PLANS to regulate salmon and sea trout angling on Welsh rivers could have a catastrophic effect on tourism and the rural economy.

Members of the Teifi Trout Association have again raised their concerns about the proposals being put forward by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) – including a blanket ban on anglers taking any salmon they catch to eat and outlawing treble hooks of all sizes, bait fishing and barbed hooks for the next 10 years.

A consultation is currently being undertaken by NRW which closes on November 14. If the proposals are passed, they will be introduced next year.

At a meeting with Assembly Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire Paul Davies, members argued that such measures would hit not only the club and its future viability but also tourism in the Teifi Valley and throughout Wales.

Association members argued that ‘there will be a massive financial impact’ and would hit small businesses such a caravan sites, guest houses, local shops and pubs.

Local pub owner and angler Barry Hallam said: “Fishermen bring in £150m to the Welsh economy and it’s a big business. If this was a manufacturing business that was going to close the Welsh Government would move heaven and earth to stop it happening.

“They don’t seem to understand the implications of what will happen. Many fishermen come here with their families, hire static caravans and spend money in the local economy. If these proposals go through, as far as angling tourism is concerned it will be finished.”

Members agreed action was needed to help preserve salmon and sea trout stocks, but argued they had already introduced their own rules with restrictions on catches and the length of the season when fish could be taken.

They also argued for the re-introduction of stocking, which has proved highly successful elsewhere in the UK.

The association feared anglers were being viewed by NRW as ‘an easy target’ and draconian restrictions on them would not address the problems of pollution, over-fishing at sea, poaching and cormorant predation.

Mr Davies urged clubs, individual members and concerned businesses to contact NRW during the consultation period to voice their fears.

He promised to put the association’s views to the Welsh Government and added: “I feel the whole consultation is a sledgehammer to crack a nut.”