2 1. INTRODUCTION the National Salmon Strategy, Launched by The

The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

1. INTRODUCTION The National Salmon Strategy, launched by the National Rivers Authority in February 1996 and inherited by the Environment Agency (NRA, 1996) sets out four objectives for the management of salmon fisheries in England and Wales:

1) Optimise the number of salmon returning to home water fisheries. 2) Maintain and improve fitness and diversity of salmon stocks. 3) Optimise the total economic value of surplus stocks. 4) Ensure beneficiaries meet necessary costs.

These objectives are designed to preserve fish stocks for the future whilst protecting sustainable exploitation and recognising the economic value of the fisheries.

A basic principle of the Strategy is that it will be delivered locally following consultation with local interest groups. Consequently, Salmon Action Plans (SAPs) will be produced for each of the “principal salmon rivers” in England and Wales by the year 2002. On the Nevern this process started during 2001 with the production of the Nevern SAP Consultation Document. The Nevern SAP Consultation Document:

• Set a conservation limit for the river • Identified the factors affecting the salmon population. • Suggested methods of addressing these limiting factors and • Invited feedback from local stakeholders and interest groups

The SAP itself sets out clearly what is required to be done in the next five years or so, how it is to be achieved, who is to be involved, when it will be delivered and how much it will cost. An important element of this Action Plan is that it reflects the feedback received during consultation. Moreover, the SAP will be the means of monitoring progress and reviewing the approaches of salmon management on the Nevern.

The Nevern Salmon Action Plan is the sixth in a series of 8 plans to be produced under Ministerial Directive for what are considered to be the main salmon rivers in South West Wales. Other rivers for which Salmon Action Plans are being produced are the Tywi, the Teifi, the Taf, the Cleddaus, the Tawe, the Rheidol and the Ogmore.

2. BACKGROUND The Atlantic salmon has been declining throughout its range and this is believed to be largely due to cyclical factors impacting on fish during their time at sea. There is little that can be done to directly influence these factors. However, it is possible to address some of the problems facing salmon during the freshwater phase of their lifecycle. It is these latter elements that the SAP concentrates upon, with actions falling into three main categories:

• Measures to increase the number of spawners by reducing legal and illegal exploitation (e.g. Byelaws) • Measures to improve environmental factors (water quality issues and sustainable land use) • Measures to improve salmon production (in stream habitat improvements and accessibility).

The Nevern catchment supports a locally important salmon and sea trout (sewin) fishery. Sea trout are the predominant salmonid in the catchment, though a reasonable number of salmon are also present. The 2001 reported salmon rod catch of 30 from the Nevern ranked 17th out of 33 salmon rivers in Wales and 45th out of 75 salmon rivers in England and Wales, whilst the reported sea trout catch of 1078 ranked 7th out of 43 sea trout rivers in Wales and 13 out of 105 sea trout rivers in England and Wales. 2 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

The majority of the catchment is within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Headwaters of several tributaries including the Brynberian, drain from Mynydd Preseli Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), part of Preseli candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) and a site of European importance for conservation. The area is also of archaeological importance with many sites designated as Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs).

The reported rod catches show considerable annual variation, Figure 3 details the reported salmon catches from 1961 to 2001. Catches peaked in the early and mid-sixties, early seventy, late eighties and mid nineties. No fish were reported during 1970 and 1974. Since 1976 catches have been relatively stable, with between 10 and 40 fish reported. However, exceptions are 1992, associated with a poor national licence return rate, and 1994 and 1995 when reported catches were two of the highest on record. Overall since 1975 when a national licence return system was introduced the trend has shown a slight increase in catches with recent levelling off during the late nineties.

Figure 1. River Nevern reported rod catch 1961 to 2001.

70 pre June post June Total catch 5 yr mean

50 n 40

20 Number of salmo 10

0 1961 1963 1965 1967 1969 1971 1973 1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 Year

Figure 2. Reported seine net catch 1978 to 2001 180 160 Pos t June n 140 Pr e June 120 5 year mean 100 80 60

Number of salmo 40 20 0 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year

3 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

The net fishery reported large numbers of salmon in the late seventies and early eighties, with a particularly high reported catch in 1979. Since that time catches have dropped off to relatively low levels. Effort has been reduced in recent times with the number of available licences being reduced from 2 to 1 in 1985. No salmon have been reported by the net fishery since 1998. However, no net licences were taken out on the Nevern in 2001.

