Traeth Bach Wildfowlers Association. Shooting and Conservation Management Plan for Afon Dwyfor

Transcription

1 Traeth Bach Wildfowlers Association Shooting and Conservation Management Plan for Afon Dwyfor From 1 st November 2013 to 31 st August 2016 Draft for consultation This document has been prepared in conjunction with The British Association for Shooting and Conservation CONTACTS: Traeth Bach Wildfowlers Association: Contact: Derek Jones, c/o BASC The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC): Contact: Conservation & Land Management Team, Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 OHL Telephone: (01244) DATE:

2 CONTENTS Page No i) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... 1 ii) SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT INTRODUCTION Background Aims Objectives AFON DWYFOR AND WILDFOWLING Conservation Interest on Afon Dwyfor History and Pattern of Wildfowling on the Afon Dwyfor SITE INFORMATION Site Location Description of the Site Wildlife Interest on the Site Factors Limiting Wildfowling Activity Legal Physical Public Access Public Safety or Nuisance Wildfowling Access Other Uses of the Foreshore Adjacent Land Use TRAETH BACH WILDFOWLERS ASSOCIATION History and Background Shooting and Conservation Experience MANAGEMENT Background and Current Levels of Shooting Management of Shooting Conservation Management Wardening Monitoring Responsible Behaviour REVIEW OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN BUDGET... 10

3 LIST OF APPENDICES Page No. Appendix 1 Maps of the Lease Area. 11 Appendix 2 Quarry Species and Shooting Seasons 13 Appendix 3 BASC Wildfowler's Code of Practice. 13 Appendix 4 BASC Respect for Quarry Code of Practice. 13 Appendix 5 BASC Information Sheets: Waterfowl Shooting and Severe Weather 13 Appendix 6 BASC Guide to Membership Insurance Cover 13 Appendix 7 BASC Information Sheet: Lead shot regulations in Wales 13 Appendix 8 Crown Estate Wildfowling Return Forms and Information. 14 Appendix 9 Traeth Bach Wildfowlers Association Rules. 20 Appendix 10 List of Consultees. 22

4 KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS ASSI BASC BTO EHS Area of Special Scientific Interest - NI equivalent of SSSI British Association for Shooting and Conservation British Trust for Ornithology Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland EO Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 NE JNCC JTG LGA NRW RSPB SAC SPA SSSI WAGBI WCA WO WeBS WWT Natural England Joint Nature Conservation Committee Joint Group for Wildfowling and Conservation on Tidal Land Local General Agreement Natural Resources Wales (previously Countryside Council for Wales) Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Special Area of Conservation Special Protection Area Site of Special Scientific Interest Wildfowlers Association of Great Britain and Ireland (forerunner of BASC) The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) applies to England and Wales only The Wildlife Order (Northern Ireland) 1985 (as amended), The Wetland Bird Survey The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

5 i) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This plan has been produced by Traeth Bach Wildfowlers Association (the club) to outline management of wildfowling over foreshore on the Afon Dwyfor. The entire site covered by this management plan is owned by The Crown Estate. Maps showing the extent of the proposed lease arrangements can be found in Appendix 1. The Joint Group for Wildfowling and Conservation on Tidal Land (JTG) oversees management of sporting rights leases on Crown Estate foreshore according to set procedures. The JTG Terms of Reference can be found on the internet at (listed under the Coastal tab). The club has prepared this management plan for the purposes of applying for a sporting rights lease on the foreshore of Afon Dwyfor for a period of 3 years, commencing 1 st November 2013 until 31 st August In accordance with JTG procedures this plan is being circulated to members of the JTG, the local Natural Resources Wales (NRW) office and adjacent, landowners for comment. The club has held sporting rights leases from The Crown Estate since 2001 on Afon Artro, and since 1984 on the Traeth Bach estuary in the form of a sub-lease from NRW. In 1991 the club took on the lease of the remaining Crown Estate foreshore at Traeth Bach. ii) SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT This plan sets out the objectives and club management for a sporting rights lease from The Crown Estate for a period of 3 years, from 1 st November 2013 to 31 st August The lease area is not covered by any conservation designations, and consent from NRW is not therefore required. Shooting is by shoulder gun only, using smooth bore shotguns not exceeding 8 bore and non-toxic shot. A maximum of 12 members who live local to the Dwyfor will be permitted to shoot on this site. This site will not be available for club day permits. Under the Protection of Birds Act 1954 shooting is prohibited on Christmas Day. Under the Wild Birds (Sundays) Orders, 1955 to 1963, there is no currently shooting permitted on Sundays in this county. In accordance with the NRW guidance, shooting of Greenland Whitefront geese is not permitted on this site. The club aims to rear ringed mallard for release onto the Dwyfor in similar numbers to the local adjacent landowner release programme. Access to legitimate wildfowling exists via public rights of way, as indicated in section 3.5 of this plan and on the maps in Appendix 1. 1

