THE EUROPEAN ANGLERS ALLIANCE
Report from the West Region September 2004


1. Meeting

A meeting of the West Region of EAA took place in the offices of the Salmon & Trout Association, Fishmongers Hall, London on Thursday 2nd September at 2:00 pm. The meeting was attended by Fred Bloot and Jan Willem Wijnstroom, Holland, Tony Williams, UK and John Crudden, Ireland. Apologies were tendered on behalf of Chris Poupard who was tied up on Environment Agency business and Paul Knight who was away on holiday. Disappointment was expressed at the low turnout from both the UK and Ireland. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and agreed.

2. Financial Issues

2.1 Contract of JK Consulting
Details of a new contract with JK Consulting (set out in West Region Report - June 2004) which would deal with all lobbying activities were outlined. The meeting expressed happiness with the terms of the contract. A question arose as to the position of Christianne Beale after the new contract was awarded. It was the view of the meeting that her services should be retained within the EAA structure.

2.2 Office
The meeting was informed that the Board of EAA would be looking at a number of options regarding new office accommodation at the next Board meeting in September. NVVS in Holland and the VDSF in Germany had been approached to avail of the new office facilities for their own lobby work and a contribution sought in return. The meeting was informed that the Board of NVVS would be meeting shortly to formally decide on the request and to anticipate a favourable response. NVVS asked that they allowed view the office accommodation along with the EAA Board.

3. Revising the Statutes of EAA

3.1 Secretary General
The meeting heard details of the proposed changes to the Statutes to allow for the selection of a new position on the Board, that of Secretary General. The Secretary General would have responsibility for all administrative and financial functions of EAA along with directing the operations of JK Consulting. It was the opinion of the meeting that prospective candidates for the position should submit a CV to reflect a proven administrative track record in an angling organisation, in business or in the Public Service. The prospective candidate must also make a declaration of interests. The meeting agreed to recommend to the Board the name of Chris Poupard for nomination for the position of Secretary General at the next General Assembly.


4. New subscription scheme

The meeting discussed at length the latest proposal from the subscriptions review group. It was pointed out that some of the larger countries would pay less than much smaller ones. Some countries could declare a larger membership than at present and actually pay less as a result. The point at which the subscription fee changed from the €0.02 per member to €0.01 per member was not stated. It was the opinion of the meeting that the formula was not fair and equitable and asked the review group to make a new proposal that addressed the transition point possibly with a further band at €0.015.

5. Nomination for President

The meeting heard that the South Region would nominate Bernard Breton for President at the next General Assembly. The meeting decided not to propose anyone from the Region.


6. EAA Strategy

6.1 Web site
The updated web site was not ready as promised for 1st July and it is expected that it will now be ready by 1st October.

6.2 Newsletter
The meeting paid tribute to the excellent production of the last Newsletter. It felt that it is very necessary to have a newsletter when dealing with the EU establishment as it reflects the value and standing of the organisation. The costs associated with production and distribution are high and the Board should look at getting it sponsored. There is also an expectation among some of our national organisations that they can have as many printed copies as they wish however this is not possible with the present financial position. The EAA position is that the Newsletter be made available to the members countries online to print themselves in either of the official languages.


7. RecFish/Recreational Sea Angling Study

The meeting was advised that there were no new developments on the RecFish Project. The tender for the recreational Sea Angling Study had just been published with a value of €200,000. It was the opinion of the meeting that this was not enough to undertake a proper study. It was felt that it would be best for EAA if the study was done by an independent organisation with a proven track record to which EAA would be willing to act as a consultant.


