A MANDATORY catch and release scheme for salmon fishermen has received a mixed reception among anglers along the Tywi and Teifi rivers.

While some argue that such a move is essential to preserve dwindling stocks, others say it would have an adverse effect on club membership as well as tourism.

Vince Thomas, chairman of the Teifi Trout Association, said he was particularly concerned for Cenarth which relies heavily on holiday trade during the summer months.

“The restrictions they’re going to impose are the biggest issue,” he told the Cambrian News.

“You’re only allowed to fish with worm at Cenarth and if they’re going to take that away angling is going to be decimated – it’s going to make a hell of a difference to the area.

“Cenarth is particularly favoured by elderly and disabled anglers who can’t access other parts of the river simply by parking alongside the road and crossing a series of fields.

“So my twin concern is that catch and release will not just lead to a fall in tourists, it will also reduce the membership of angling clubs.”

His comments came after the Board of Natural Resources Wales supported their executive’s proposals for imposition of a mandatory scheme.

The board will now recommend to Welsh Government that this is implemented from the start of the 2018 fishing season on 1 April, even though 83 per cent of respondents to the consultation did not agree with the proposals.

However, Cilgerran-based Teifi River guide Harry Jackson feels such a move is necessary to safeguard stocks.

“I have never seen salmon stocks on the Teifi so low,” he said. “We’re talking crisis levels here – and the Tywi is worse off than we are."

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