6 A list of club members names, addresses, telephone numbers and car registration numbers will be given to relevant adjacent landowners before the start of the season each year. The club will encourage its members not to carry out wildfowling on count days when advised of dates and times by the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust WeBS Count Office (see also Section 2.1). Wildfowling return forms and management information will be collated by the club and submitted on an annual basis to BASC for analysis and circulation to The Crown Estate and JTG. The club has consistently supplied this information on their existing Crown Estate leases at Traeth Bach and Afon Artro. Failure to complete and submit a bag return will result in membership of the club being forfeited. Positive relationships with NRW, North Wales Wildlife Trust, Gwynedd Council and what was previously the Forestry Commission will continue to be maintained (see Section 4.2 for more details). 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Wildfowling is the pursuit of quarry species (wild duck, geese and waders) for sport with the use of a smooth bore shotgun either on foot or under certain conditions by punt over foreshore. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the foreshore is that part of the seashore which is more often than not covered by the flux and reflux of four ordinary tides occurring midway between spring and neaps. Wildfowling is a traditional activity in coastal areas. The Birds Directive (1979) fully recognises the legitimacy of hunting wild birds as a form of sustainable use. Wildfowling is an activity that provides significant social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits in the UK. Wildfowling continues as a sport valued by Traeth Bach Wildfowlers Association (the club). This management plan outlines how the club proposes organising and administering it s sporting and conservation lease from The Crown Estate on the foreshore of Afon Dwyfor to enable a coordinated approach to wildfowling and conservation on the site. The extent of the site is indicated on the maps in Appendix 1. The club was formed in 1983 and affiliated to BASC in the same year. The club has held sporting rights leases from The Crown Estate since 2001 at Afon Artro, and since 1984 on the Traeth Bach estuary in the form of a sub-lease from NRW. In 1991 the club took on the lease of the remaining Crown Estate foreshore at Treath Bach. The club has a particularly close working relationship with NRW, North Wales Wildlife Trust, Gywnedd Council and what used to be Forestry Commission. Club plans include conservation actions to enhance biodiversity features on the site, including predator control to protect ground nesting birds/wader breeding areas, organising litter picks and involvement in the Keep Wales Tidy Coastcare Group. In the past, the club has arranged a mink raft building day with BASC s North Wales Biodiversity Officer for other wildfowling clubs, fishing associations and NRW Wardens. For further detail see Sections 4.2 and

7 Maps showing the foreshore subject to this lease proposal can be found in Appendix 1. This lease does not include any saltings or salt marsh unless covered by tides as in the definition of foreshore above. 1.1.a The Crown Estate The foreshore of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is presumed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be vested in Her Majesty by right of her Crown so as to form part of The Crown Estate. The Crown Estate owns approximately half of the foreshore in the UK. In addition local authorities or other organisations now control other parts through leases from The Crown Estate which may or may not include the sporting rights. Following the introduction of the Firearms Act 1968 (1997), wildfowling was carried out over the areas covered by this lease on the basis of an agreement between BASC and The Crown Estate, whereby members of BASC would not be prosecuted for armed trespass when carrying shotguns on foreshore over which the sporting rights remain vested in The Crown Estate. This was known as the General Agreement. Whilst this agreement effectively allowed wildfowling to take place on Crown Estate foreshore, it did not permit implementation of management initiatives. The General Agreement came to an end in February Since 1994, all known available areas of Crown Estate foreshore notified as holding wildfowling interests have been subject to a procedure of the Joint Group for Wildfowling and Conservation on Tidal Land (JTG), working in partnership with The Crown Estate, Natural Resources Wales (NRW (previously Countryside Council for Wales)), Natural England (NE (previously English Nature)), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and BASC, to bring such areas under lease agreements. 1.2 Aims The provision of traditional wildfowling for members of Traeth Bach Wildfowlers Association (the club) consistent with the needs of nature conservation. 1.3 Objectives i) To maintain controlled wildfowling management on the Afon Dwyfor so as to promote the sustainable use of the wildfowl resource. ii) To carry out conservation measures and support monitoring for the benefit of the wildfowl population. iii) To provide wardening so as to discourage illegal and bad practice. iv) To develop wildfowling management consistent with the overall needs of the Afon Dwyfor foreshore. 2.0 AFON DWYFOR AND WILDFOWLING 2.1 Conservation Interest on the Afon Dwyfor Afon Dwyfor lies to the West of the town of Criccieth within Tremadog Bay. The coastline adjacent to the lease area forms part of Glanllynnau A Glannau Pen-Ychain I Gricieth Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), designated for its geological and 3

