FOREWORD
The sentence “Much-loved British birds and wildlife are at risk of national extinction, whilst our rivers, lakes and seas have unacceptable levels of pollution” could suggest that wildlife in our rivers lakes and seas are not wildlife in the context of this consultation. The connection between land and the water draining it, and the impact of land use on aquatic animals and plants, not least native fishes, requires that a Land Use Framework (LUF) recognises that natural ecosystems include aquatic ecosystems draining land. Many fish species are now endangered.
Accordingly, the IFM suggest that fishery owners and angling groups are brought to the table as part of this national conversation.
You can read our full response below