Sea trout constitute a far greater proportion of the reported annual rod and net catch than salmon. Since 1978, the mean sea trout rod catch has been significantly higher the the salmon catch. For the net fishery the difference is less defined with a mean ratio of 3 sea trout for each salmon; however, in some years salmon have been reported higher in number than sea trout.

The reported sea-trout catch returns show that the rod fishery has consistently exploited the largest proportion of the sea trout stock (mean of 14 fold from 1977). The only exception was 1979 when the net fishery reported a slightly larger number than the rod fishery. Figure 3. Reported sea trout catches from rod and net fisheries 1977 to 2001.

1400 Rod Net 5 year mean 1200

1000

800

600

400 Number of sea trout 200

0 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year

Reported sea trout catches for the rod fishery have shown an overall increase since 1972. Notable peak catches occurred during 1988, 1994, 1998,1999 and 2001. The highest reported catch occurred in 1994 when 1182 fish were declared. The most recent above average catches have maintained the upward long-term trend. However, catches have tended to fluctuate around a 5- year cycle, with a series of lower than average catches punctuating the peaks. The most notable decline was in the early 1990s. Nevertheless, the reported catches are very high, when one considers the size of the catchment. This shows the highly productive nature of the catchment.

In contrast, declared catches of sea trout by the net fishery are less consistent, with several years when no fish were reported caught. The nature of the data tends to preclude any meaningful trend, though less fish have been reported in recent years than were in the period from the late 1970s to the mid 1980s. The highest declared catch was 149 fish in 1984.

The observed variations in catches are dependent on a range of extrinsic factors, such as river flow and fishing effort, but may also reflect cyclical variation in stock performance. The increase of catches from the 1970s to 1990s may reflect an increase in fishing effort and improvement in techniques. Whilst a decline of catches in the late 1980s and early 1990s are likely to have been influenced by successive drought years, which occurred over this period. In addition, exceptionally low reporting rates occurred in 1992 because of a combined national coarse and salmonid licence.

4 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

3. CURRENT ACTIVITIES

A considerable amount of work has already been carried out to protect and improve salmon stocks within the Nevern catchment. The work carried out in recent years includes the following:

• During 2002 the Agency carried out an investigative study looking at the Duad sub-catchment. A major factor influencing under-utilisation of the Duad by salmon was determined to be the physical nature of the tributary. Recorded widths in all but the lower 2km were near to or less than ranges accepted in literature as suitable for salmon spawning. Status of riparian fencing and bankside habitat degradation was found to be generally poor on all but the Nant Hafren side of the Nant Duad catchment, and substantial siltation of gravels was evident. The extent of farm pollution was generally determined to have just mild effects on invertebrate fauna as a result of minor organic input. There were, however, obvious localised effects on certain sites and recommendations were made for their amelioration. Certain areas were also prioritised for targeted habitat improvements, notably areas where riparian fencing status could be improved.

• The water quality of the Nevern is monitored on the monthly basis by the Agency. Certain sites on the Nevern are also monitored for sheep dip. Results are generally good throughout the catchment, but very much indicative of the agricultural nature of the catchment.

• The Environment Agency has promoted amendments to local byelaws to shorten the season for salmon and sea trout, thus limiting exploitation. A set of National byelaws was also passed during 1999, designed to allow increased spawning escapement of declining spring salmon through mandatory catch and release of salomn before June 16.

• The Nevern Angling Association has been working to reduce the levels of exploitation by the use of voluntary take limits. Restrictions are also imposed on fishing of main spawning areas after the 30th of September to help reduce exploitation.

• Nevern A.A. has also been maintaining access to spawning areas by the un-blocking of instream obstructions. This work has been carried out by the members of the angling association.

• Electric fishing surveys have been undertaken annually by the Environment Agency since 1985, as part of the Welsh Regional Juvenile Salmonid Monitoring Programme (RJSMP), to monitor the status of juvenile salmonid populations. 11 sites were surveyed on the Nevern during 1991, and 9 sites were surveyed during 1996. As a result of the Environment Agency’s recent monitoring review 21 sites on the Nevern are now to be included in the RJSMP programme. This will include 2 quantitative surveys to be surveyed annually and 19 semi- quantatative surveys to be surveyed on a 5 year rolling programme.