8 marine biological features. The SSSI citation notes that low shore bands of razor shell Ensis siliquosa and sea potato occur towards the western fringe of the Afon Dwyfor. Beds of common mussel are found at the river mouth. The Dwyfor maintains good stocks of sea trout and salmon. The proposed lease area does not form part of the SSSI, but the club is mindful of the local conservation interest. The foreshore/coastline does not form part of the network of WeBS Core Count sites. Counts were conducted on the Criccieth and Black Rock and Graig Ddu Coast up to 1990, but there are currently no counts taking place. 2.2 History and Pattern of Wildfowling on the Afon Dwyfor Coastal wildfowling has been practiced in the region for generations, with fathers passing on their knowledge and craft to their sons. The main quarry species on the lease area are mallard, wigeon, teal, pintail, Canada and Greylag geese. Club members from Criccieth and the local surrounding area wish to continue this tradition via a formal lease arrangement with the Crown Estate. 3.0 SITE INFORMATION 3.1 Site Location The site as shown on the maps in Appendix 1 comprises approximately 2 km of foreshore from Bont Fechan to the mouth of the river, adjacent to but not forming part of Glanllynnau A Glannau Pen-Ychain I Gricieth SSSI. 3.2 Description of the lease area The site covers an area of approximately 9 hectares (22 acres), consisting mainly of tidal river, with a mud/shingle bed. The site runs from the confluence of 2 principal tributaries, Afon Dwyfor and Afon Dwyfach, to the west of the village of Llanystumdwy. From here, the river meanders in a southerly direction towards Tremadog Bay, broadening as it approaches the estuary to approximately 100 yards at its widest point. 3.3 Wildlife interest on the site The foreshore is regularly used by a number of species of wader and waterfowl including mallard, teal, wigeon, Canada goose, greylag goose, oystercatcher, curlew, dunlin and redshank. Sea trout and salmon occur in the river. There are areas of phragmites reedbed in the upper reaches. 3.4 Factors Limiting Wildfowling Activity Legal The following is a list of current key legal requirements. It is not an exhaustive list and may change from time to time. All wildfowling is carried out in accordance with current legislation: i) The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (part 1) (as amended) (WCA), Protection of Birds Act 1954, covering species which may be shot, close and open seasons for wildfowling, and permitted methods of shooting. 4

9 ii) The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (part 2) (as amended by the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000). iii) The EU Habitats Directive 1992, EC Bird Directive 1979 (amended 1991, 1994), The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (the Habitats Regulations ) (SI No. 2010/490) as amended, and Countryside Rights of Way Act iv) General licences are renewed annually in Wales and available on the Welsh Assembly Government website. The licences include all year round control of pest birds such as Canada geese, carrion crows, magpies and woodpigeon. v) The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 schedule (1) (as amended), the Ground Game Acts 1880 and 1906, and Hares Act 1848, for the control of ground game. vi) vii) viii) ix) The Firearms Acts 1968 amended 1997, which controls the use of all firearms. The Environmental Protection (Restrictions on use of lead shot) (Wales) Regulations 2002 (see Appendix 7). The restriction on shooting game on Sundays under the Game Act 1831 does not apply to snipe and woodcock as they are not defined as game in the act. The Protection of Birds Act 1954 prohibits shooting on Christmas Day. x) Under the the Wild Birds (Sundays) Orders, 1955 to 1963, there is no currently shooting permitted on Sundays in this county. xi) Statutory cold weather bans under Section 2(6) and (7) of the WCA (see Appendix 5) Physical The tidal nature of the river provides natural restrictions to shooting at certain times. The river is prone to flooding from time to time Public Access Public footpaths run along both sides of the river, and are practically adjacent to the course of the river in places. The path from the Criccieth direction, which follows the beach then runs adjacent to the river before splitting north to Aberkin Farm, is part of the new Welsh National Coastal Path. The footpaths are used infrequently by dog walkers, bird watchers, walkers, and fishermen, mainly during the summer. The fishing season ends by 16 th October. There are no watersports on the river. In general, wildfowling takes place outside the normally accepted leisure periods. That is, during winter in the period around dawn and dusk Public Safety or Nuisance There is little cross over between the fishing season (March to October) and the wildfowling season (September to February). There are no buildings, residential or agricultural, bordering the lease area. 5

