Mal Thomas

A friend of the Club was off the Poole coast today looking for ancient oyster beds or the new buzz word under water features to restore. Would a beam trawler be seen as a destroyer of such a structure, I hope so.

When the report is finished I can forward it on, a couple of standout highlights, Estuarine Survey's in the Solent area over 12 year period has shown a significant decline in all forms of life, especially fish and particularly small fry. All the Rays species are on a steep decline. Bass and Bream are doing well as we know. Conger are at the highest numbers seen for decades.

Nearly missed it, Happy belated birthday.

Hands up all of you who feel a lot better for the warm weather today, I started to think about further boat cleaning and cutting the grass. Roll on warmer brighter days.😁

Same, working. This working lark has got to stop.

Went to Mudeford quay today, it was ugly.

A good day to attack all the green on the decks and roof. I always know I will end up wet even when togged up, so best done in a bit of Sun. A couple of hours with a power washer and some fresh fuel, whilst running the engine with some revs in neutral, Now I need to tackle the mould inside, that’s another job for another day, got to be home for the rugby. Getting jealous of Charlie’s trips now so must do some planning and mechanical checks before a trip.

Thanks to all the committee members for making the effort to come along and one member in particular who is hopefully joining soon us as long as we haven't put him off to take over from Brian's roles. It was a long meeting and yes we did digress a little, but often good dialogue comes up when people relax and give opinions that are very impactful and useful. We do realise that our speakers do uplift what to some may feel a like a "Wheel Tappers and Shunters and Social Club event" if you can remember back that far, style and dated format with us upfront . We will be asking you about that and any feed back you might have to keep you all entertained on your evening trip out. Things that we are going to target and goals. 1. Speakers, the best we can book for you. If you have anybody you think will be interesting, please put them forward. 2. Members giving after meeting talks on some of their own experiences. Say "Engine rebuilds" "BFT" experiences, You tube films etc. A quiz. 3 We are going to be asking you for your feed back on an organised day out for our non boat owners or I really can't face launching members or I just want to share a day out with other members on our own club boats. I know some members have already said they would like that. 4. As you know we need to revue our charity recipient, can you give that some thought before the AGM in April. 5. As we move forward to a new era the Angling Trust becomes more involved with all aspects of sea fishing, fish stocks, the environment and the impact of pollution and predation. We need to think about showing them our support and perhaps more interactions with them. I have made a start with that and awaiting replies. 6. Our website moving forward from its transition to the current up dated version will still have to move on yet further and we are making more plans wit Mark P on that. 7. Social side, the BBQ is returning to the same venue without the rain hopefully. We also wondered if any of you would be interested in a quiz or two, maybe after a meeting or at an away venue. Those suggestions come from Alan G and a few more from AG in the weeks to come. 8. Our catches/photos and reports, we have realised we are not reaching the public and have become a little insular, therefore not promoting our club and fishing areas like we did in the past, we are looking to change that. I have already sent an email to the Sea Angler to see if we can have an editorial piece done on the club, our boats, skippers and fish catches etc to promote us. 9. I will continue to learn and absorb all I can regards the FMP's "Fishery Management Plans" some arrived today and for me a few days reading in small digestible chunks before the yawning begins. Plus cultivating a better relationship with the Angling Trust. 10. Competitions will follow suit from last year, keeping the bream comp and hopefully one more if you approve. That's a quick up date from your Committee, I need to go and have a power knap most of us did not get home until 11.00pm and even then buzzing with ideas and not much sleep. This is your club and your interactions are what keep it going, in the current climate we are doing better than most so we need to keep on going and growing, cheers all.

Same problem

Um, Sector and group, confusing but thanks. Prefer Recreational Sea Angling Group☺️

Oops no it’s not

Not overly prepared or useful

Correcr

Last night I attended perhaps the best on line WRAGS meeting for some years, mainly because we had 2 guests Peter Morgan Angling Trust and Jonathon Brookes MMO. Sarah Birchenough spoke in more detail than ever, (I wonder why?) about their guidelines, statutory obligations and framework they work to. Sarah had prepared and read out a pre written lengthy script very quickly, it went in one ear and out the other for most attending. I got the clear thought then, it is not what she says, it's what she did not say, particularly when she knows who she is addressing and what our concerns are. In my mind I had a new respect for how well she has managed us over the years, a very clever lady. I did ask for a copy of the script that was read out and immediately the reply was I will forward a summary, why when it is written down in front of you I wondered. Our concerns are not being addressed because they do not fit the SIFCA remit, I have said this before but for some reason it was much clearer. Not just my interpretation, they actually have never outrightly said we can't help you. I believe they should have been clearer and then we could have saved years of attendance and discussions in what we believe is our meeting, but in fact it is theirs Chaired by CH. It is their way of full filling their requirements by Government to talk to local clubs and what better way, consulting with us and discussing codes which have no impact on the results. They stand as judge and jury, particularly clear with the Black Bream code. Yes, they needed practical help and why not carry on the charade that we are working together, working together would be more genuine transparency, a copy of their observations from our meetings and our concerns sent to Defra on our behalf with us copied in, that would suggest we are working together. I do not believe that has ever left their office. We need to grow more teeth, we are a push over, probably I am their biggest adversary and out right pain in the neck, but I am easily swept aside. Hence my path has been much wider than the SIFCA and may be I will get some traction, however it is a part time job.

