Broads Angling Strategy Group in despair

Published: 9:10 AM July 3, 2009

Updated: 9:36 PM October 10, 2020

I WOULD like to point out that the Broads Angling Strategy Group (BASG) has not agreed with the Broads Authority over a high season ban for anglers from four prime spots during the high boating season because of disputes at moorings.

The group acts in an advisory capacity and sent a written response to the authority in February 2008 regarding the disputes at moorings. In the summary of the response it clearly states: 'The angling representatives of the BASG consider that a total ban on angling from 24 hour moorings to be unacceptable.'

The authority has brought nothing directly back to BASG meetings since our response and neither has it shown any evidence of acting on and achieving the recommendations proposed.

The Fisheries Action Plan for the Broads executive area of 2003, to which the authority is a partner, states: 'There is scope in the new Broads Plan to address the conflicts, many of which occur in the holiday season. It is vital that angling is not targeted in isolation but is incorporated into a wider management strategy, aimed at all users impacting on the broads.'

This action of the authority at the four spots is considered unreasonable and is an indication of its failure to promote mutual understanding of user needs and to work in partnership to solve management issues.