10 3.5 Wildfowling Access There are 4 main points of access to the site, as shown on the maps in Appendix 1: 1. Public footpath to the estuary from A497. Parking for up to 10 cars, and permission to pick up shot birds from the adjacent landowner. 2. Public footpath to the estuary from A Access from Criccieth car park along Welsh National Coastal Path. 4. Private access to the foreshore from A497. Parking for 2 cars on the farm track, and permission to pick up shot birds from the adjacent landowner. A list of club members names, addresses, telephone numbers and car registration numbers will be given to relevant adjacent landowners before the start of the season each year. 3.6 Other Uses of the Foreshore Llanystumdwy and District Angling Association, based in Criccieth, hold the fishing rights on the river. The Association sells day, week and season tickets. The main catch is sea trout, and there is little overlap between the trout fishing season (March to October) and the wildfowling season (September to February). The club s extensive experience of wildfowling at Treath Bach and Afon Artro, where trout fishing also takes place, indicate that conflict of interest is unlikely to arise between these activities. 3.7 Adjacent Land Use All of the land bordering the proposed lease area is fields, with no adjacent residential areas. Sporting rights at Tynymorfa and the adjoining Wergloddiau fields are managed by a local BASC member. The member has already corresponded with BASC and the club about this lease proposal, and a meeting was held at the beginning of July TRAETH BACH WILDFOWLERS ASSOCIATION 4.1 History and Background Traeth Bach Wildfowlers Association (the club) was founded by Derek Thomas Jones, the current Club Secretary. Formed in 1983, with 40 founder members, the objectives of the club are: 1. To encourage the association of wildfowlers and other sportsmen on key local areas. 2. To uphold and protect the sport of wildfowling 3. To assist the legal protection and conservation of wild birds 4. To foster an interest in wildfowl ornithology 5. To obtain suitable affordable shooting rights for its members The club is managed by elected officers; President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Social Secretary, and eight committee members. Each member of the committee oversees a specific club activity: shoot management, gundog training, feeding and management of flight ponds and marshes, clay pigeon shooting, pest and predator control, and public relations. The officers and committee meet regularly and are responsible for the day to day running of the club. There are currently 40 members of the club and 1 junior member. The majority of members live locally. A maximum 12 members who live local to the Dwyfor will be permitted to shoot on this site, which will not be available for club day permits. 6

11 Junior members who have a valid shotgun certificate undertake intensive training on safe shooting, gun handling, and quarry identification. They are then accompanied and supervised by an adult (usually father and son) before permission to shoot is granted. New members are normally introduced by existing members or by contact through BASC. All have to meet strict club requirements, pass safety and quarry identification tests, and undergo a period of twelve months probation. During the long club history, there has been no incident or accident to blemish its good name. Though affiliation to BASC, all club members are covered by third party insurance up to 10,000,000 when engaged in shooting or conservation activities. 4.2 Shooting and Conservation Experience In 1984 the club secured a licence from NRW (then Nature Conservancy Council (NCC)) for the sporting rights on part of Traeth Bach, much of which falls within the Morfa Harlech National Nature Reserve. In 1991 the club secured a sporting rights lease from directly from The Crown Estate over the remaining areas of the estuary. Additionally, the club obtained a Crown Estate sporting rights lease on the River Artro in All of these sites are SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), and the club is therefore well versed in dealing with conservation designation requirements. The club has other sporting shooting interests beside wildfowling, including clay pigeon shooting, pest and predator control and gundog training. Clay pigeon events promote good marksmanship and safety whilst giving the younger members the opportunity to develop their shooting skills before entering the sport of wildfowling. The club is affiliated to The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), and is a member of the North Wales Joint Council of Wildfowling Clubs. The club liaises with NRW about conservation projects on its sites, particularly the control of problem species (ie corvids and mink) for the benefit of other wildlife. In 2003 the club built a multi-catch crow trap that is moved around farms bordering the Artro and Traeth Bach estuaries using a trailer provided by NRW. In October 2003 the club joined the Keep Wales Tidy Coastcare Group, and has since been involved in two projects including the removal of 5 scrap fiberglass boats on the Artro. The Club Secretary is an honorary NRW warden. The club has previously arranged a mink raft building day with BASC s North Wales Biodiversity Officer for other wildfowling clubs, fishing associations and NRW Wardens. The club is a member of Keep Wales Tidy, and arranges regular litter pick days each year on its existing lease areas and this would be extended to the new lease on the Dwyfor. The club also organises litter picks on an area of North Wales Wildlife Trust foreshore at Penrhyndeudraeth and undertakes corvid control on Forestry Commission land. 7