I think there is some mileage in that idea.

Guys and Gals, following last nights well supported and lively meeting, I was informed of some sad news from one of our long standing members, their support and his attendance record at meetings is outstanding. His wife Elizabeth passed away during our break and we send our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Sole Hunter John and his family. I knew his wife well and her longstanding illness was a very challenging time for all of the family. That did not stop her attending BBQS and the odd meeting between times of suffering. Rest in peace Elizabeth. John was a long time carer and expressed a wish to get back to fishing, his passion. He has a place on my boat whenever we can match up. If you have a comfortable place on your boat trip for a long time member please invite John Dunster out.

Any pictures that is probably the biggest undulate for a couple of years, well done on getting out.

Having spent a fair amount of time pestering and questioning different agencies regards sustainable fishing, I am seeing some seeds of change, even support. Now is the time to make even more inclusive effort between all the fishing community. We will be sending out a few letters and the more signatures or backing we can show the greater the effectiveness, please make the effort to support these seeds of change. I know only too well that we have had years of form filling and Surveys, many believing it will likely end up in more sanctions or bag limits and it often has. Now our stakeholder status is finally being recognised especially with the AT who we thought were not ready to take on the RSA cause, seems they are. They also have a seat at the right table. We are standing up for the future of the fishing area we fish for the following generations, nothing here will be short term, it is a long game at Glacial pace.

Max, I totally agree and as I mentioned I have had a reply from the AT Hannah Rudd and she has invited me to have a chat with her with regards to the points raised in my letter to her and also Peter Morgan her rep who visited us at the Club. I am also going to write to the CEO at the AT who released a letter that had our interests covered.

Following our visit to meet the The SIFCA Team last night headed by the CEO Pia Bateman, we have received a letter today from The SIFCA Team signed by all which is a nice touch. I will let other attendees give their verdict on the meeting. I am going to say it was the most positive experience I have had with the SIFCA and just hope that converts into some investigations into sustainable fishing within the Bay's. As stakeholders we have not had any representation at the Top Table where decisions are made, may be that is changing. I am also going to post separately an Angling Trust published letter again from the CEO Jamie Cook December 2025 which was a real surprise to me, it suggests the AT are also moving more into supporting the RSA and they claim they do have a seat at the right table. From being pretty disappointed with any progress to date, I now feel a little more up beat. I seem to be on a role at the moment, I have had a reply from Hannah Rudd following several chases, more to follow when I get time to digest that. Letter - SIFCA.pdf

Thanks for posting, I had just read it. This is the Seminar we attended.

Another possibility is toxic mud, not a nice habitat.

Yes that has not changed

Have been, did not fish. A beautiful steep sided island, inland is well worth a visit, not sure about the basket ride down hill. Timing all important for the flowers. You will enjoy the visit. Btw the fishing is meant to be excellent.

As your Chairman I have been closely involved or keeping in touch with the Health and Welfare of our membership. It is no surprise that we are of an average age when health issues become more prevalent, whether it be joints wearing out or more serious issues. The reason for this post is to invite you and encourage you to use your club site or talk directly with your close friends. A friendly ear or a shared experience or just some good wishes and support can be a positive experience. The mental strain of the Health issues can be as serious as the illness or disability, whilst PRIVACY is VERY important and many would rather keep things that way. Someone may want to share and benefit from a kind word or a shared experience and of course you can Private Message a fellow member for Privacy. I want you, our members to feel that this site is full of caring friends and members who may have experienced something very similar and may be able to sympathise or offer some positive words. Greg recently had some work done on his knee and I know he appreciated the get well soon messages when he was bored due to restrictions on his freedom of movement sat on his sofa recuperating and bored. I hope this post has helped or reassured someone or encouraged them to talk to their doctors or seek help for whatever may be concerning you. Generally, Men are the worst at discussing their concerns and bottling up worries inside. Sharing may be the step forward to dealing with your Concerns. I ask you to Please talk to your friends and listen out for signs that they might like to talk. You are not alone with what ever you are going through, I wish you all good health for the New Year and look forward to seeing you at our February meeting on the 3rd.