Wales Fisheries Forum

Purpose

The Wales Fisheries Forum will be made up of a wide range of stakeholders who are coming together to share ideas and act as ambassadors for Welsh fisheries.

The goal is to ensure our freshwater and migratory fish stocks are protected for generations to come.

We want this new group to represent everyone who cares about fish, not just rod and net licence holders; angling clubs; fishery and riparian owners, but also conservation organisations; rivers trusts; volunteers and other fish and fisheries-related businesses and professionals.

There is no one silver bullet to solve the many issues and challenges facing fisheries, the solutions can be found in a combination of different changes, all of which need to be supported by new ways of thinking.

By working together, the forum will be a channel for the exchange of ideas and best practice and will help inform NRW’s fisheries work on, among other areas, strategy, promotion and partnership working.

Membership

The forum will made up of representatives from NRW and a variety of groups and organisations.

Members have a role to play in how fish and fisheries are managed in Wales and are united in their desire to see Welsh fishing managed in a sustainable way which benefits the people, environment and economy of Wales.

Initially the forum will consist of the following organisations, but future membership will be reviewed, the members are:

Afonydd Cymru
Angling Cymru
Angling Trust
Atlantic Salmon Trust
Campaign for the Protection of Welsh Fisheries
Countryside Alliance Wales
Institute of Fisheries Management – Welsh Branch
Salmon and Trout Conservation Cymru
Welsh Salmon and Trout Angling Association
Wild Trout Trust

In addition, other groups which may attend the forum’s meeting include Welsh Government, netsmen, wildlife organisations and individual rivers groups as well as DEFRA and the Environment Agency who will contribute to cross-border discussions.

Terms of Reference