12 5.0 MANAGEMENT 5.1 Background and Current Levels of Shooting Coastal wildfowling has been practiced in the region for generations, with fathers passing on their knowledge and craft to their sons. The main quarry species on the lease area are mallard, wigeon, teal, pintail, Canada and Greylag geese. Club members from Criccieth and the surrounding area wish to continue this tradition via a formal lease arrangement with the Crown Estate. The club will closely monitor wildfowling returns on this site over the proposed initial 3 year lease. At the next lease renewal it should be possible to establish base-line wildfowling returns data to secure a longer lease term. Wildfowling activity tends to fluctuate in accordance with natural influences such as numbers of quarry species visiting the site, tidal/weather combinations and participation levels in that year s club membership. Excessive disturbance on any site will result in the decline of the quality of the sport and is, therefore, bad for both the wildfowler and wildfowl. Wildfowling visits and bag returns will be reviewed on an annual basis, and at club committee meetings during the season to ensure sustainability. 5.2 Management of Shooting Shooting on this site will be restricted to a maximum of 12 local club members, and the site will not be available for club day permits. All shooting on this site would be by shoulder gun only, using shotguns not exceeding 8 bore and non-toxic shot. Under the Protection of Birds Act 1954 shooting is prohibited on Christmas Day. Currently, the Wild Bird (Sundays) Orders, 1955 to 1963, prohibit shooting on Sunday s in this county. In accordance with NRW guidance, the club operates a ban on the shooting of Greenland Whitefront geese. Should WeBS counts commence on this site (see Section 2.1), the club would liaise with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) and The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) to ensure that members refrain from shooting on such days. The club has agreed rights to retrieve shot birds from adjacent land with two of the neighbouring landowners. Club members must carry membership cards and shotgun certificates when shooting on club landholdings. Members are requested to keep their guns in gun covers until they are a safe distance from the car parks and public view. Anybody shooting on the site is required to read and sign the club s Health and Safety Policy and return it to the issuing officer. Dogs are kept on their leads until on club landholdings, and everyone is expected to respect the rights of the adjacent landowners. Club committee meetings take place regularly during the wildfowling season when bird numbers, wildfowling activity levels and wardening feedback is discussed and acted on if necessary. At the end of the season each member sends in their wildfowling return to the Club secretary/wildfowling returns officer. BASC is sent these returns and produces a summary report for the JTG, which includes NRW representation. 8

