Post by Davy Telford on Jun 11, 2011 10:48:32 GMT
REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF ANTRIM & DISTRICT ANGLING ASSOCIATION AND SIX MILE WATER TRUST
The following is brief summary of the work that the Antrim & Dist. Angling Association and the Six Mile Water Trust have been engaged in over the last year or so. Hopefully it will give an understanding of the extent of our activities and the effort which has been invested by some individuals on the clubs behalf.
Brief explanation of what Six Mile Water Trust is and its work in conjunction with Antrim & Dist. Angling Association.
The Trust was set up to achieve the objectives of improving the water quality & river environment. Because the Trust is composed of several organisations it has much more influence or clout than the fishing club alone. The Trust includes and is greatly influenced by four fishing clubs in the catchment representing over 500 members. Our membership includes organisations as diverse as The Ulster Wildlife Trust and RSPB to Antrim Boat Club as well as Ulster Angling Federation, biodiversity officers, council representatives (Antrim & Newtownabbey), MLA’s as well as government agencies such as N I Environment Agency, DARD, DCAL etc.
The Trust strives to make maximum impact to improve the situation on the river so we get publicity at events & in newspapers to raise the profile of the Six Mile Water. Everything the angling representatives of the Trust do is endorsed by the club for the benefit of the club.In order to achieve maximum effectiveness we have contacted many sources to lobby on our behalf – from Ulster Angling Federation and Countryside Alliance to Westminster MP’s and local politicians, Rev. William Mc Crea and Danny Kinahan being especially helpful. We have had visits from two Environment Ministers, Sammy Wilson and Edwin Pootes. The club meeting with Sammy Wilson happened to coincide with a nasty pollution incident which we had reported but NIEA had not dealt with and to his credit he made sure that changes were put in place to allow NIEA to do their job properly such as targeting pollution hotspots (Mallusk Industrial Estate) and following through with prosecutions.
Position at the moment :- thanks to surveys conducted by NIEA we have identified the major problems and have irrefutable scientific evidence to back it. Thanks to DCAL surveys we have an idea what the fish stock density stands at. With the incoming EEC Water Framework Directive will come changes instigated by NIEA. Local Management Areas will be established for each catchment and thanks to our close contact with NIEA and Maurice Parkinsons attendance at the Lower Lough Neagh Catchment Stakeholder Meetings, the Six Mile Water has been given priority in these plans. There are also changes afoot on the agricultural front with the introduction of the N I Countryside Management Scheme with farmers being given financial reward for caring for the river adjacent to their fields. Slurry spreading should also be more controlled, most farms having completed construction of holding tanks.
DCAL have been assisting our efforts to increase fish stocks although high water conditions last season prevented collection of broodstock.
Hopefully the worst days of the Six Mile Water are behind us as we strive to bring the river back to it’s former glory. We owe a great deal to those who have worked so hard behind the scenes, particularly to Eileen Mallon from NIEA who’s dedication & expertise made establishment of the Trust possible; to Alan Flemming, club Secretary; Walter Lismore, Treasurer; Paul Erwin whose computer skills were often called upon; Maurice Parkinson who is currently chairing both the club and the Trust and whose experience working within government has proved priceless in terms of contacts and knowledge. He is always cool and confident and is never intimidated by any situation, whether meeting government ministers or chairing large meetings. Thanks to all who have been involved and to those who are not I hope this has given some idea of how the Club & Trust are operating at present,
Michael Martin.
Below are short notes on what has been happening with each department over the last year ;-
NIEA – Meetings at Water Management Headquarters, Lisburn
Endorsed 100 point pollution plan designed by late Alan Kirkpatrick
Meetings with NIEA Chief Scientific Officer, Peter Hale
Surveys;- Blackwater & Ballymartin rivers; Six Mile Water Catchment Survey;- Identified pollution points, advised on nature of pollutants and made recommendations as to actions required
Specific concentrated effort on Mallusk Industrial Estate resulting in identification of High Risk Business Premises, 5 industrial prosecutions, 2 other prosecutions with several pending.
