Albifrons flavirostris

Whilst I agree with your sentiments that there should "not be a blanket ban to costal conservations zones", however the proposal from the Welsh Government is exactly the flip side to your statement, in that the Welsh Government wish to have a blanket ban on wildfowling, shore fishing, personal collection of bait and shellfish, mooring of boats, marine field study courses (Dale Fort, Pembrokeshire being one of the UK top study centers) etc. and any other activity that may well have public involvement in an intertidal environment. A question was asked on “how do they categorise the zones as to their ecological importance and habitat and what restrictions would be applied to the zones from their final categorizations” the answer was “not sure as to how they will go about this at present, therefore they are applying the worst case scenario to these zones by restricting all activities as a precaution measure”. Certainly, PWA would welcome protection against any significant extraction that would prove a negative effect on the ecology of the proposed sites but based on site specific scientific evidence but certainly not any further restriction on wildfowling which is heavily regulated under Ramsar, SPA, SAC and the SSSI designation through consents from CCW which proves wildfowling is sustainable in Pembrokeshire. We have more than enough data collected over the years to back up that statement and certainly more reliable than unqualified and unquantified data fed in MARXAN the computer that selected the focus sites for the proposed MCZ’s.

The approach being taken in Wales is not consistent with existing relevant international guidance on setting up of marine protected areas. Due to the very real threat to Pembrokeshire Wildfowlers' Association (PWA) future shooting clearly identified on Page 285 Table 3 – 18 Beggars Reach, 19 Pembroke, 20 Milford Haven and the map on page 291 Annex 5 Figure G, which forms part of the 24 Focus sites submitted to TAG - Welsh Goverment. Which clearly identifies in excess of 75% of PWA shooting areas and in excess of 66% of PR&GC shooting areas within the above proposed focus sites. Wildfowling is not commercial shooting, it is self-regulated with club rules along with nationally recognised and accepted codes of practice, maintain records of the numbers of visits, wildfowl taken and have regular review meetings with the Countryside Council for Wales office in Pembrokeshire. In addition, PWA carry out regular foreshore clean ups and assist local/national NGO’s with substantial research and data gathering both on and off the foreshore, all of which have proved to be sustainable and have allowed long term renewal of Crown Estate leases and consents from the Countryside Council for Wales. How ironic will it be that PWA, who will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2013 as a BASC affiliated club, may well lose its exemplary record in managing 42 km of the Milford Haven Waterway, along with its proposed joint ‘Snipe’ ringing research study project (Autumn/Winter 2012/13) with a local NGO because no importance was attached to the Welsh Government draconian proposals by the shooting community. I trust the above goes some way to address your question?

My son at the age of 16 was granted a firearms certificate. The conditions on his certificate showed my named rifles. In addition they were conditioned with vermin control, fox and deer. The main condition was that he had full use of these rifles under my supervision but no access to the rifle cabinet. Once he reached 17 he applied for my named rifles to be removed and to leave the calibers to be acquired under his own name without the condition of supervision. This was granted and he purchased his own gun cabinet and one of the named calibered rifles, the others remain on his certificate to be purchased. The advise I would give, speak with your FLO first as it will save a whole load of heartache later on.

Northern Ireland has been covered by BASC on all their updates. - Link here BASC Also if you check the NIEA site. - Link here NIEA they have the latest news. CNCC is the organisation that advises NIEA but it would seem that they are not up to speed, as it would also appear that no precedent had been set since your Northern Ireland Assembly was set up and the introduction of your wildlife order. If you are a member of BASC contact the NI office and they can bring you up to speed with the procedure. If you are not, then contact the association you are a member of or the NIEA or the CNCC. Hope this helps.

Check out this Link - All is explained. http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-2894