Saltwater Boat Angling — December 2017

A note about a ‘situation’

encountered by Mark Vale

skipper of Shoreham based

boat She Likes it II

We’ve often stated that charter

boat and their skippers are the

‘lifeblood’ of the sea angling business. Without these guys

and gals tens of thousands of anglers would never get the

opportunity to sample the sport on offer

around our coasts.

Most skippers on the south coast have

now got used to the construction

disruption caused by the Rampion wind

farm 8 miles off the Sussex coast. While

under construction all boats were

banned from entering the area. So, all

the skippers trade was being restricted

and along with a lot of other commercial

users of the sea. One skipper, Mark Vale

based in Shoreham on She Likes It II

quite understandably applied for, what

was modest, compensation for

disruption to his business.

He was somewhat surprised that he has had his

application for this compensation refused by E ON.

Instead, the company advised him, in a message

delivered via his local MP Tim Loughton, to take

advantage of the “opportunities and benefits” available to

him in taking sightseers around the project.

Compensation has been paid by the developers to

commercial fishing and dive boats but not to angling

charter boats.

So, Mark then contacted the Angling Trust legal team at

Fish Legal who made representations on his behalf and

submitted a complaint to the Information Commissioner

after E. ON refused to supply environmental information

in connection with this enquiry, following a subsequent

ruling an “’Information Notice’ was served by the ICO. 

As Mark says “The Rampion construction site is having a

significant impact on the inshore areas I have traditionally

fished and taken my customers to. Within the wind farm

itself, there are numerous fishing marks and shipwrecks

which in the course of a fishing season I would take my

customers to. Again, because of construction activities

and cables lying on the sea

floor, this has not been

possible. I do not believe it is

too much to ask to be

treated as fairly as

commercial boats in the area

and to receive the same

recognition they have.”

Well said Mark!

Frankly it is ridiculous that he

is not treated in the same

way as other commercial

vessels operating in the area

and the response of E. ON

was that they were

“unwilling to consider what they term ‘co-operation

payments’ in Sussex Fishing’s case.”

As Fish Legal put it “It’s plainly ridiculous for E. ON to

suggest that our member should change his business

from recreational fishing to becoming a tour boat for

wind farm tourists. They should pay him reasonable

compensation and stop refusing to provide

environmental information, which both we and the

Information Commissioner believe they are required to

do by law.”

So, this leaves Rampion with a potential PR disaster and

Mark out of pocket – a sorry situation for all parties.

We’ll keep you posted.

Saltwater Boat Angling 27

Mark Vale - She Likes It II

She Likes it II ready to go

U

ntil recent weather turned boats fishing close

inshore in the north east had been doing quite

well with codling averaging 3lb to 5lb with the

odd bigger fish coming to the net.  Unfortu-

nately, the majority of catches have been undersized

codling, but mixed in with them there have been pouting,

coalfish, wrasse and some decent whiting.  

Good baits have been crab, lug, mackerel strip and worm

baits with Sidewinders accounting for the bigger fish.The

best areas have been out of Amble, the back of the Co-

quet Island and off Cresswell Carrs. Further south boats

fishing the Yellow Can area have had some decent sport,

while Sunderland boats have had their best catches close

in off Marsden and to the south of the harbour.

The Tyne charter boat "Kelsey Leigh" has had some de-

cent fish recently. Gateshead angler Anthony Brown had

ten double-figure fish including a 16lb cod and 17lb

ling. Kelsey leigh is a 36ft Pro Charter berthed in the Royal

Quays, North Shields, She is fully licensed and

insured. You can contact the Skipper, Lee on

0797-4252450. Lee is planning to do some up-tiding

over the winter months so if you fancy that get in touch. 

Corporate absurdity

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