Chairman’s Report

The Chairman opened by quoting the Associations mission statement: “To conserve and enhance the native fish-stocks and the natural habitat of the Frome, Piddle & West Dorset Rivers”

He then looked at the strategic moves in our joining the West Country Rivers Trust and the South West Rivers Association. He announced that Richard Slocock was to become a Trustee of W.C.R.T.

Secondly he itemised the practical aspects of our work:

The Riverfly partnership being run by John Aplin & Richard Slocock, looking at the invertebrate life of the rivers. He asked for further volunteers to take part in this national project. Please contact John Aplin or Richard Slocock.

• The sea trout tagging work in conjunction with thanks to Barry Bust & Bill Beaumont.

• Redd counting & gravel washing by John Aplin. Once again 44 redds were found above Dorchester, thanks to Loud’s Mill fish pass.

• River Brit barrier removal: He reported the sad loss of John Hughes but welcomed the support of Geoff May and Roger Genge in getting Jessops Weir passed and the Association has been able to obtain the funds to cost out the work for Palmers Brewery Weir.

• Poaching: We continue to put pressure on the Poole Harbour Authorities, E.A. and police to control poaching.

• The salmon run through the counter for 2009 was 602 fish. Not very good!

• Pollution: Two cases of pollution from Warmwell gravel workings. Hopefully the E.A. will take the necessary action, both were reported by members.

He went on to thank the E.A. for the excellent work that had been done at Woodsford and John Aplin reported that a new redd site had been identified at the site.

He praised Bill Beaumont and Anton Ibbotson for their work on the tagging of 10,000 salmon parr.

He thanked Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, West Country Rivers Trust, S.W.R.T. the Wild Trout Trust, Dorset Wildlife Trust, the E.A. and the committee and it’s collective wisdom.

Following the speakers The Chairman invited Chris Rothwell to make a presentation to Richard Slocock in recognition of his hard work on behalf of the Association.