EA backs down over Broads barriers

THE BATTLE to stop fish barriers being placed around an important bream spawning site on the Norfolk Broads took an important twist this week after the Environment Agency admitted to ignoring suggestions made by its own fisheries team about the dangers of such barriers.

Earlier this year the EA granted Natural England a permit to block off Hoveton Great Broad in order to ‘combat turbidity and promote better weed growth’.

The Angling Trust and Broads Angling Services Group challenged the EA’s plans and, following a judicial review, it looks likely that the permit will be removed, as Fish Legal solicitor Justin Neal revealed. He said:

“The EA Fisheries team warned the higher powers at the Agency of the impact these barriers could have, but none of this information was made available to the public. The EA has admitted to failing to properly consult on the application, and it now looks likely that the court will approve an order to quash the permit.”

Hoveton Great Broad would have been blocked off