ACA, Fish Legal briefing NIEA on Freedom of Information Act
Maurice Parkinson representing club at Lough Neagh Catchment Stakeholder Meetings
Priority given to Six Mile Water in Water Framework Directive plans, we already have a Local Management Area Scheme in place
NIEA also granted licence to control cormorant numbers which were predating heavily on fish especially during spawning when they are particularly vulnerable
DCAL – initiated series of Stock Density Surveys to establish fish population, post fish kill
Broodstock collection from Clady Water 2008, water too high in 2009
Supplied 1000 fingerlings to Ballymartin, 5000 fry to Clady Water
AFBI- Robert Kennedy met club reps to explain survey results, electrofishing stock surveys have continued throughout 2009
R. Kennedy to give presentation on current status of fish stocks at AGM
RIVERS AGENCY – consultations with R A about plans for work on Ballymartin, Doagh, Four Mile Burn and main river itself. Objected to gravel removal & flood defence work. Monitored some work on Ballymartin River
Some conflict of interest between good river management and flood defence work
N I WATER – in consultation with N I Water following NIEA report identifying problem areas, they sent a rep to address Trust meeting, improvements ongoing. Formerly the worst polluter of rivers in N Ireland, the Water Service is now receiving funding which was badly lacking in the past with the inevitable results on our rivers. Maurice Parkinson & Danny Kinahan instrumental in having Hilton Hotel sewage system directed into main system rather than river
PLANNING DEPARTMENT : – raised objections to proposed development of river bank at Dunadry and also hydro-electric schemes. Involved in consultation with planners of new Ballyclare Relief Road, placed objection to that scheme on grounds that not enough consideration had been given to Environmental Impact Survey
DARD :- Alan Morrow addressed Trust meeting to explain N Ireland Countryside Management Scheme whereby farmers are given awards for the level of protection they provide to rivers adjacent to their fields. He acknowledged findings of NIEA report on unacceptable levels of nitrates organic material finding its way into river and explained that completion of slurry tanks may help solve this problem. Alan is to try to keep us informed as to when new scheme is to be launched (early 2010) and will be encouraging the farming community of this catchment to take advantage of the grants available
Articles Published:- Belfast Telegraph, Newsletter, Newtownabbey Times, Antrim Guardian, Irish News, Trout & Salmon, Flytying – Flyfishing mag, Irish Countrysports & Countrylife
Events Antrim & District Angling Association & Six Mile Trust represented in:- Salmon in the Classroom Project, fry released from Ballyclare Leisure Centre;
Celebrate Six Mile Water Event at Loughshore
Biodiversity Forum, Greenmount College
Fish Release at Pattersons Spade Mill, Ballymartin
ANGLING TRUST – ACA (Fish Legal) :- currently working on cases on Six Mile Water, did consultation visit in October, briefed NIEA and government officials on Freedom of Information Law. NIEA now working proactively with Fish Legal barristers rather than holding back information
Online Petition – we have started an online petition on the Antrim & Dist. Angling Association website to draw attention to the current situation on commercial exploitation of wild trout in N Ireland which appears to be expanding rapidly. We feel that the fisheries should be closely monitored and surveys done to see if there is a sustainable harvest to justify the pressures applied by a commercial fishery. We have already had communication with Nelson Mc Causland, Minister for Culture, Arts & Leisure and hope to continue this contact
From the above you will have gathered that we owe a great deal to many organisations and individuals who have given generously of their time and resources. Now it is up to the membership of the club to do what they can to help with the improvements necessary to bring back the river to it’s renowned status of the past. Please be aware that as ambassadors of the club we have a duty to be civil and courteous to other anglers and river users and especially to farmers who generously give us access to their property.If you see others acting inappropriately or leaving litter please let them know or report them to the committee.