• The Agency has assisted Nevern Anglers with an annual sea trout stocking programme, since 1998. Approximately 10,000 ova were collected during 1998 and 1999, 3,400 of these were stocked as smolts and the rest as un-fed fry during 2000. In addition, 3450 smolts were stocked in April 2001. All fish have been micro-tagged with clipped adipose fins, with the exception of those stocked in 2001, which was not possible because of foot and mouth restrictions. To date no tags have been returned.

5 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

4. ASSESSMENT OF STOCK PERFORMANCE

Underpinning the Action Plan is the derivation of a conservation limit (CL for the river. The CL is the estimated threshold value for egg deposition, which will allow sufficient deposition to utilise available juvenile habitat within the catchment whilst maintaining current exploitation rates. The CL will provide an objective standard against which to assess the long term sustainability of the fishery it supports. This approach enables the annual egg deposition estimate for the river to be measured against the CL to quantify ”performance”. It should be remembered that the science behind these targets is evolving and it is possible that improvements to our knowledge will enable further refinement of targets or our assessment of target compliance in the future.

The setting of objectively derived minimum acceptable spawning levels for Atlantic Salmon is now being actively promoted by the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO), and has been used successfully in North America for several years.

The CL for the Nevern was based on an estimate of 206,830 m2 of accessible stream area, which equates to an annual egg deposition 655,980 eggs (317 per 100m2). On average, a spawning escapement of 229 salmon will ensure that the CL is achieved.

In assessing performance against the CL, annual rod catches coupled with extant exploitation rates have been used. The trend in egg deposition inevitably reflects the rod catch figures (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Nevern egg deposition 1986 to 2001.

1,200,000

1,000,000 Eggs 1SW Eggs MSW Target

800,000

600,000

400,000 Number of eggs

200,000

0 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Year Note: Indicates conservation limit failure episodes.

Compliance is assessed by examining performance in blocks of three years, and by use of two rules which describe compliance failure. These are:

Rule a. Episodes may last no longer than two years and

Rule b. A clear gap between episodes should be at least two years.

The sequence of egg shortfall or surplus in each three year block determines whether a “pass”, “failure” or “near miss” has occurred. Figure 4 shows the estimated egg deposition for the Nevern from 1986 to 2001. The red horizontal line indicates failure episodes and shows that since 1986 the Nevern has only achieved compliance in the mid nineties. Although the conservation limit was achieved in 2001, this does not constitute a ‘pass’ in itself.

6 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

5. PUBLIC CONSULTATION

In our Nevern Salmon Action Plan Consultation Document, published and launched in November, 2001, we described details of the Nevern salmon stocks and their environment. We also highlighted what we believed to be the major constraints acting at present and proposed ways of reducing these to optimise stock levels on a sustainable basis.

In total, we distributed 31 copies to angling interests and netsmen, and a further 33 to organisations and individuals. Each copy was accompanied by a short questionnaire, which sought consultees’ views on the document. The response rate from the anglers and netsmen was average compared to the response rates observed in the consultation process for other Salmon Action Plans; 8 completed questionnaires were received from anglers and riparian owners. 3 formal responses were also received from different consultees. Results of the consultation questionnaire are shown below.

To the question whether To the question whether To the question whether consultees agreed with our consultees thought we had consultees thought we are views of the state of salmon identified all the issues proposing the correct actions, stocks on the Nevern, 14% concerning salmon stocks in 50% agreed: agreed: the catchment, 29% agreed:

14% 14% Yes Yes Yes No No No Partly Unsure Unsure 50% 50% 29%

71% 72%

The responses received highlighted a general disagreement with our views on the state of the salmon stocks on the Nevern. Most respondents felt the numbers of salmon and seatrout running the river were generally ‘good’.

71% of respondents also felt that not all the issues affecting salmon stocks in the catchment had been identified. Most respondents felt that more emphasis should be placed on issues such as obstructions to migration, pollution and predation, whilst the Duad was highlighted by a number of consultees as deserving special attention. One additional issue raised during consultation was concern over the possible impact of inshore net bycatch on salmon stocks.

50% of respondents felt that we were proposing the correct actions for improving salmon stocks on the Nevern. The practice of catch and release was not favoured by the majority of respondents. It was also generally felt that the Action Plan focused on too many ‘generic’ actions, rather than actions specific to the Nevern catchment.

