Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
On 16 July 2019, I issued a Written Statement announcing my decision to confirm Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) proposed Wales Rod and Line (Salmon and Sea Trout) Byelaws 2017 and the Wales Net Fishing (Salmon and Sea Trout) Byelaws 2017, known as the ‘All Wales’ Byelaws. The purpose of these Byelaws, which came into force on 1 January 2020, is to help reverse the decline in salmon and sea trout stocks in Wales.
On 25 October 2019, I received NRW’s proposed Cross-Border Rivers Rod and Line (Salmon and Sea Trout) (Wales) 2017 Byelaws. These Cross Border Byelaws replicate the approach of the All Wales Byelaws, for the Welsh parts of the rivers Dee and Wye.
It is important the Welsh parts of the Dee and Wye rivers are covered by the same restrictions as the rivers covered by the All Wales Byelaws. Therefore, I officially gave my approval to the Cross Border Byelaws, by signing their Confirmation Instruments on 29 January. The Byelaws will come into force on 31 January 2020.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are making equivalent Byelaws for the English parts of the Rivers Dee and Wye. To provide clarity for stakeholders, I have asked the responsible UK Government Minister to try and ensure the equivalent English byelaws come into force as soon as possible after the Welsh Byelaws.
Within my Written Statement of 16 July, I also tasked NRW to engage with stakeholders to develop and deliver a Plan of Action (PoA) for Salmon and Sea Trout. I can confirm NRW have held a number of meetings with stakeholders across Wales to discuss what should be included in the plan ahead of it being shared with stakeholders. I have received the Plan of Action and will now review before providing my approval for NRW to publish the document to all stakeholders in February.