13 5.3 Conservation Management The club recognises that the conservation needs of quarry species must be fulfilled and that the sport of wildfowling can only be practiced in accordance with those needs and in recognition of the wider nature conservation interest of the site. The club would want to manage the site to ensure the continued attractiveness of the area to wildfowl. The club aims to rear ringed mallard for release onto the Dwyfor in similar numbers to the local adjacent landowner release programme. Since the site is mainly mud and sand flats, the scope for habitat management is rather limited. However, the club would be able to provide some of the manpower necessary for labour-intensive conservation management such as clearance of seaborne rubbish along the foreshore or any other scheme that is beneficial to the estuary. Any work would, of course, only be carried out after full consultation with relevant parties. In line with the clubs existing management practices mentioned in section 4.2, the club would actively manage litter on the foreshore and would control mink and corvids on the site. 5.4 Wardening Club members abide by club rules and BASC codes of practice, and would take an active interest in wardening the area. The sporting rights lease would enable the club to take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised shooting, with the assistance of appropriate local authorities. A list of club members names, addresses, telephone numbers and car registration numbers will be given to relevant adjacent landowners before the start of the season each year. Wardening helps to ensure that unauthorised shooting is discouraged, and use of the foreshore is monitored in terms of the number and behaviour of wildfowlers present. Each member of the club shooting within the site will act as a warden while on the foreshore, and be empowered to approach any person shooting and request proof of club membership. Illegal and indiscriminate shooting can be a major problem on sites that are not under wildfowling club management. This includes the shooting of protected species, out of range shooting, and excessive shooting caused by too many wildfowlers using too small an area. Offending individuals will be subject to the full penalties available to the club within the law, in their capacity as tenants of the sporting rights. 5.5 Monitoring The Club Secretary will collate member s wildfowling returns and forward these to BASC by the date specified in advance (currently 1 st April each year), for inclusion in the Annual Report to the JTG. These returns will assist in the ongoing monitoring of wildfowling activity over the site. A summary report on the activities of the club with respect to the site accompanies the club s annual wildfowling return to BASC. The wildfowling return forms can be found in Appendix 8. 9

14 5.6 Responsible Behaviour Should this lease application be successful, the club would have exclusive rights to shooting on the foreshore. All wildfowling would be carried out in accordance with the BASC Wildfowler s Code of Practice (see Appendix 3), Respect for Quarry Code of Practice (Appendix 4) and club rules (see Appendix 9). Problems of illegal or irresponsible shooting (as discussed in Section 5.4) should not, therefore, be an issue. The club gives high priority to educating new and existing members in proper wildfowling practice (see Appendix 9). 6.0 REVIEW OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN In order to ensure that management is appropriate to the maintenance and enhancement of the nature conservation and shooting interest of the site, this management plan will be reviewed as agreed between the club and The Crown Estate, based on the terms of the lease. 7.0 BUDGET This plan is primarily labour intensive. The rent and all costs associated with the implementation of this management plan will be met out of club funds. Some conservation work may be eligible for grants. 10

15 APPENDIX 1: MAPS OF LEASE AREA 11

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17 APPENDIX 2: Quarry species and Shooting Seasons APPENDIX 3: BASC Information Sheet BASC film Wildfowlers Code of Practice APPENDIX 4: Respect for Quarry Code of Practice APPENDIX 5: Waterfowl Shooting and Severe Weather BASC Information Sheets: o Voluntary restraint o Statutory suspension BASC film APPENDIX 6: Membership Insurance APPENDIX 7: Lead shot regulations 13

18 APPENDIX 8 CROWN ESTATE WILDFOWLING RECORD FORMS & INFORMATION (i) Club Letter To all clubs with Crown Foreshore Lease Agreements The British Association for Shooting and Conservation Marford Mill Rossett Wrexham LL12 0HL Telephone: Fax: enquiries@basc.org.uk Dear Club Wildfowling Returns Officer CROWN FORESHORE SHOOTING RETURN RECORD FORMS XXXX/XX SEASON Thank you for sending your club s wildfowling returns for the XXXX/XX season. The data from these returns are used to provide an annual report on wildfowling activity to the Crown Estate Commissioners. All clubs must submit fully completed wildfowling returns as a condition of their Crown Estate lease. Please encourage your club members to complete all the information on the forms as it will aid future management on your lease sites. Enclosed for your club is a Crown Estate wildfowling return form for the XXXX/XX season. On the reverse are instructions for each member on how to complete the form. Please note that the wildfowling return forms are now printed with the club and Crown lease site name, please see the instructions relating to identification of different areas within the site. We also enclose instructions for club secretaries. Please note the date for all returns to be forwarded to BASC at the end of the Season is 1 st April XXXX. In anticipation of your club returning the relevant paperwork, we would like to thank you for your cooperation If you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact me at BASC head office by telephone, letter or . Yours sincerely 14

