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Wild salmon stocks crash

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sharkWE KNOW in west Wales rivers the decline in salmon runs and are causing great concern to anglers. Now it seems the UK and Welsh Assembly Governments are seeking answers to this problem. The Angling Trust, Angling Cymru with other organisations are demanding urgent implementation of an action plan. 

Following official figures showing the worst estimates of salmon stocks on record, a coalition of concerned angling, fisheries and conservation groups has written to Fisheries Minister George Eustice and to Edwina Hart in the Welsh Assembly to demand urgent implementation of a five point action plan to halt the sharp decline in salmon stocks in England and Wales. The Angling Trust, Angling Cymru, Afonydd Cymru, Atlantic Salmon Trust, Fish Legal, The Rivers Trust, and Salmon and Trout Association have urged the Government to take the five remedial actions that are urgently needed to restore stocks of this iconic species to rivers and protect them for future generations. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) annual assessment of salmon stocks and fisheries in England and Wales in 2013 estimates that only 19 of the principal 64 salmon rivers in England and Wales reached their conservation targets, compared to 42 in 2011. This is the equal lowest number since conservation targets were introduced in 1993. Overall, the number of salmon estimated to be returning to England and Wales in the last two years was amongst the lowest on record. The report does not expect a significant improvement in stock levels. Since the 1970s there has been a 40% decline in the number of salmon returning to our rivers each year, despite the much-publicised return of salmon to previously polluted rivers such as the Tyne and Mersey. Coaching of potential anglers is important to our pastime. Adults and children can bring in new blood to angling. Cymru Angling, which represents all three disciplines, holds training courses for anglers who are interested in becoming a coach. Details can be had for west Wales on www.training.anglingcymru.org.uk . After the extremely hot weather we now have rain and already the rivers are running coloured. After a few days we should, hopefully see good runs of fish. Nine Oaks Fishery: The poor weather earlier in the month seemed to have stopped the Carp spawning. Now that the weather has turned warmer there are plenty of Carp moving in the margins, others sunning themselves on the surface. Floating baits give tremendous sport, especially early morning and afternoons onwards through the evening. Having said that plenty of good, hard fighting Carp, cracking Roach, some Tench and quite a few Barbel from the margins on traditional baits, including frozen Mussel with which Bill Baker the fishery owner caught his best Barbel to-date in the Main Lake. Considering they were stocked a little over two years ago as fingerlings, they have grown considerably since then, as have the Chub as well. Trout fishing has slowed with the recent bright skies and warmer weather. From now until the end of August, trout fishing as everywhere will be poor. Worming and spinning now an option. We would be pleased to receive reports on fishing, including pictures. Please send them in by Monday for the next publication.

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Sport

The stage is set – Senior Cup Final

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It’s the time of the year again, Saturday see’s Bridge Meadow host the senior cup final. The sun has been shining and both teams will be dying to get on the pitch. This year the final will be contested by Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road.

League champions Goodwick will go into the final as favourites, and most around the county expect a Goodwick win. It has been an outstanding season for Goodwick however cup success has evaded them so far. Clarbeston Road have impressed everyone this season and really deserve their place in this years final.

Neill Crawshaw will referee the game, with Tudor Walters and Stefan Jenkins running the line.

There will be a unique contest on the pitch as brothers Will Haworth and Laurie Haworth come face to face on opposing teams. Adrian their father was a great player in the county, and played in many cup finals himself.

The stage is set, Clarby will feel less pressure than Goodwick and will be a threat with Haworth, John and Davies in attack. Meanwhile Goodwick are also blessed with quality players in every department, there is no weak link in O’Sullivans team. Cup football and finals in particular never go as people predict. On paper Goodwick are firm favourites, Clarbeston Road will be happy the game will be played on grass though and not paper, anything can happen! Hopefully it’ll be a good crowd down at the Meadow for the show piece of Pembrokeshire football.

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70 Pembrokeshire clubs benefit from Sport Wales funding

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SEVENTY Pembrokeshire clubs have been successful in receiving grants from the Be Active Wales Fund over the last financial year.

In total the clubs received more than £407,800 from the grants scheme from Sport Wales in 2023/24.

The fund backed 25 different sports, ranging from archery, basketball and cricket to sailing, short mat bowls and weightlifting and everything in between.

The Be Active Wales Fund is open to applications from not for profit community clubs and groups to help develop and sustain their activities.

Grants range from a minimum of £300 up to a maximum of £50,000.

The scheme will support coach education courses, the purchase of essential items of equipment right up to larger projects such as floodlighting and boats for sailing clubs.

For advice and support with your application contact Alan Jones or Lois Hilling at Pembrokeshire County Council’s Sports Development department, Sport Pembrokeshire on [email protected]

The Be Active Wales Fund is always open for applications.

More information is available on the Sport Wales website.

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Sport

Clarby stand in the way of Goodwick double

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Two thrilling semi finals last weekend has meant Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road will meet in the senior cup final this coming Saturday.

Goodwick faced Pennar Robins in their semi final who pushed the champions very hard. Carl Vincent will be disappointed but proud of the Robins as they gave a great account of themselves. However in the end Goodwick’s quality and experience just was too much for Vincent’s team.

The other semi was an absolute thriller, and after a nail biting game Matthew Fox’ Clarby progressed to the final. A offside call has sparked a lot of debate around the county. However it seems that linesman Jenkins made an absolute perfect call so credit to him for that.

Both teams would have wanted a nice week of preparation for the final, maybe without any games to play. Unfortunately this hasn’t been possible due to the fixture backlog and both outfits have played already this week.

Goodwick will be favourites of course, however if anyone can upset the apple cart Saturday it’s this Clarbeston Road team. Fox’ outfit have impressed over and over this season. Without too much pressure on them, they are in a good place going into the final.

The double at one staged looked like the minimum Goodwick would be aiming for this season. However losses in other cup competitions, means its Senior Cup success or just the league title for the outstanding team of the season. Oddly becoming champions with no cup success maybe seen as a huge disappointment considering their dominance this season. A unique pressure. However if anyone can handle that pressure it’s O’Sullivans outfit.

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