Save the Norfolk Broads!!

[Baitbucket]

The Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain claims some of Britain's most important pike fisheries are under threat from plans to abandon sea defences and has launched a campaign to save the Norfolk Broads.

Proposals to allow the Upper Thurne system to be flooded by the sea have been discussed by the Broads Authority, Natural England and the Evironment Agency.

If they are put into action, the PAC fears Horsey Mere, Hickling Broad, the Martham Broads and Heigham Sound will be lost forever within a generation.

Whole villages and thousands of acres of farmland will also be flooded or turned into salt marsh.

PAC president Phil Wakeford said: "In 2007, we warned that historically important fisheries and nature reserves were at risk from proposals to cut sea defence budgets. Our worst fears have now been confirmed.

"While the Upper Thurne system is a unique fishery which has produced some of the biggest wild pike ever landed in the world, it also contains internationally-important nature reserves which are of key importance to over-wintering wildfowl.

"A number of villages will also be abandoned if this plan is given the go-ahead. We understand other options, including maintaining sea defences, were also tabled but rejected.

"We have today launched an online petition as the first stage of a campaign to save the Thurne and its broads. We call upon anyone who loves this unique environment to join us in the fight to save it."

The petition can be found on the Ten Downing Street website at Petition to: Save the Norfolk Broads.
Three record pike, each over 40lbs, were landed from the Thurne system, inspiring generations of pike anglers to visit Norfolk. Pike fishing remains an important revenue earner for the county, along with bird watching.

The 2500-strong Pike Anglers Club has campaigned to protect the pike and pike fishing since it was formed in the Fens 30 years ago. Last year it played a leading role in a successful campaign to save the Cambridgeshire Lodes.
SO PLEASE GET YOUR NAMES DOWN......

[Nosher]

Well done, Baitbucket.

As a resident of a Broadland village, keen coarse & sea angler this would be devastating for the freshwater sport, let alone the other wildlife that thrives here in the Broads National Park. Letting part of the Broads flood will also introduce salt & brackish water a long way into the system, and I think the so-called experts are only interested in saving the cost of improving and increasing the sea defenses, which is a very short-sighted view to take, as the knock-on costs to residents, visitors & wildlife is beyond monetary value. I have already signed the e-petition.

Nosher.

[flaky-jakey@hotmail.co.uk]

i dont fish there,

but ill join

[The Cornish Kingfisher]

Originally Posted by flaky-jakey@hotmail.co.uk

i dont fish there,

but ill join

It looks good. I'll put my name down, aswell and good luck with it!