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Cormorant Petition

Jim Foxall said:
A middle aged man out walking his dog had to be air lifted to Bristol Frenchay hospital today after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Police are questioning an angler who maintained that this was acceptable collateral damage considering the damage that the black plague was doing to his pet carp called Norman. The riparian owner said the facility would remain closed for the foreseeable future.â€

I don't think that he would last long at the Frenchay if my recollection of the success rates of treatment are correct.

I don't buy into this don't do anything in case it arouses negative publicity. I have stated many times on this thread, if the RSPB can shoot birds why can't other groups. I just can't see your average angler with a 12 bore cocked and ready to go. You need a licence! I can see an experienced game keeper doing the job or specialists brought in to address a particular problem.
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I am with you again Jim....I think it may come to that eventually, however sad that may be. One would think that if the RSPB can cull one species of bird to protect another...or because they are not indigenous...then I find that my previous worries concerning the possible damage to our public image that calling for a cull may cause...seem unfounded. The same could NOT be said for the otter issue...but I think in the case of cormorants, especially when a great many of them are NOT native British birds...then it is do-able.

And yes, it would have to be specialists called in to do the job for sure on many waters, because of the issues bought about by public access, footpaths, proximity to houses, roads and so on. However, with careful planning it can be done. I doubt you would get permission for high powered rifle use (the type that use cartridges) because of the distance the the projectile can carry. However, shotguns and high powered air rifles (in the hands of experts) could get the job done IMO....provided you could get close enough! Whatever, the experts will know the way to go, so leave it to them.

I suppose we will have to wait to see what the Angling Trust comes up with, in an effort to at least give the impression of a unified front...however optimistic that impression may be in reality.

Cheers, Dave.



Cheers, Dave.
 
Richard,
Sitting in a hyde for days on end hoping to see this rare bird and Photograph it in all its glory...Does this not sound simular to you.?:D:D.The only difference is the Species of Animal concerned..Like it or lump it, the only answer is to kill them,if you want to protect Angling..
 
What I find a little bit of a worry is that this topic has received a third of the hits compared to the Winter Suits thread. I believe that someone else made this point as well. You won't need Winter Suits if cormorant predation continues unchecked. If you do get into discussion with the RSPB, make the point that not only are they happy to shoot crows, but squirrels and foxes as well. Surprisingly, they seem to keep pretty quiet about this. I'm not against the RSPB, quite the opposite, they do some excellent work. But I do dislike the hypocrisy and the "head in the sand" attitude. A more realistic approach needs to be taken. I have replied to one of Richard Benyon's aides at defra - his letter stated "how cormorants can provoke strong feelings from anglers" - it's nothing to do with strong feelings it is the carnage carried out by these birds. Write to your MP and make this point. If anyone wants to use a couple of my letters as a basis, let me know and I'll e:mail them to you.
 
Hi Jim,
Must say i enjoy reading your posts..We share many views, unfortunately im not so good as writing them down TACTFULLY..:D:D..
As said before the RSPB will not back Anglers because they dont share the same problem..
Unfortunately Angling is very divided, you only have to see comments on here to realise that..:p..
Until ALL ANGLERS sing from the same book, then no one is really going to listen, including MPs..
 
Craig Wood said:
Hi Jim,
Must say i enjoy reading your posts..We share many views, unfortunately im not so good as writing them down TACTFULLY..:D:D..
As said before the RSPB will not back Anglers because they dont share the same problem..
Unfortunately Angling is very divided, you only have to see comments on here to realise that..:p..
Until ALL ANGLERS sing from the same book, then no one is really going to listen, including MPs..
Click to expand...

Thanks Craig. On the threats to our rivers and stillwater, I believe that the vast majority of anglers share common goals:

Reduce cormorant predation - in my view probably one of our more serious threats.
Get on top of the EE illegal fishing problem
Try and reach some agreement on the otter situation
Be on the look out for pollution.

I would be surprised if there were a single member on this Forum who didn't share these goals. All that needs to be done is for us all to pull together, agree a strategy and speak with one voice. And, put our cases across with reasoned argument when the opportunity arises. If we do nothing, then we shall reap our just desserts. Doing nothing is not an option.
 
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