THREE projects to help develop angling opportunities in South West Wales are underway, and there are more to follow say Environment Agency Wales. The first of these projects involves plans to improve facilities in Port Talbot docks, SwanseaEnterprisePark and at Kenfig Pool. The projects are part of the Agency’s local contribution to work in partnerships with community interests to develop and support fisheries in urban areas and are an integral part of its remit to promote angling as a healthy pastime for all. Under its Sustainable Fisheries Programme, sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government, the Agency aims to develop or restore 15 community fisheries in Wales over the next three years. The Agency also aim to introduce more than a thousand new people to angling each year. These projects will be developed in partnership with local angling interests. The Sustainable Fisheries Programme is sponsored by an additional grant in aid of £800,000 from Welsh Assembly Government in recognition of the considerable economic benefit angling brings to the Welsh economy. Environment Agency Wales hopes to increase the available funding for fisheries through attracting Objective One European funding. Port Talbot freshwater docks is a prolific coarse fishery in the heart of the industrial centre. The fishery manager, Dai Morgan has helped enhance other waters in the area by donating fish stocks. Recently the fishery received over 2000 juvenile tench from the Agency’s Calverton fish farm, near Nottingham. The fish will replace the stocks donated and will be a valuable additional species to fish for at the venue. The project in SwanseaEnterprisePark is to help develop two Brynmill Angling Association lakes. It will involve improving access for the disabled as well as the installation of double fishing platforms. To raise interest in the sport the Association recently hosted a “Take a Friend Fishing” event aimed at attracting youngsters and newcomers to angling and it is hoped that these double platforms will facilitate people fishing together, learning from each as well as allowing more formal types of coaching. Kenfig Pool has recently been nominated as a candidate Special Area of Conservation for its clear water and rare water plant community under the European Habitats Directive. The pool is the largest natural lake in South West Wales and is fished by Kenfig Hill and District Angling Association for its coarse fish. Following the designation Countryside Council for Wales and the Agency has contracted an independent fisheries consultant to develop a management plan for the fishery. The plan will seek to determine conservation limits for fish stocks as well as look at other factors influencing fish populations in the pool, without damaging or threatening the special features of the site. More information about these projects is available by writing to: The Sustainable Fisheries Project Manager, Environment Agency Wales, Glan Tawe, 154 St Helen’s Road, Swansea SA1 4DF.
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