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SAA and its’ predator group members, including PAC and the Eel groups, are to challenge the ban on live-baits and freshwater dead-baits imposed on certain waters, by the North West Region of the Environment Agency. 

Solicitor Simon Jackson has been engaged to seek a Judicial Review through the courts to attempt to get the ban reversed, and Legal Aid is being sought. 

Said Dave Lumb, PAC President, “Pike anglers must not be denied the right to use freshwater fish baits. The need for this byelaw change must be challenged at the highest level.” 

SAA’s Phil Hacket, who has considerable experience in this type of proceeding, added “It is somewhat ironic that the same scientists who blamed the pike anglers for the reduced numbers of these rare species, are now calling for a cull of fish eating birds too. Why was this information not put before the Minister? Given the huge impact cormorants have had on other waters, it could well be that they are the major factor behind the decline of these rare species.  It just shows how unsafe and unjustified this ban is!” 

The ban was imposed on the basis of judgments, which, in the opinion of SAA, could at best be viewed as ill-considered. Key factors include;

• There is NO evidence to link live bait fishing with the problems being experienced by the species considered at risk by the NW Region.
• The Minister, Elliot Morley, did not see all the evidence or objections before making his decision.
• The impact of other predators, tourism and reducing water quality in the waters concerned was not considered.
• The EA have no plans, or means, to remove the non-indigenous species from the waters concerned.

The SAA consider, therefore, that the legislation is discriminatory against predator anglers and offers no solutions to resolving the pressures the “at risk” species are under. 

SAA wants to EA NW Region to conduct a properly funded program of research and to develop solutions for the preservation of these rare stocks, which address the key questions and do not simply target traditional fishing methods. 

Phil Hackett, SAA