7 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

Issues raised:

1. Predation issues. Whilst predation by birds was cited as a limiting factor in the consultation document, predation by other animals such as otter and mink did not receive any coverage. This subject was raised during consultation with various stakeholders and local area staff. Predation is a natural part of salmon ecology, and in most cases both predator and prey have adapted to each other’s presence. Salmon and their predators should therefore coexist without there being a serious threat to fish stocks. Indeed predation, through removing weaker individuals, may even benefit stocks. However, this relationship is dynamic, and predators can exert considerable pressure on fish stocks at any one time.

Otters are well established throughout the Nevern catchments. Otters are highly opportunistic feeders and will take most fish species, including salmon, trout, roach, perch, eel, stickleback and flounder. However, otters hunt by sight when underwater, and will therefore generally take slower moving species such as eel over salmon and sea trout (Huxtable, 1998). Otter populations will therefore have some impact on salmonid stocks, although other fish species are likely to be taken preferentially. It is important to bear in mind that the otter is a protected species in its own right under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. The very presence of otters in a catchment is indicative of good water quality and healthy fish populations.

Mink were also cited as a potential problem. Although mink do not appear to be a threat to fish stocks generally, any concentration of prey will attract predators, and mink can therefore cause problems on fish farms and in salmon spawning areas. However, mink are highly opportunistic predators, and will preferentially hunt for small mammals and waterfowl. Any authorised person can kill or take mink using any legal methods, and although DEFRA has long ended its programme of attempting eradication of mink, ADAS continue to offer advice on control. However the Agency wishes to discourage mink hunting where otters and other wildlife may be disturbed.

There is also a view that, in the countryside generally, mink have found a vacant niche, and that they are settling down to reach a balance with their prey. It is also interesting to note that mink are thought to be displaced by otters (EA, 1996).

2. Exploitation at sea. Salmon stocks in England and Wales are exploited in a number of fisheries other than those operating under the jurisdiction of the Environment Agency within National waters. These include the distant water fisheries at Faeroes and West Greenland, and other fisheries such as those operating off Ireland (drift nets) and in homewaters in other parts of the UK.Tagging studies have provided information on the levels of exploitation for English and Welsh stocks in many of these fisheries.

Many respondents expressed particular concerns with respect to the fisheries operating off Ireland. Provisional estimates of the levels of exploitation for this fishery, prior to the inroduction of new fisheries regulations in 1997, vary substantially between stocks in different English and Welsh regions, and from year to year. Exploitation rates were low (≈1%) for stocks in the north east of England, higher (≈ 5-10%) for rivers on the west coast and in Wales, but highest (≈ 10-20%) for stocks from south coast rivers. More recent unpublished data suggest that levels of exploitation have been significantly reduced following the introduction of management measures in Ireland in 1997. However, relatively large numbers of tagged salmon originating from the River Thames have been recovered in Irish fisheries in 1999, 2000 and 2001 (232 fish of 272 recaptured over 3 years). 8 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

The Agency continues to make representations to the UK Government to press for the phasing out of all mixed stock fisheries and also continues to support the control measures currently in operation, including NASCO quotas and buyouts by the NASF. Additional concerns were raised by a number of respondents relating to the taking of salmon and sea trout as by-catch from the sea-fish net fisheries within inshore waters. The impact of these fisheries remains unquantified.

The Agency is currently working with the South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee (SWSFC) to protect migratory salmonids in the marine environment. However, there have recently been moves by local funding authorities to constrain the expenditure of the SWSFC; this could have implications for collaborative working between EA and SWSFC. The Agency have supported SWSFC’s case to maintain an adequate level of expenditure, however this has yet to be resolved.

3. Catch and Release. Catch and release has not been widely accepted on the Nevern. Many respondents still contend that there is a high mortality associated with this practice, whilst others do not agree with the ethics associated with catch and release.

The Agency promotes the philosophy of catch and release which studies have shown to be an effective conservation measure. Moreover, catch and release is one of the ways that economically important sport fisheries can continue to operate whilst reducing impact on spawning. The additional contribution of catch and release to egg deposition can be significant especially on a small system such as the Nevern. Of particular importance is the conservation of the spring salmon portion of the run.

In order to achieve the best results from catch and release, larger fish of both sexes should be returned. Studies by Webb 1998 showed survival rates of 84% for caught and released Atlantic salmon, if fish are handled correctly. A more recent study by Dempson et al., 2002, found only 8.2% mortality in Atlantic Salmon caught and released on the Conne River, Newfoundland. The EA has published a booklet and produced a video to help anglers ensure survival rates are high.

