The principal objectors to canoeing and kayaking on the river Itchen and Itchen Navigation are fisheries interests, and a whole host of excuses are propounded in support of exclusive use of the waterway, often focusing on a pretence of environmental concern.
One of the claims made by the young fishery employee who's threat's sparked this blog into life was that canoeists and kayakers directly disturb the shallow gravel redds in which a range of fish spawn, and cause siltation of the waterway.
Such arguments have little relation to reality as, even if failing to carefully enter the water, the amount of disturbance to muddy banks by paddlers would be wholly insignificant by comparison to the effects of a day's rain, let alone the impact of poor land management/agricultural practices. Damage to the banks by dogs entering the water is a far greater area of real concern than harm by paddlers.
Agricultural access to the Itchen Navigation from private land. The risk of erosion run-off was not created by paddlers.
Access to the waterway by dogs whilst being walked along the public footpath can also cause erosion and potential siltation (more on this in a separate post).
Once in the water, paddlers only require a minimal water level in order to avoid environmental harm. The BCU has stated that "Identifying a safe level to avoid coming into contact with gravel spawning beds should take into account the draught of a canoe/kayak is typically up to 10cm. This suggests that allowing at least a 15-20cm depth of water should be adequate to pass over gravel beds with the minimum risk of grounding. Care should be exercised using a paddle in reduced depth conditions to avoid contact with a gravel river bed, and it is recommended to revert to a paddle if poling an open canoe."
Environment Agency report W266 clearly states that "canoeing is not harmful to fish populations", and notes that the true cause of fisheries antipathy to canoeing is the fear of diminishing the concept of exclusivity to the waterway with attendant financial loss.
The Itchen fisheries represent one of the staunchest remaining bastions of elitist self-interest in England, but whilst they will hypocritically raise the pretence of environmental concern in justification of maintaining their position, it is not an area in which the considerate paddler should feel at any disadvantage.
One of the claims made by the young fishery employee who's threat's sparked this blog into life was that canoeists and kayakers directly disturb the shallow gravel redds in which a range of fish spawn, and cause siltation of the waterway.
Such arguments have little relation to reality as, even if failing to carefully enter the water, the amount of disturbance to muddy banks by paddlers would be wholly insignificant by comparison to the effects of a day's rain, let alone the impact of poor land management/agricultural practices. Damage to the banks by dogs entering the water is a far greater area of real concern than harm by paddlers.
Once in the water, paddlers only require a minimal water level in order to avoid environmental harm. The BCU has stated that "Identifying a safe level to avoid coming into contact with gravel spawning beds should take into account the draught of a canoe/kayak is typically up to 10cm. This suggests that allowing at least a 15-20cm depth of water should be adequate to pass over gravel beds with the minimum risk of grounding. Care should be exercised using a paddle in reduced depth conditions to avoid contact with a gravel river bed, and it is recommended to revert to a paddle if poling an open canoe."
Environment Agency report W266 clearly states that "canoeing is not harmful to fish populations", and notes that the true cause of fisheries antipathy to canoeing is the fear of diminishing the concept of exclusivity to the waterway with attendant financial loss.
The Itchen fisheries represent one of the staunchest remaining bastions of elitist self-interest in England, but whilst they will hypocritically raise the pretence of environmental concern in justification of maintaining their position, it is not an area in which the considerate paddler should feel at any disadvantage.
