Club's New Salmon Policy

[Tango]

All CADAC Salmon Members 21st July 2012

Dear Angler

Firstly, I wish to thank those who attended the meeting and for the excellent manner in which you expressed your views – it’s comforting to know that you’re so passionate about the future of the Welsh Dee as a Salmon fishery.

For those who weren’t present I can confirm that we agreed on a proposal which was submitted by the DFA (Dee Fishery Association) for consideration. The details are as follows: -

1) Anglers must return the first fish caught
2) The second may be kept
3) The third must be returned
4) The fourth or any subsequent fish may be kept
5) There will be a 2 fish limit per angler.

This now becomes Club policy and as a CADAC Salmon angler you are required to abide by it. It comes into effect immediately and will be adopted for the remainder of the year and next season. We will obviously keep you informed thereafter.

Having spoken to other Club and Syndicate representatives I would envisage that the vast majority, if not all, such organisations will implement this. If you are a member of other Clubs or Syndicates, we would expect, as a member of CADAC, that you follow this practise on all such other waters. It is essential that you do this; otherwise we all face the very real prospect of Mandatory Catch and Release.

I would point out that this only comes into effect from June 16th. The byelaw of returning all fish up to this date still applies.


Along with this letter you will find enclosed a spreadsheet. This details the results that this new practise will yield. The spreadsheet is based on information (catch returns, release patterns etc) for the whole Dee fishery for the 3 years 2008 – 2010. It outlines the worst possible scenario and assumes that all relevant anglers will keep their second and fourth fish. The far right shaded column shows that the release rate will be 72%. Although it falls slightly short of the 75% required, EAW have agreed to it as the likelihood is that this figure will, in real terms, be improved upon.

I cannot stress the importance of adhering to this policy but I would take this opportunity to assure you that the other key issues effecting Salmon stocks on the River are being and will be addressed in the near future.

As anglers, we have to do our utmost to ensure the future of the Salmon in the Welsh Dee. Adopting the measures outlined herein and taking into account our previous significant monetary contributions to fund the ‘Net Buy-Out’, categorically demonstrates that the Angling fraternity is acting in the best interest of the River and its migratory fish population. In return, it is not therefore unreasonable to expect that the relevant authorities act in a similarly appropriate fashion – this has to be a two way process!

I would, on behalf of the Committee, thank you for your continued support and should you wish to contact me regarding this or any other issue please feel free to do so.


Tight Lines


Iwan




Please use the catch and release thread to discuss this.