Threats to sea angling

Many anglers will have heard of the proposed commercial netting of the Salcombe Estuary for six months of the year, full details on the Devon and Severn IFCA website.
I suggest that all anglers and clubs to read this and express their disapproval to the proposals. The target species will be Mullet but there will be a bycatch of Bass and Gilthead Bream, this a time when the fish are spawning.
Sea Trout are also present and any netting will also affect future stocks. If the fish are not there, it will affect not just anglers but businesses associated with angling, as well as tourism. If this licence is granted, the door will then be open for the same proposals on the rest of our river estuaries.
A lesser-known proposed ban is on recreational Pollack fishing, this will again affect many businesses especially charter boats and could lead to many going out of business.
The Angling Trust is fighting our corner here and our support of them is needed. All anglers can keep abreast of what is happening by looking at the Devon and Severn IFCA website and Facebook page, the Angling Trust website and the Wyvern Region website and Facebook page. Clubs can also get involved by having members on the Wyvern Region Committee.
On a brighter note, the South Hams beaches are still fishing well with the usual Dogfish and Whiting plentiful, but for those who bide their time and fish with larger fish baits, there are some excellent Small Eyed Rays to be caught along with a few of the Spotted variety.
Anglers getting amongst the Rays include Chris Wagstaff, Tristan Rowe and Jason Upham.
Jason Also fished a local rock mark and landed a fine Bull Huss of 10lbs 1oz. Flounders are showing in reasonable numbers in the estuaries with fish being recorded up to 2lbs 8oz.
Spring ponds latest silver fish match was fished on a very cold morning with the fish reluctant to feed however Dean Bradford came out on top with a bag weight of 8lbs 8oz, Neil Bradford took second with 6lbs 15oz including a bonus Chub and Jason Fay took third spot with 6lbs 40z. Maggots were the successful bait fished on a long pole.
Newton Abbot FA held a match at Bradley pond where top rod was Luke Helliwell with 14lbs 12oz, second was Lee Dance with 13lbs 4oz and third was Shane Harper with 13lbs 8oz who also took the prize for the biggest Perch with a fish of 1lb 3oz.
Newbarn Angling Centre continues to fish well with Billy Grant fishing a day session and landing a couple of Carp around the 20lb mark.