The Protection of Fisheries and Otter Predation
Donation protected
The damage caused to all fisheries through the predation by Otters has a huge impact on the sport of angling and in which over the last ten years at least, the financial losses and amount of fish taken by otters has grown explosively. There have been many projects to re instate otters to rivers and lakes by Otter rehabilitation groups in partnership with Agencies and local authorities all of whom have failed to consult and discuss the impact that such work would do, especially where otters never existed previously.
Fishery owners are now seeing the impact of this work and where fish stocks are being decimated.
One person, Brian Dodson built a fish farm in North Wales and was granted planning consent. The fish farm was built, along with a number of lakes with the clear future intention of providing Carp for both stocking fisheries across Wales and also his own fishery for anglers to fish for.
The local County Unitary Authority in partnership with others and without consulting Brian Dodson, created Otter holts in the river immediately below his fish farm - contrary to CEFAS regulation and at no time did Environment Agency Wales intercede with advice to its local council body.
As there were no known large predators other than Cormorants. the farm was covered with nets to protect it from Avian bird predation.
Otters soon moved into the area despite the statements of the then Countryside Council For Wales reporting that Otters did not exist in the area.
The fish farms stock was very soon predated upon unknowingly until such a time that the pools obviously devoid of fish life and netting took place to find that all the stock had been taken.
The fishery, its farm all sunk into bankruptcy and an attempt to bring the matter to the courts failed as Brian Dodson represented himself and the Environment Agency brought very impressive legal expertise against the case and it was lost.
Since that event passed. it has been discovered that the Council failed to observe a number of specific legislative matters and after taking further legal advice on this discovery, it has been determined that the case can be reheard and with full and proper legal representation and counsel. The call for funding Brian Dodson is to ensure that his case is now and once again heard fully and legislation brought to bear upon those that acted recklessly.
The case, to be heard in the Birmingham Courts in May 2020 will require the support of every angler and angling club, riparian owner or associations who have been witnessing the damage caused by Otters to help Brian to fund his Legal fees if this case is to be the success we believe it will be.
The outcome for which Brian will be forever grateful for the support received in donations financially will help also to highlight the damage done without consent nor consultation nationally and the courts will be able to bring redress for the damage and losses sustained by Brian and we hope. set a precedent for many other cases to be brought for similar cases of loss before the Courts in the fullness of time.
Fishery owners are now seeing the impact of this work and where fish stocks are being decimated.
One person, Brian Dodson built a fish farm in North Wales and was granted planning consent. The fish farm was built, along with a number of lakes with the clear future intention of providing Carp for both stocking fisheries across Wales and also his own fishery for anglers to fish for.
The local County Unitary Authority in partnership with others and without consulting Brian Dodson, created Otter holts in the river immediately below his fish farm - contrary to CEFAS regulation and at no time did Environment Agency Wales intercede with advice to its local council body.
As there were no known large predators other than Cormorants. the farm was covered with nets to protect it from Avian bird predation.
Otters soon moved into the area despite the statements of the then Countryside Council For Wales reporting that Otters did not exist in the area.
The fish farms stock was very soon predated upon unknowingly until such a time that the pools obviously devoid of fish life and netting took place to find that all the stock had been taken.
The fishery, its farm all sunk into bankruptcy and an attempt to bring the matter to the courts failed as Brian Dodson represented himself and the Environment Agency brought very impressive legal expertise against the case and it was lost.
Since that event passed. it has been discovered that the Council failed to observe a number of specific legislative matters and after taking further legal advice on this discovery, it has been determined that the case can be reheard and with full and proper legal representation and counsel. The call for funding Brian Dodson is to ensure that his case is now and once again heard fully and legislation brought to bear upon those that acted recklessly.
The case, to be heard in the Birmingham Courts in May 2020 will require the support of every angler and angling club, riparian owner or associations who have been witnessing the damage caused by Otters to help Brian to fund his Legal fees if this case is to be the success we believe it will be.
The outcome for which Brian will be forever grateful for the support received in donations financially will help also to highlight the damage done without consent nor consultation nationally and the courts will be able to bring redress for the damage and losses sustained by Brian and we hope. set a precedent for many other cases to be brought for similar cases of loss before the Courts in the fullness of time.
Organizer and beneficiary
Piscean Carp
Organizer
Keith Williams
Beneficiary