19 CROWN FORESHORE WILDFOWLING RETURNS XXXX/XX (season) INSTRUCTIONS FOR WILDFOWLING RETURNS OFFICER DISTRIBUTION AND COLLECTION OF WILDFOWLING RETURNS Club Wildfowling Returns Officer should ensure that: each club member (or permit holder) receives a copy of the attached wildfowling return form and completes it as per the instructions on its reverse side for each visit made to any Crown Estate leased land, whether or not any shots were fired. different forms are used for different areas of Crown Estate leased land, as identified on the maps forwarded by the club to BASC before the start of the season, or club members clearly state on their form the different areas by name on a separate line. You will note that there are some slight changes on the form from last year. We have provided the option for a member to put either their name or a club-issued code on the form. This would depend on whether the club wishes to use this method. This addresses the concerns of some members who are uneasy about the fact that wildfowling returns with their names printed on them are sent to BASC. A code system provides anonymity in this respect. All individual forms are collated by the Club Wildfowling Returns Officer and returned to the Conservation Department at BASC Head Office by 1st April XXXX. All information received is treated in the strictest confidence, no individual s name or personal shooting record is associated with the results and report. The Club Wildfowling Returns Officer completes the management information form on behalf of the club at the end of the season, giving details of additional activities that have taken place over the Crown Estate leased area. This demonstrates how the club is actively managing the land and aids in the consent and/or leases renewal process. Please send the returns direct to BASC, Conservation Department, Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL for analysis. Any issues relating to your lease arrangements should be directed to the Conservation and Land Management Department. 15

20 APPENDIX 8 (ii) Member Return Instructions and Form Dear Club Member, Instructions for Completion of Crown Estate Wildfowling Return XXXX/XX Season Please read the following carefully This form is to be used to record your wildfowling activity on Crown Estate foreshore. If your club has a lease over more than one area of Crown Estate foreshore indicate this clearly on each form. 1. Do not record details of wildfowling activity on land that is not leased from the Crown Estate. 2. If you did not visit the site please tick the box at the top of the form and return the form to your Club s Wildfowling Returns Officer 3. It is very important that you record each wildfowling visit, even when no birds were shot or no shots fired. 4. In the AREA column please enter the appropriate number/name relating to the access point which you use. 5. In the FLIGHT TIME column please use the following codes: Morning Flight MF Evening Flight EF Tide Flight TF Night Flighting NF 6. If you stayed for more than one flight, please record each flight on a separate line. 7. The NUMBER OF HOURS SPENT ON FORESHORE column refers to the time spent on the foreshore during a wildfowling visit. This is measured from the time you enter the area of Crown foreshore to the time you leave that area of Crown foreshore. 8. Please also complete the NUMBER OF CARTRIDGES FIRED column. The information gathered in points 7 and 8 above are to provide additional detail on wildfowling activity on the foreshore, as requested by the JTG. This information would be useful for demonstrating the relatively low level of wildfowling activity on a site, compared with other user groups, where relevant. 9. This wildfowling return form must be completed and returned to your club s Wildfowling Returns Officer by March 29 th XXXX or as specified by your club. BASC must receive all return forms from each club by 1 st April XXXX. 10. All returns will be treated as strictly confidential. No individual wildfowler will be identified in any future reports or data use. If preferred, the club may wish to issue members with a code number, ie. club membership may be 30 that year, therefore codes 1-30 could be used, with the club member printing the code rather than their name on the form. Please discuss with your club secretary if relevant to your club. Your club is required to provide a fully completed wildfowling return for each member under the terms of its lease agreement from the Crown Estate. Please help us satisfy this requirement to do otherwise will jeopardise your shooting. Thank you and best wishes for the season ahead, BASC Conservation Officer. 16

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22 APPENDIX 8 (iii) Management Information Form Name of Club/Organisation: 2013/14 ANNUAL MANAGEMENT REPORT FOR SPORTING RIGHTS LEASES ON THE CROWN ESTATE FORESHORE Crown Estate Lease Site Name: Management Activity Description of work undertaken during 2013/14 when, where and by whom it was undertaken (if applicable) Wardening Give details of wardening schemes in place and any incidents reported Proposals for 2014/15 (if applicable) Pest & Predator Control Give details of numbers controlled and observed benefits Litter Clearance Record how many days took place and approx amount of litter collected 18

23 Management Activity Habitat Management Description of work undertakem, when, where and by whom it was undertaken (if applicable) ie. problems with erosion or Spartina, and any related management efforts Proposals for 2014/15 (if applicable) Management of Visitors ie. total visitor numbers, details of arranged visits to members of public and how these are facilitated External factors Provide information/observations on recreational and other uses of the site. General comments Completed by: (Block Capitals) Position in Organisation: Signature: Date: / / WILDFOWLING CLUBS: PLEASE RETURN TO BASC BY 1 ST APRIL 2014 OTHER ORGANISATIONS: PLEASE RETURN TO MARINE ESTATES, THE CROWN ESTATE BY 1 st APRIL