The Nevern AA has already implemented a number of conservation measures to protect salmon stocks in the catchment such as bag limits & restricted fishing areas. Catch and release is an additional strategy for conserving stocks and is commended as an option for anglers to consider.

4. Obstructions to migration. Obstructions to migration were raised as a potential issue, especially in the upper reaches of the catchment. The Agency continues to monitor in-stream obstructions. Results of a habitat mapping project carried out in the catchment this summer should also help to quantify the extent of the problem in certain areas of the catchment. It is, however, important to note that instream debris is beneficial to fish populations. Coarse woody debris, for example, is a natural part of the river system, providing substrate, food and shelter for in-stream organisms, and scouring out pools and rejuvenating gravels downstream. The Agency therefore seeks to remove major blockages only where they are impeding the passage of migratory fish, or where it is considered there is a flood risk to property, and the cost of carrying out work can be justified.

5. Water quality. Water quality in the catchment has attracted concern, particularly regarding sheep dip and resultant water quality. Surveys have been carried out in 1997 and 1998 as part of the Welsh monitoring program and core sites on the Nevern continue to be monitored on a monthly basis, the results do not highlight any need for major concern. The EA is aware of the real threat to salmonids posed by the use of sheep dip chemicals and is committed to working with farmers

9 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan and landowners. Best practice manuals have been distributed to farmers & the Agency’s Environment Protection function carry out regular site inspections where resources allow.

10 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

6. Funding. Some respondents raised concerns over the availability of funding for many of the actions proposed in the SAP.

Nationally, the Environment Agency currently spends about £8.5 million on salmon and sea trout fishery management, for which the two main sources of funding are licence income from anglers and Grant-in-Aid (GiA). In Wales, Grant-in-Aid has been cut back substantially over the last decade. However, the Agency is very pleased that the National Assembly has recently agreed to an additional £800, 000 GiA for each of the next 3 years to support the Agency’s fisheries work in Wales. This new money will fund work over the next three years to implement the some of the recommendations of the government appointed Review Group’s report on Fisheries Policy and Legislation. Funds are earmarked for several priority areas, including conserving and restoring salmon stocks, restoring fish habitats, removing barriers to fish migration and developing and restoring community fisheries.

Another source of funding relevant to the Nevern is Objective 1, which is aimed at increasing employment opportunities in the most economically depressed areas of Europe. The Environment Agency is currently progressing a bid for over £5M for fisheries improvements in Wales.

Several suggestions for alternative actions and for priority adjustments were also received in the consultation process. These have been considered carefully and evaluated, and where appropriate have been assimilated into the Action Plan.

Some additional actions from the Local Environment Agency Plan (LEAP) have also been subsumed in the actions table as these are believed to be of potential benefit to salmon.

A number of actions listed apply to all our SAP rivers, and it should be noted that the cost assigned to such actions does not relate specifically to the Nevern. It would be extremely difficult to break these costs down for individual rivers. Actions which are specific to the Nevern have been highlighted to avoid confusion.

The Agency would like to thank all those who have contributed to the consultation process of the Action Plan.

The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

6. ACTION PLAN SUMMARY TABLE

ACTION COST (£K) AND TIMESCALE

FUNDING SOURCES EAW (LEAD IN BOLD) Cost 2002/ 2003/ 2004/ 2005/ £K 2003 2004 2005 2006

ISSUE 1: Habitat degradation

Habitat mapping of catchment, prioritising MSW 0.1 EAW, Fishery owners, salmon spawning areas. Develop action plans Angling associations, CCW for enhancing and optimising available habitat n (as part of SSSI notification for salmon life stages. process).

Produce a programme of works, in collaboration with flood defence, landowners and relevant EAW, Landowners, CCW, organisations, to protect valuable habitats and n 5 RSPB, WTWW improve degraded habitats with particular regard to priority biodiversity species and habitats.

Prepare a bid through partnership to seek external funding for a programme of fisheries EAW, Fishery owners, 4.3 n development where the need for improvements Angling associations. is identified.

Apparent under utilisation of Duad sub- catchment by salmon. Assess status of salmon EAW, Fishery owners, 3 n in the Duad sub catchment and investigate any Angling associations under utilisation by salmon

ISSUE 2: Exploitation of mixed salmon stocks in distant water fisheries.