8. Reports from the Region

8.1 Migrating Species
The meeting was informed on the successful NASCO meeting in Iceland in June and the part played by the NGO's in having a root and branch review of the organisation undertaken. As a result a working group was established which would hold its first meeting in early October. A three-person delegation of NGO's is invited to attend. Two of the members will be Chris Poupard and Bjornulf Kristiansen. This meeting was asked to select the third member. John Crudden was proposed and seconded however he declined as he felt he was not sufficiently informed on the subject and he felt that the third NGO should be nominated by the salmon angling bodies in either the UK or Ireland. The meeting accepted this argument. In Ireland the Government has reacted to the serious decline in commercial catches of salmon by introducing restrictions on rod angling to one salmon per person per day during September. This in effect put the blame for the decline at the door of the recreational sector, which has reacted angrily to this. A new campaign has been launched, "Stop salmon driftnets now", which has the support of all the national game angling organisations, the fishery owners and tourism interests.

EAA has been asked for and given its support for the campaign. See www.stopnow.ie There is an expectation that this campaign will finally end the commercial driftnet fishery.

8.2 Rivers Sub-group
NVVS reported its continued disappointment with the manner in which the Board handled the "Rivers vision". The view was expressed that if initiatives were not supported financially it would be the end of the sub-groups. They proposed two options for the publication of the "vision". They ask the Board to find the money to produce it or they publish it themselves and sell it. It was pointed out that option two could pose a serious financial risk for them if nobody bought it. Their preferred option was number one. It was also proposed that the Board should look at the amalgamation of the Rivers group and Migrating Species group as there was considerable overlap. NVVS would cease to undertake the secretarial function of the sub-group at the General Assembly in 2005 and asks the Board to find a replacement country to do it.

8.3 Sea Sub-group
A short report of the Sea-sub-group was read to the meeting. It was decided to defer any discussion on it or the North Sea RAC to the Sea Sub-group meeting the following day to avoid duplicity. The view was expressed that all sub-groups should have a "vision".

8.4 Cormorants
A new INTERCAFE project has been approved under the COST programme. 25 countries have expressed interest in taking part with 11 having signed up. EAA has applied for participation and have been granted observer status. The first meeting takes place in the COST building on 20th/21st September.

8.5 Eels
Holland reported two initiatives to halt the decline of eel. The Dutch Presidency has put it on the agenda of the next Council of Ministers meeting and a national debate takes place in October with the commercial sector. A decision on how to reverse the decline is expected in November. In the UK the Government has introduced a ban on commercial fishing in the Norfolk area. In Ireland a 4-year study has just been concluded. The study found that there was a slight decline over the period however it was not as pronounced as elsewhere in Europe. A number of reasons were put forward for this namely less commercial pressure along with a ban on the catching of elvers. Another reason cited was the longer time period it takes the fish to grow because Irish waters are colder.

8.6 Water Framework Directive
In Holland a joint publication between sport fishing interests, the commercial sector and water interests will shortly be produced. In Ireland the recreational angling sector has not as yet gained consultative status. A big worry is the methods that will be employed to carry out the fish-based assessments. The use of Nordic gill nets will pose a problem. As the evaluation of these methods is still ongoing it might be possible to lobby.


9. National Reports

9.1 Ireland
Ireland proposes to host the General Assembly in 2006. The venue is not yet decided but is likely to be held in either Dublin or Cork. A review of freshwater fisheries has been carried out on behalf of the Government. No decisions will be announced until after an autumn reshuffle of the cabinet. Considerable progress has been made in bringing all national angling bodies together in an Angling Council of Ireland. Office space with secretarial services will soon become available at reasonable cost and it will have financial support from the Sports Council.


10. Issues for the next Board meeting

10.1 Meetings at the General Assembly
The Board must make reasonable time available for the regional and the sub-group meetings at future General Assemblies.

10.2 New EAA Structure
Holland proposes that the Board should look at the creation a new structure to replace the present regional structure. It proposed that it would closely follow the ICES sea areas to be used in the RAC's. The UK proposes a slight variation on this, a combination of sea areas together with River Basin Districts in mainland Europe.


11. Conclusion

A very successful meeting concluded at 16:50. The assistance and hospitality of the Salmon & Trout Association and its staff was very much appreciated.



Report by John Crudden For the West Region EAA

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