Our analyses show that it is apparent that human activities have been affecting Cornish rivers over long time-scales, with severe demographic declines occurring in trout populations in the period between the Middle Ages and early Modern times. This straying both maintains and homogenises diversity between catchments. The success of this has been phenomenal – generating an additional 200,000 fishing opportunities across the country through the funding that has been awarded.The Angling Trust also has a range of programmes to promote fishing to people of all ages and we have trained more than 1,300 coaches over the last 10 years. This was akey achievement by Angling Trust against pressure from those whoriver where the stock is assessed as being ‘At Risk’ of failing its Conservation Limit and on smaller rivers regarded as ‘Recovering’. Thirdly, we use the woody material won from coppicing to create in- river woody structures. This year WRT is leading a new project to reduce the amount of soil finding its way into Westcountry rivers, the ‘Devon and Cornwall Soils Alliance’, which brings together organisations across the Westcountry to work toreduce the sources of these problems.Whilst land management practices are undoubtedly the major cause of our problems, change will take a long time. Between these two approaches we have the best chance of helping the fish we all want to prosper and grow.Bruce Stockley, Head of Fisheries, Westcountry Rivers TrustTwo years after retiring as Secretary, I was elected Chairman of SWRA at the AGM in April, succeeding Henry Llewllynwho had been in the chair since Humphrey Wood’sretirement in 2011. We believe this will help recruitment, fund-raising from inside and outside RTFA and our campaigning efforts on behalf of the river.Recent campaigns have been successful as you all know. 10 new members were recruited last year and we have 2 new members so far this year. That was when the fish took.Firsts are special. RTFA’s code of practice is anexcellent guide. We have also provided expert advice to hundreds of its member clubs and fisheries on a wide range of issues. Surely not much to ask. Easy to say, hard to create, when so many stresses and strains have been put on our rivers. Email: First the fishing. This is a time before the widespread use of deep shaft mining when a process known as tin streaming was at its most extensive in southwest England. It probably helped that a novice friend of ours was also going. RTFA Committee Recommendations. The River Taw Fisheries Association was set up to protect and improve the river habitat and provides useful information on catches of migratory fish. Future conservation efforts should investigate ways of increasing genetic diversity within the small stream populations, preferably by enabling natural reconnection with fish inhabiting the larger catchments.Dr Andrew King. The total spend for river improvement work will therefore be £20,000, all to be carried out for us by WRT .Our own cash reserves stood at just over £28,000 at the end of May. The Environment Agency (EA) It was good to speak to so many of you at the AGM in March. Barriers, both natural and man-made, can impact rivers by dividing continuous habitat into smaller patches. Without sounding complacent and acknowledging that there a many smaller improvements that can be made, we can be reasonably confident that the fish can mostly go where they want, when they want, on the Taw catchment.Regarding the other three factors – a place to stay, clean gravel and plentiful food – these can be summed up by a single concept, natural habitat. It is thought that there has been a local extinction of trout in this stream and natural recolonization has not occurred due to extensive barriers through Mevagissey village.We have highlighted that human activities over long time- scales have affected the structuring of, and levels of genetic diversity within, brown trout populations inhabiting streams and rivers of varying sizes. This season has started slowly with an estimated 20 salmon and 20 sea trout caught by the end of May, the result of few fish in the river and limited fishing activity. As a result I will be carrying out walk-over surveys in that area. If you own a fishery or run a club, please contact us to discuss fishery membership of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal on 01568 620447. The outcome met most of theconcerns raised by rod fishing interests, including Angling Trust’s Angling Advisory Group which included SWRA. The strength of it was far more that I was expecting. We strongly support the work of both public (Environment Agency) and private bodies including the Wild Trout Trust, the Southwest Rivers Trust, the River Taw Fisheries Association, and the Salmon & Trout Conservation Society in their efforts to maintain and improve the quality of the natural environment on our rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
Members of the River Taw Fisheries Association assembled at High Bullen Hotel on March 17th for their Annual General Meeting an eagerly anticipated date in the Taw angler’s diary. This work is being brought forward into 2019 and will now run alongside additional work financed from a further £10,000 allocated from our funds with WRT. A reminder will be sent out later this year for members to amend their standing orders.