Mal Thomas

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.

Hopefully his Tackle has frozen off.

Max, as always we raise the same issues and discuss what they want to deploy. Our issues are always fish stock related and whether commercials are sustainably fishing or depleting stocks until they crash before SIFCA or the MMO decide to act due to crisis. We are sending our agenda items for inclusion in the meeting.

Emails have been sent to initiate more discussions with eminent University Scientists re the Bottom Trawling Activity in the bay. I am hopeful of a good dialogue. Those of you who have been out can you recall seeing any activity by the Trawlers?

Allan, it is in my diary to attend. Are we expecting new staff?

Let’s have some ideas to make it a special meeting. Best jumper is a given, there’s a start. Greg attending on his crutches all mended and throwing them aside. Mince pies and cake for Jim.

That reminds me I have a coffee grinder to bring in

Imagine What You Could Do with £25,000 This Christmas!

Done

No need to hold that donkey forward.😀

This is my first sight of this post, it has driven an intelligent discussion and debate within the Club and no doubt beyond, in turn this generates website posts and stops us all from becoming unmotivated and not having an opinion, whilst of course entertaining Greg's during his rehabilitation. I think you could change the title from Mackerel to a number of fish and Creel the food for fish. You should watch Natural Geographic Tv film on Tuna. Greg, it is worth a watch if you can find it. The Environmental Scientist have done extensive research into fish stocks taking over twenty years around the world especially on valuable and most consumed and over fished. They then inform the fisheries agencies around the world what they consider sustainable quotas, the Agencies and Local Governments around the World then rip up these suggested Quotas and set the tonnage sometimes five times higher to suit the local and worldwide markets to aid them in becoming very rich, whilst they suggest the business is valuable to their local economy. Unfortunately the fish markets and selling of fish has always had a large black market operation which drives owning bigger ships and profiting on greed from a free resource. They have even bought Aircraft to fly over the Seas to spot shoals of fish and direct their fleet towards the fish. This is how twisted it all is, they know it will lead to depleted stocks and no fish to catch in the very near future. But they won't stop because they risk someone else jumping in and profiting on what they see as their free resource, when in fact fish stocks are a world wide economy and should be protected by a World Wide Agency with teeth that actually control the quotas. All these practises and mistakes have been made before with Herring and Cod to name just two, Nova Scotia was built on Cod Stocks until it emptied the waters of Cod. Now the ships are bigger, the search equipment and technology so good very little escapes a deployment of the factory ships nets. Whole shoals are wiped out never to return unless the world unites on fishing. Guess what it is unlikely to happen and on that cheery note I will end.😒

What a bonus fish, I would love to see more in our waters.

On holiday or in our waters?