Letter: Time for action to save River Severn fish stocks

Letter: As an angler, it is with some regret that I have to state that my love affair with the River Severn has just about petered out.

Some 70 years ago when I began to savour the delights of Sabrina and it's tributary the River Rea, fish were then abundant and the tackle employed was not as sophisticated as it is today, but one enjoyed far better sport in more pleasurable surroundings.

Recently I paid a visit to a former happy hunting ground of mine, the ex- old LMS water at Emstrey, Shrewsbury, which is now available on council permit. Small fish were notable by their absence, the luxurious green weedbeds had vanished, the stones beneath ones feet once clean and alive with small fry, now covered in a foul brown gunge.

For many years excessive water abstraction, fertilisers and pesticides have all done their share to demean our waters.

If commercial carp waters had never materialised and the clubs had remained on the river, maybe the curse of cormorants and goosanders, mink and in some cases, otters, would never have been allowed to decimate the fisheries.

I personally believe the council and the Environment Agency should need no further proof that drastic action for the Severn is needed now.

WH Harris

Shrewsbury