River history made on eastern Cleddau regeneration scheme (From Western Telegraph)

River history made on eastern Cleddau regeneration scheme

3:00pm Friday 3rd July 2009 in

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A little piece of river bank history was made recently as members of the Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust and the Pembrokeshire Anglers Association met at Gelli, near Llawhaden.

The new partnership relates to part of the eastern Cleddau.

Present were Steve Brown and Nigel Mayhew of Pembrokeshire Anglers Association and Roger Burns and Lloyd Evans representing Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust. The eastern Cleddau ‘Bont’ beat has recently been added to the PAA’s portfolio of fishing.

Now local and visiting anglers can fish designated beats on both the eastern and western Cleddau, if they join Pembrokeshire Anglers Association.

Both organisations welcome for the first time, the availability of a piece of riverbank on the eastern Cleddau for public access fishing on a daily, weekly or seasonal basis.

Public access fishing is essential for qualification for European monies from Objective 1 schemes in Wales, to help develop and maintain the river banks and surrounding areas.

In the last few years, grants for the western Cleddau have enabled a new weir and fish pass on Haverfordwest, riverside and planting and habitat improvement schemes which have helped to improve the fishing.

Conversely, the fishing on the eastern Cleddau has deteriorated, with plenty of evidence of bank erosion and habitat degradation. The stimulus provided by this new partnership should prove a great help.

The new five-year agreement for ‘the Bont’ will allow habitat improvement projects on the eastern Cleddau and hopefully it will be restored to its previous glory.

To join the Pembrokeshire Anglers Association, contact the membership secretary on 01437 769275 or visit the website at www.pembrokeshire-anglers.co.uk.

Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust can be found at www.pembsrt.org.uk.

Both organisations would be delighted to hear from you.