Threat to Stour

[Jerry G]

To RHYC members and all who sail in the Orwell, Stour, Walton area.  Be aware that there is a proposal to install 5 large areas of commercial mussel beds in the Stour estuary between Shotley and Stutton Ness.  Full details at http://www.qualitysolicitors.com/parkinsonwright/sectors/environmental-and-planning-law/fishery-order-application-the-river-stour-mussel-fishery-order-2015 .  As usual the proposed order was apparently announced by a small ad in the East Anglian Daily Times about a month ago so local clubs and their members have only just become aware of it.  Any comments or objections have to be sent both to Defra and the solicitors by 6 April (full details in the above link) so if you have any views on this act now.
This will mostly affect the many yachts that use the Stour but the large number of marker buoys and crab pots (used to catch predator crabs) will be a big obstruction to dinghy sailors as well.
Sorry to use the N12 website for such a general item but I feel it important to spread the word.

JerryG ex-3500 3365 2997 2782