Good meeting last night, around 25 people attendance.
Agenda as below with my notes
1. Attendees and Apologies for Absence.
2. Minutes of Previous ordinary meeting of 18th October 2011
3. Matters arising from meeting of 18th October 2011TAC commented on the river Crane pollution (thinking it was at the last meeting, never mind)
Went through the incident, the clean up which we are waiting for a report on, plus working with other non angling groups towards the rivers future. Discussion went onto other potential problems and why the UK does not have a system like in the US, where execs for a polluter could be jailed. TAC comment was that it would help the jobless total
4. Chairman’s Report
5 Secretary’s Report
6. Angling Trust Update (Mike Heylin)The trust saw 120 applicants for the volunteer bailiff scheme but only 22 confirmed so far. Looking for anyone else who did apply to get in touch. The Lea Valley consortium have effectively folded as know one wanted to take it on, the Trust are overseeing the ring fenced funds etc.
They are in talks with Natural England, predator action group etc about Otters, more to follow I understand.
Most other info is already out in the public domain, so not adding.
7 Martin Salter. ‘My role in Angling Trust’.Martin gave a run through of his new role which has already raising the profile of the Trust. Mentioned the TAC a few times about the Tunnel and a meeting soon with Thames Water where we have been invited along to look at the whole water management of the river. More on that soon.
Drought, Kennet all mentioned.
8 England & Wales Fisheries Group Update (Mike Heylin)
9 Invasive Alien Species Consultation (JC)EU looking very closely at invasive species and pretty much top of the agenda. Mark Owen of the Trust is leading the UK fight in Brussels. Natural England and Otters as mentioned before. RSPB are against any cull of cormorants, and the Trust are talking to them.
Discussion about Red and Grey squirrels and how an poll was done by DEFRA about the Greys and a cull and very high percentage in favour.
Discussion about what is an invasive species and a attendee made a point about the number of Cats being caught in the Thames, at length. TAC commented that we here of very few so unsure just how great the threat is. Comments that it only becomes a threat when it is too late to do anything about them, very true.
EU are looking closely at invasive plants and expect some sort of communication to that effect.
Mike made the point about low flows/oxygen levels this coming summer and how Floating Pennywort is a real danger, good point and now on our agenda.
10 Lower Thames Flood Relief Scheme Update (Barry Russell EA)Thats is all here if you want to read it. The EA have a huge funding gap so is many many years away.
Point made that areas that get affected are the Thames floodplain, so why not just knock down the houses and build them in a safe area?
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/123097.aspx111. Environment Agency Update (Lawrence Talks)General update of the EA Thames region. A few mentions for the TAC and when we add news to our website, thanking us.
Also a huge thanks to Oli and his find of the net at Tedington, a great example of anglers working with the EA. (Well done Oliver L
)
TAC asked if the EA are taking on extra staff to cope with fish rescues this summer if we get no rain. Last autumn they were pulled all over the place. Answer was no but they are nearly fully staffed. Asked about is all the oxygenating equipment available and in order, they test everything in the spring, so good news.
Asked if we can set up a good line of communication between angling clubs/organisations that can be on hand if there are any major low flow issues, this with us is going to be done. I cited the Crane incident and only initially seeing it on twitter as an example of how it can be done much better.
Note that we need to find the areas of Pennywort as they will kill areas of river, waders and rakes time, let us know what you find.
12. Any Other Notified Business.
13. Date & Venue of next meeting
Think thats about it, got home at 11:30pm
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