One of the key themes within the Broads Angling Strategy is climate change and the impact salinity has across the Broads in terms of not only a fishery, but the wider freshwater ecosystem it supports.
Whilst we continue here and now the fight with Natural England on attempting to create something the Broads never was, it’s interesting to see where their stance is on saving the long term impacts from what is predicted as a 1 metre rise in sea levels.
The Broads Authority aren’t really the statutory body charged with this task, which sits with the Environment Agency and Local Authorities with any protected habitats having additional focus from Natural England. For many years this has been discussed and bounced around between organisations, with little outcomes.
Thankfully now both the EA and BA have made some progress with their Broads Futures Initiative (BFI). This still is in its infancy, but some clear building blocks are being formed and governance with a new stakeholder committee formed from across elected council members.
It wants to hear the views from stakeholders and local communities, regarding their priorities in a world where climate change might affect us in many ways including through the risk of flooding.
An online survey also represents the next step and the beginning of tailoring the engagement approach to specific groups. Building on this survey, they will look to focus our attention on particular topics and groups to understand in more depth the likely challenges posed by future climate change and flooding and the possible consequences of different flood risk management interventions. For example this could include those at higher flood risk and those with certain perspectives such as farming, recreation, business, conservation, and the youth sector.
Lots of anglers have a passion about this subject and here is a chance for your input and even take part in virtual workshops, in this COVID restricted time.
For more information on getting involved and completing a survey, please see the link below.
https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/looking-after/climate-change/broadland-futures-initiative
That’s all for now.
Kelvin
