocking in English area of Wye catchment. A useful meeting with lots of information provided by EA staff but non committal on their support for or approval of our proposals. The key issue appeared to be the ability to deliver a plan that met their genetic protocol and as a result the relevant parameters of the Habitat Directive. We were advised to expect EA to carry out a review their position on stocking sometime soon! The meeting concluded with an agreement for EA to supply a copy of the relevant protocols allowing a submission by us of an outline plan of our proposals for their consideration. We are now in the process of preparing a draft of this, expected to be complete by mid March. Subsequent to the meeting we were informed EA were indeed carrying out a review of their stocking policy due to be published in a few months.
We still await a formal response to our submission to NRW. A brief telecon has informed us they do not anticipate changing their decision. However we have now formally written to Prof. Peter Matthews [Chairman of NRW Board] and Dr. Emyr Roberts [CEO of NRW] advising them of the situation and whilst awaiting their response have been informed to expect a considered response next week [we 20-March]
