REDFA and the Environment Agency

On 27 November 2007 a ground-breaking agreement was established between REDFA and the Environment Agency. Full details below.

Meeting Attendees
Harold Tonge, Bob Bradney, John Collins, Jonathon Shatwell, Stewart Mounsey
Ways of working
The Environment Agency would like to work with REDFA as a:
• Critical friend
• Key partner
• Voice of the wider angling community in the Eden catchment
• Representative of Environment Agency fishing and fisheries customers
We agreed that:
1. We would hold quarterly high level meetings between REDFA and the Area
Manager and these would be agreed in advance during January of each year.
2. Jonathan would be the primary management contact on day to day basis.
a. Tel 01768 21 5744
b. E-mail: Jonathon.shatwell@environment-agency.gov.uk
3. The Environment Agency will attend the REDFA committee meetings when
requested.
4. Both parties will provide early warning on workplans / issues that are likely to
affect each other.
5. The Environment Agency will provide regular information / updates (at an
appropriate level) on the key issues.
6. We will work together on developing communications, by providing concise
information on matters affecting the local fishing and fisheries community - for
posting on the REDFA website, including for example; advice on local
pollution events, summaries on Water Framework Directive consultations etc.
REDFA’s readers / members would be encouraged to use this method to
make contact with the EA.
John Collins also offered to meet some of the key REDFA members by the river bank
to get a feel for the issues. RJB awaits specific request in the spring of ‘08
REDFA feels there is a confusion on how local fishing and fisheries community feels
relevant matters are addressed, - especially with regard to the EA’s perceived
overarching role of NAFAC and there being no duty of REFRAC appointees to
consult. Jonathon to discuss REDFA’s link to RFERAC with Andy Brown.
Key issues
The following issues were discussed but left in abeyance.
• Penrith CSO’s (incident / current under capacity / transfers / housing
developments)
• River Lowther (CAMS / Review of licences / Shap STW)
• Net Limitation Order (REDFA will respond to DEFRA’s decision).
It was agreed that it would be beneficial to have separate discussions / briefings with
the relevant technical leads present. These discussions will be open / transparent
and shared with all of REDFA’s members. Concerns were also expressed by REDFA that for a number of years the local fishing and fisheries community has increasingly felt (given the financial constraints under which the EA operates) that it has a mantra of ‘delocalisation’ and increasing centralisation and convenience.