EAW, NASCO, UK & Irish EAW and others to continue to make governments, NASF, representations to UK and Irish government to NDC nnnn Fishery owners, Angling press for phasing out of Irish drift net fishery. associations.

EAW and others to continue to support the EAW, NASCO, NASF, control measures currently in operation, NDC nnnnFishery owners, Angling including NASCO quota and buyouts by NASF of associations Faeroes and Greenland fisheries.

ISSUE 3: Illegal exploitation.

Develop and implement an intelligence led 13 nnnnEAW, SWSFC enforcement plan.

Develop and implement a scheme to increase the provision of intelligence by anglers, fishery owners, the general public and other enforcement agencies on illegal activities. Maximise use by the public of the 0800 80 70 60 EAW, SWSFC, Anglers, 24-hour emergency telephone service. 5.5 nnnnFishery owners, Other enforcement agencies

11 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

ACTION COST (£K) AND TIMESCALE FUNDING SOURCES (LEAD IN BOLD) EWA 2002/ 2003/ 2004/ 2005/ COST 2003 2004 2005 2006 £k

Promote awareness of illegal fishing and its impact by publicising enforcement successes 5.5 nnnnEAW and briefing influential parties.

Continue rod licence enforcement ‘blitzes’. 43 nnnnEAW, Fishery owners

ISSUE 4: Failures to achieve egg deposition targets in recent years. Also the uncertainty of some of the factors utilised in the egg deposition target estimates, such as the ‘out of season’ run and interspecific competition with sea trout.

R&D project to investigate the effects of interspecific competition between salmon and Ongoing - NSTC sea trout on egg deposition rates

Improve monitoring of adult salmon and sea trout runs through the installation of an acoustic 80 nnnnEAW, CFF, CCW counter on the Tywi (completed). Use data to make predictions for the Nevern.

ISSUE 6: Legal exploitation.

Carry out five-year review of effectiveness of EAW, Local fisheries NLO and local byelaws at protecting fish 1.5 nn interests. stocks in West Wales.

Implement and monitor national salmon byelaws to protect multi-sea winter salmon 1.2 n EAW, Consultees stocks and carry out five-year review in 2004.

Ensure resources are deployed to enforce and nnnnEAW monitor the national salmon byelaws.

EAW, local fisheries Review Nevern stocking programme interests

Promote stock conservation measures, especially those affecting early running fish, EAW, Angling interests, e.g. Catch and Release video and leaflet, 12.5 nnnn Governing bodies Salmonid 21C video and magazine, Glas-y- Dorlan, presentations to anglers

ISSUE 7: Sheep dip.

Carry out chemical and biological monitoring in vulnerable areas to identify where 8 nnnnEAW environmental impact occurs.

Undertake visits to sheep dipping and disposal 14 nnnnEAW sites.

Implement the campaigns to promote safer practices and adherence to the Groundwater Regulations, 1998, specifically to encourage EAW, NFU, FUW, CLA, authorisations for disposal of used dip and to 2.5 nnnnFarming organisations, ensure dipping facilities represent minimal risk NAW, UK Government of pollution.

12 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

COST (£k) AND TIMESCALE ACTION FUNDING SOURCES EAW 2002/ 2003/ 2004/ 2005/ (LEAD IN BOLD) COST 2003 2004 2005 2006 (£k)

ISSUE 8: Farm effluent.

Continue to liaise on improvements to farm effluent storage and disposal systems, and EAW carry out site inspections where resources allow.

Seek to establish ‘buffer zones’ alongside appropriate stretches of the Nevern and CCW, Landowners, EAW tributaries (also see issue 2).

Promote sustainable agricultural practices in line with Local Plans and Countryside 0.5 nnnnEAW, PeCC, CCW Strategies, with particular reference to Tir Gofal and the All Wales Agricultural Strategy.

Maximise the use of the 0800 80 70 60 EAW, Angling interests, 24-hour emergency telephone service. Public

ISSUE 10:.Predation.

Review findings of R&D report and consult widely with key stakeholders and interested 1 nnEAW, Anglers, RSPB, NT parties before implementing any recommendations in the area.

ISSUE 11: Obstructions to migration.

Sensitive removal of total instream blockages, and retention of partial blockages, consistent ? EAW, Fishery owners, CCW with our conservation duties and maintenance of fish passes.