24 APPENDIX 9 TRAETH BACH WILDFOWLERS ASSOCIATION RULES OBJECTS OF THE CLUB 1. (a) To give the individual wildfowler advice in protecting his rights and maintaining the sport of wildfowling throughout the land. (b) (c) (d) (e) To enable him the better to protect his sporting interest against attacks upon the sport of wildfowling and shooting by various anti field sports societies and others. To protect and preserve and to foster an interest in wildfowl and wildfowling and the sport of shooting in general and to uphold the laws for the preservation of game and the protection of wildfowl and other wild birds and to suppress poaching. To foster harmony and understanding between those who shoot and those who in other ways are interested in ornithology and the flora and fauna of the British Isles. To give assistance to BASC and especially to the duck ringing and Viscera schemes. RULES OF THE CLUB 2. All officials shall be elected at the annual general meeting or at a special general meeting. There shall be a Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman and Vice-Chairman. All officials to be honorary. 3. Apart from officials there shall be a Standing Committee of eight members. The management of affairs of the Club shall be in the hands of the Committee. 4. The Standing Committee in its absolute discretion may on proof to its satisfaction expel any member for any misconduct which it considers to be contrary to the best interests of the Club or detrimental to the good name of the sport of wildfowling and shooting. 5. The Secretary shall at the request of any 3 members of the Standing Committee, forthwith call a Standing Committee meeting. 6. The duties of the Honorary Treasurer shall be to receive all monies for and on behalf of the Club, to give receipts for such monies and to keep all books relevant to that office. The Treasurer shall present properly audited accounts at each annual general meeting. 7. Every member becomes a full Club member of BASC and pay an affiliation fee decided by BASC. He will also pay an annual subscription to the Association, which will be decided at a general meeting. 8. All monies of the Club shall be banked at Midland Bank Limited (HSBC). All cheques drawn on the Club s behalf shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Secretary or either of the two named Committee members. 9. On admission every member shall be supplied with a membership card containing the Objects and Rules of the Club. 20

25 10. Resolutions at all meetings shall be decided on a simple majority by a show of hands. In the event of even voting, the Chairman (or Vice-Chairman in his absence) shall have a casting vote. 11. A declaration by the Chairman that a resolution has been carried or otherwise shall be conclusive evidence of the fact. 12. On written application by any eight members giving fourteen days notice, the Honorary Secretary shall call a special general meeting for the purpose of dealing with the specific matter contained in the application. 13. Each member must be in a possession of a valid shotgun certificate. 14. Rules may be made, amended or cancelled at the annual general meeting; or at a special general meeting called for that purpose 15. The ruling of the Standing Committee shall be final on all matters whether included in the above rules or not. 16. All visitors attending a shoot organised by the Club shall, on payment of entrance fee, become full members for the day of the shoot. 17. Any Committee member being absent from three consecutive committee meetings will, at the discretion of the Committee, be asked to resign. 18. Officials of the Club shall not be held responsible for any third party claims or liabilities, but the Club as a whole will be responsible. 19. No weapons other than smooth bore (8 bore maximum) guns shall be carried or used. 20. All members shall adhere to the Schedule 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act Schedule 2, Part 1. (a) No shooting on Sunday or Christmas Day. 20. All members shall adhere to Section 2 (1) of the Firearms Act (a) Payment of membership fees shall be made by the last day of May. Failure to do so may result in membership being forfeited. 21. Each member to complete a bag return, failure to do so will result in membership being forfeited. Footnote: Any breach of these rules above shall on proof, expel a member from the Club or render him liable to a fine. 21

26 APPENDIX 10 LIST OF CONSULTEES 1. The Crown Estate * 2. BASC * 3. Countryside Council for Wales * 4. Natural England * 5. Northern Ireland Environment Agency * 6. Cyngor Gwynedd Council 7. National Trust 8. Mr R Pierce 9. Mr H Richards 10. Mr P Parry 11. Mr J Hughes 12. Llanystumdwy and District Angling Association * Members of the Joint Group for Wildfowling and Conservation on Tidal Land (JTG) 22