Energy and Climate Change CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by Don Metcalfe, Bristol Channel Federation of Sea Anglers (SEV55)
During my 60 years plus association with the waters of the Bristol Channel, an area of outstanding beauty ruled by Nature, has already witnessed two human attempts to control its velocity by taming it for Man’s greed and profit.
A mixture of coastline comprising rugged cliffs, pebble and sandy beaches, estuaries, peninsulas. extensive mud flats, sandbanks, islands and last to materialise human habitation which has led to industrialisation. But it is the Channel waters that change the scenery twice every 24 hours and produce the world’s second highest rise and fall in heights and yield changing speeds of over seven knots on the fortnightly “spring” tides. Because of the carriage of sediments from the many rivers near the terminal ending, many millions of mud/silt lies in suspension and this only terminates near the Somerset/Devon border.
Do not decry the colour of the sea as below the wave’s lives of new world of life as any marine zoologist will confirm, not only of the Fishes and smaller marine creatures but Plants as well. I will not even attempt to discuss the multitude of bird life that congregates within the full estuary.
Now it seems that once again for the third occasion there are a limited few who wish to try, repeatedly try, to dominate Nature by placing a barricade across the estuary under the pretence of providing another source of less-expensive fuel by means of taming the waters with mechanical means such as turbines etc.
Business folk and scientists abounding in degrees, surrounded by computers residing mainly in city offices, ones who hardly appreciate the meaning of fresh air, and who have almost lost the use of good eyesight will contest the coastal folk who know the waters, the tides, the weather over countless years of experience.
I have accumulated a hundred and one stories in this connection but use one small incident. Many years ago in my angling weekly column I discussed the lost of major bait grounds if the then proposed barrage was built which would retain permanent volumes of seawater inside or up-channel.
It was read by two Salisbury scientists who fairly criticised my writings and kindly paid me a visit. I explained the area concerned and how they were obtained just over at low water on the bigger tides. My query was what would happen to these creatures if their present residence was permanently covered by some six feet of saltwater? Acute disappointment came with their reply that these worms would simply move further up the beach, in theory this was acceptable, BUT the ground was now solid carboniferous limestone which would have been seen had a visit been accomplished!
Recreational Sea Angling
The waters of the Bristol Channel including Severn Estuary attract recreational sea anglers from all parts of England and Wales. The coastline offers all methods of this sport participation and for the boat angler, Minehead, Watchet, Burnham-on-Sea, Weston-super-Mare and Portishead are departure points for vessels in excess of six metres from the English side. There are 17 licensed boats available for anglers and many smaller privately-owned craft.
Winter months can provide cod, codling, whiting, pouting; Spring will yield flatfish, rays and dogfish followed by conger, more species of rays, bass, sole, huss, dab, mullet smoothound and mackerel as the most commonly-taken fish. Salmon and Twaite Shad move upstream towards the freshwater and are protected. Silver/green eels (Anguilla Anguilla) are now also protected and may only be netted under licence.
This context only refers to the English waters and these writings are only related to the Bristol Channel Federation of Sea Anglers which comprises 26 Fishing clubs and one Welsh sea angling club (total membership approx. 2,500) and venues, species taken are extracted from the BCFSA records. It has been estimated that there are some 20,000 resident anglers within Somerset, Avon and Glos.
Similar figures would be obtained from the Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers governing the coastline from Swansea to the second Severn Bridge. In addition there will be the holiday anglers.
Where once sea fishing was regarded as a simple affair and as a means of catching something for tea; the present day picture gives the gives rise to a major sport with Government figures of approx. two million, and an expenditure of £538 million (Drew Study 2004). The earlier Nautilus Report (2000) in Wales estimated inshore angling as £ 28.7 million. The Symes Report (2002) estimated that inshore angling was worth £140 million.
The latest DEFRA Report on numbers, value etc. virtually confirms the tables set between 2000–05.
Summary
Any changes within the area would have a disastrous effect on sea life where natural channels would be blocked; a much higher density of sediment which would destroy underwater animal and plant life. ie natural feed. Machinery to control any Barrage would result in unaccountable deaths of adult and mature-breeding fishes. There would be changes in current, direction and speeds of the water. The increased risk if pollution within a proposed Barrage confine where no exit existed which would extend far beyond the risk to fish life. Again natural changes of temperature with the Barrage area with species would be subjected during winter and summer periods.
Finally I have had 52 years of experience in fishing the Bristol Channel—first hand. Add a reasonable scientific knowledge at Bristol University (three years); Practical experience of competence having represented my country and Great Britain for 13 years; Fished in South Africa three x one month; New Zealand two x two months; The Gambia & West Africa 10 years x one month; Kenya nine years x three weeks; Canada four weeks; most of European saltwater.
December 2012