Birmingham Anglers Association

I cannot believe that any angler would even try and condone this habitat destruction! Lets see what the implications are;

• Destabilisation of the riverbank leading to collapse and silting
• Silting up of gravel spawning beds
• Removal of buffer zone between agricultural land and the river
• Reduction in pollutants removed by the buffer, for example phosphates
• Source of food for animals and fish
• Disturbing otters
• Disturbing wild birds (including nesting at this time of year)
• Removal of shade promoting heating of the river and excessive weed growth
• Removal of refuge for fish and fry from flooding
• Removal of refuge for fish and fry from predation
• Speeding up the river in times of raised river levels leading to increased risk of flooding further downstream (especially Evesham where there is a constriction)

This is not managing, this is destruction and that the landowner is likely in receipt of payments to manage the riparian vegetation makes matters worse. This vegetation has been of no issue for many years why destroy it? The harm to the fishery will be long term, it will not quickly grow back see attached photos from 4 years ago! I don't hold much hope the EA will actually get anything done but at least they are equally outraged.

To show just how 'fast' it grows back image 2059 is me fishing in 2015. The area was cut in 2016 and 4 years later looks like image 1308. The chub shoal has not returned either, strange that.