“… the wildlife of today is not ours to dispose of as we please. We have it in trust. We must account for it to those who come after ”
King George VI
The following is brief summary of the work that the Antrim & Dist. Angling Association and the Six Mile Water Trust have been engaged in over the last year or so. Hopefully it will give an understanding of the extent of our activities and the effort which has been invested by some individuals on the clubs behalf.
Brief explanation of what Six Mile Water Trust is and its work in conjunction with Antrim & Dist. Angling Association.
The Trust was set up to achieve the objectives of improving the water quality & river environment. Because the Trust is composed of several organisations it has much more influence or clout than the fishing club alone. The Trust includes and is greatly influenced by four fishing clubs in the catchment representing over 500 members. Our membership includes organisations as diverse as The Ulster Wildlife Trust and RSPB to Antrim Boat Club as well as Ulster Angling Federation, biodiversity officers, council representatives (Antrim & Newtownabbey), MLA’s as well as government agencies such as N I Environment Agency, DARD, DCAL etc.
The Trust strives to make maximum impact to improve the situation on the river so we get publicity at events & in newspapers to raise the profile of the Six Mile Water. Everything the angling representatives of the Trust do is endorsed by the club for the benefit of the club.In order to achieve maximum effectiveness we have contacted many sources to lobby on our behalf – from Ulster Angling Federation and Countryside Alliance to Westminster MP’s and local politicians, Rev. William Mc Crea and Danny Kinahan being especially helpful. We have had visits from two Environment Ministers, Sammy Wilson and Edwin Pootes. The club meeting with Sammy Wilson happened to coincide with a nasty pollution incident which we had reported but NIEA had not dealt with and to his credit he made sure that changes were put in place to allow NIEA to do their job properly such as targeting pollution hotspots (Mallusk Industrial Estate) and following through with prosecutions.
Position at the moment :- thanks to surveys conducted by NIEA we have identified the major problems and have irrefutable scientific evidence to back it. Thanks to DCAL surveys we have an idea what the fish stock density stands at. With the incoming EEC Water Framework Directive will come changes instigated by NIEA. Local Management Areas will be established for each catchment and thanks to our close contact with NIEA and Maurice Parkinsons attendance at the Lower Lough Neagh Catchment Stakeholder Meetings, the Six Mile Water has been given priority in these plans. There are also changes afoot on the agricultural front with the introduction of the N I Countryside Management Scheme with farmers being given financial reward for caring for the river adjacent to their fields. Slurry spreading should also be more controlled, most farms having completed construction of holding tanks.
DCAL have been assisting our efforts to increase fish stocks although high water conditions last season prevented collection of broodstock.
Hopefully the worst days of the Six Mile Water are behind us as we strive to bring the river back to it’s former glory. We owe a great deal to those who have worked so hard behind the scenes, particularly to Eileen Mallon from NIEA who’s dedication & expertise made establishment of the Trust possible; to Alan Flemming, club Secretary; Walter Lismore, Treasurer; Paul Erwin whose computer skills were often called upon; Maurice Parkinson who is currently chairing both the club and the Trust and whose experience working within government has proved priceless in terms of contacts and knowledge. He is always cool and confident and is never intimidated by any situation, whether meeting government ministers or chairing large meetings. Thanks to all who have been involved and to those who are not I hope this has given some idea of how the Club & Trust are operating at present,
Michael Martin.
Below are short notes on what has been happening with each department over the last year ;-
NIEA – Meetings at Water Management Headquarters, Lisburn
Endorsed 100 point pollution plan designed by late Alan Kirkpatrick
Meetings with NIEA Chief Scientific Officer, Peter Hale
Surveys;- Blackwater & Ballymartin rivers; Six Mile Water Catchment Survey;- Identified pollution points, advised on nature of pollutants and made recommendations as to actions required
Specific concentrated effort on Mallusk Industrial Estate resulting in identification of High Risk Business Premises, 5 industrial prosecutions, 2 other prosecutions with several pending.
