Due to the Week in Week out program on Land Reform, we have not been invited back to the Welsh Game Fair.
Over the past few years we have been doing a lot of positive work, promoting canoeing and canoeists - Amman Valley Paddlers.
We were told that we were not welcome at the event this year, the Towy Valley Fishing Syndicate(?) stated that if the (!) canoeists go to the game fair, they would pull the fishing displays ( not much of a game fair without fishing).
Of course we are disapointed, especially when you consider how shrewd a move that is. I feel sorry for the hundreds of people that will miss out on canoeing at this years event. Last year we had over 200 people canoeing over the course of the weekend, of all ages from 3 - to a lady of 92.
My sentiments go to the organisers, who were obviously bullied into submission by the Towy Valley Fishing Syndicate(?)
A shameful display of pettiness from the Towy Valley Fishing Syndicate(?). :-(
Read on for official WCA statement-
Official WCA statement -
The Welsh Canoeing Association (WCA) is aware that the “Week in Week Out” Programme that will be shown on the 29th May 2007 by the BCC will generate further attention to the issues surrounding access to and along waters in Wales. The WCA entrusts that the BBC to provide a clear and balanced programme on the subject.
The article entitled “Row simmers over rights to rivers” (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6698843.stm) has been produced by the BBC as precursor to the programme this evening.
It is fair to say that access to water for canoeing is poorly catered for, that negotiated agreements are few and difficult to achieve and for that matter have not delivered in over 50 years of practice.
Anglers and canoeists would seem to be at the forefront of a debate over who has a superior right to the use the water.
Wales and England are the only countries in the world where such arguments are allowed to exist and are perpetuated.
It is the WCA’s submission that portraying the issue as one that centres on canoeing and angling conflict belittles the issue.
The real issue is not about anglers and canoeist at all; it is however possibly convenient to state that is the case if you are looking to devalue the issue or halt positive progress towards an achievable solution.
Put simply the real issue is that there is not a sensible or clear mechanism to achieve access, or manage recreation in or along water for the public in Wales and England.
Access to and along water is an issue for the general public, who are excluded from and do not currently enjoy a right to be in, on, or along side water unless they have permission from the riparian owners in question. The WCA are extremely concerned that issue of inland water access is being pitched as a canoeist v angler debate.
WCA has identified that there is a need for all sports and recreations to use and enjoy water sustainably and productively in harmony with each other and the environment. This is the issue that WCA wishes to highlight, and the outcome the WCA wishes to achieve.
Access agreements have not produced sensible or operational mechanisms for generating access.
It is the submission of the WCA that without a change in approach from Government there will ultimately be a continuation and compounding of the problem. What is going to happen when other sports seek access to rivers, lakes and streams?
Canoeists and the WCA do not seek exclusive use of the water and certainly do not seek to prevent anglers from enjoying their sport.
The Scottish Land Reform Act is a “success model”. This act exemplifies the use of natural resources in harmony, based on reasonable behaviour. This is enshrined in a statutory code of behaviour which protects private rights, the environment and the interests of the public. In contrast to Wales and England, the act makes a presumption in favour of access, rather than tentatively trying to introduce barriers.
In Scotland anglers and canoeists use the same sections of water in harmony and free from conflict; the incomes drawn from angling are undiminished or unaffected and at the same time the opportunity to gain from welcoming modern outdoor pursuits can be harnessed by the tourist industry. Opportunities exist not only for promoting tourism, but for healthy living, education and relaxation irrespective of individual interest.
The WCA is taking the appropriate action to try and make this “success model” a reality and allow all users to get on with their sport and recreation, confident that they do so as of right and in harmony with all users and the environment.
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