Review R&D for instream blockages. EAW, Fishery owners, CCW

Key to abbreviations in Table

Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning AA Angling Association FMD Foot & Mouth Disease ADAS Agricultural Development Advisory Service NASCO North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation CCW Country side Council for Wales NASF North Atlantic Salmon Fund CFF Carmarthen Fisheries Federation NAW National assembly for Wales CLA Country Landowners’ Association NFU(W) National Farmers’ Union of Wales DCWW Dwr Cymru Welsh Water NK Not known DEFRA Department for the Environment, Food NSTC National Salmon and Trout Centre and Rural Affairs EAW Environment Agency Wales NT National Trust EP Environment Protection Team PeCC Pembrokeshire County Council FC Forestry Commission RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds FD Flood Defence Team SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest FER Fisheries Ecology and Recreation Team SWSFC South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee FUW Farmers’ Union of Wales WTWW Wildlife Trust West Wales LA Local Authority 13 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

NCD No Direct Cost

Key to Action Tables

U (in cost column) Unknown cost at this time

• (in financial year columns) Action in the financial year indicated

7. MANAGEMENT OF THE ACTION PLAN

The production of the Nevern SAP shortly follows the production of a Local Contibution for South West Area which identifies how we will achieve our targets for the environmental improvements. SAPs will support the salmon element of the Local Contribution at a local level as well as providing the basic information to enable Regional and National overviews of salmon stocks, their fisheries and the issues facing them. Such information is needed to report to Government and to the Public on the National salmon resource and to contribute to the international management of salmon fisheries via the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO).

A review of the Action Plan will also be produced after 5 years, with a similar format to this Plan. It will report the progress achieved over the preceding five years and examine the need to revise actions in light of changes to salmon stocks, the state of the Nevern catchment, as well as advances in our knowledge of the fishery. Annual progress will be monitored as part of the annual “Local contributions” review process.

Whilst we have every expectation of delivering the SAP actions, the following points should also be noted:

- Many of the costs quoted consist of staff time, and these actions will be carried out in conjunction with our routine work. Actions requiring input other than from in-house staff will be treated as special projects, subject to prioritisation with other initiatives and bidding procedures for available funding. - Some actions will require feasibility studied and cost-benefit appraisal of options before work starts. Where the costs outweigh the potential benefits, further action may not be viable. The Agency and participating organisations must balance limited resources with prioritised plans. These plans may be subject to change if funding becomes restricted, where there is a change in government policy or where new priorities emerge.

14 The River Nevern Salmon Action Plan

8. REFERENCES

Dempson J.B., Furey G. & Bloom M. (2002). Effects of catch and release angling on Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar L., of the Conne River, Newfoundland. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 2002, 9, 139-147.

Environment Agency (1996). Mink – information leaflet.

Environment Agency (1999 (1)). A Working Environment for Wales.

Environment Agency (1999 (2)). Otters and River Habitat Management. 2nd Edition.

Humling M. (2002). An investigation into the under-utilisation by salmon (Salmo salar) of the Nant Duad, a major tributary to the River Nevern. M.Sc. thesis. King’s College London.

Huxtable, L (1998). Prey preferences of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in South Wales. B.Sc Thesis, University of Glamorgan.

National Rivers Authority (1994) The Disposal of Sheep Dip Waste; effects on Water Quality. R&D Report 11.

Roberts, D., Jones, F.H., Wyatt, R.J. and Milner, N.J (2) (1998). The impact of the Sea Empress oil spill on the abundance of juvenile migratory salmonids in West Wales. Environment Agency, Welsh Region, EA/M/1. 30pp

Scranney D (1998 (1)). Cost benefit analysis for a proposed sea trout stocking programme on the River Tywi. Environment Agency 1998.

Scranney D (1998 (2)). Habitat improvement as a viable and sustainable tool for enhancing salmon stocks. Glas-y-Dorlan Article, Environment Agency, 1998.

Somers L (2001). A summary report of the fisheries investigation on the Western Cleddau (summer 2000). Environment Agency technical memorandum TMW01_08.

Webb J.H. (1998). Catch and Release: the survival and behaviour of Atlantic Salmon angled and returned to the Aberdeenshire Dee, in spring and early summer. Scottish Fisheries Research Report No. 62/1998. ISSN 0308 8022.