ACA, Fish Legal briefing NIEA on Freedom of Information Act
Maurice Parkinson representing club at Lough Neagh Catchment Stakeholder Meetings
Priority given to Six Mile Water in Water Framework Directive plans, we already have a Local Management Area Scheme in place
NIEA also granted licence to control cormorant numbers which were predating heavily on fish especially during spawning when they are particularly vulnerable
DCAL – initiated series of Stock Density Surveys to establish fish population, post fish kill
Broodstock collection from Clady Water 2008, water too high in 2009
Supplied 1000 fingerlings to Ballymartin, 5000 fry to Clady Water
AFBI- Robert Kennedy met club reps to explain survey results, electrofishing stock surveys have continued throughout 2009
R. Kennedy to give presentation on current status of fish stocks at AGM
RIVERS AGENCY – consultations with R A about plans for work on Ballymartin, Doagh, Four Mile Burn and main river itself. Objected to gravel removal & flood defence work. Monitored some work on Ballymartin River
Some conflict of interest between good river management and flood defence work
N I WATER – in consultation with N I Water following NIEA report identifying problem areas, they sent a rep to address Trust meeting, improvements ongoing. Formerly the worst polluter of rivers in N Ireland, the Water Service is now receiving funding which was badly lacking in the past with the inevitable results on our rivers. Maurice Parkinson & Danny Kinahan instrumental in having Hilton Hotel sewage system directed into main system rather than river
PLANNING DEPARTMENT : – raised objections to proposed development of river bank at Dunadry and also hydro-electric schemes. Involved in consultation with planners of new Ballyclare Relief Road, placed objection to that scheme on grounds that not enough consideration had been given to Environmental Impact Survey
DARD :- Alan Morrow addressed Trust meeting to explain N Ireland Countryside Management Scheme whereby farmers are given awards for the level of protection they provide to rivers adjacent to their fields. He acknowledged findings of NIEA report on unacceptable levels of nitrates organic material finding its way into river and explained that completion of slurry tanks may help solve this problem. Alan is to try to keep us informed as to when new scheme is to be launched (early 2010) and will be encouraging the farming community of this catchment to take advantage of the grants available
Articles Published:- Belfast Telegraph, Newsletter, Newtownabbey Times, Antrim Guardian, Irish News, Trout & Salmon, Flytying – Flyfishing mag, Irish Countrysports & Countrylife
Events Antrim & District Angling Association & Six Mile Trust represented in:- Salmon in the Classroom Project, fry released from Ballyclare Leisure Centre;
Celebrate Six Mile Water Event at Loughshore
Biodiversity Forum, Greenmount College
Fish Release at Pattersons Spade Mill, Ballymartin
ANGLING TRUST – ACA (Fish Legal) :- currently working on cases on Six Mile Water, did consultation visit in October, briefed NIEA and government officials on Freedom of Information Law. NIEA now working proactively with Fish Legal barristers rather than holding back information
Online Petition – we have started an online petition on the Antrim & Dist. Angling Association website to draw attention to the current situation on commercial exploitation of wild trout in N Ireland which appears to be expanding rapidly. We feel that the fisheries should be closely monitored and surveys done to see if there is a sustainable harvest to justify the pressures applied by a commercial fishery. We have already had communication with Nelson Mc Causland, Minister for Culture, Arts & Leisure and hope to continue this contact
From the above you will have gathered that we owe a great deal to many organisations and individuals who have given generously of their time and resources. Now it is up to the membership of the club to do what they can to help with the improvements necessary to bring back the river to it’s renowned status of the past. Please be aware that as ambassadors of the club we have a duty to be civil and courteous to other anglers and river users and especially to farmers who generously give us access to their property.If you see others acting inappropriately or leaving litter please let them know or report them to the committee.
“… the wildlife of today is not ours to dispose of as we please. We have it in trust. We must account for it to those who come after ”
King George VI