Trawling for public opinion
Jun 27 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal
ANALYSIS of the responses to the Tyne Rivers Trust trawl for views range from those who are willing to agree to the new dredging window, given the improved dredging methods and protection measures, and those who say the changes should be resisted.
At the trust’s last board meeting it was agreed that the trust’s “line in the sand” was that it did not support the change in timing but action should continue to be concentrated on boosting the scope and quality of precautions to be applied if the Environment Agency gives consent to the dredging change.
The board took note of all of the concerns raised, including the impact of the trailing dredging suction tube across the river and impacts on shad, a protected species.
Responses included:
Timing of dredging:
“Apart from the timing (September) I think we have an improved position,” (North Tyne riparian owner).
“Hopefully they will delay the work to avoid this most crucial and sensitive time in the river’s year” (another North Tyne riparian owner).
“Any proposed threat to the migration of fish would have a direct and negative impact upon the opportunity for fishing and thus tourism within this area,” (tourism provider, Falstone)
“The new methodology would appear to be an improvement but the new timing could potentially be a disaster,” (landowners’ representative body).
Monitoring/ emergency procedures:
‘‘Wider monitoring should be in place to capture dispersal effects further away from the dredging site – additional acoustic tagging and tracking of fish in the estuary should be carried out to achieve a greater level of understanding of the effects of the dredging.” (Association of Rivers Trusts)
‘‘There does not seem to be any provision for any emergency rescue procedures in event of any disaster, other than stopping the process. Responding to a reduction in dissolved oxygen levels may (be) acting too late and responding to a reduction in fish numbers over Riding Mill would certainly be too late,” (angler).
Disposal site:
“This turns the dock into a huge settling tank. (commercial fisherman)
