More than 7,000 acres of foreshore have been secured by wildfowling clubs, with help from the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). BASC’s wildfowling team has helped affiliated clubs secure sporting rights, leases and consent for wildfowling on six areas of foreshore in England and Wales in the past 12 months.
Two new areas have been secured – Crown Estate foreshore in Pembrokeshire and approximately 350 acres of saltmarsh in Gwynedd. Three of the leases are for 15 years and another is for 12 months. Since 2004, BASC has helped negotiate 44 wildfowling leases and consents in England and 17 in Wales.
BASC council member Mike Sherman, who is also chairman of Pembrokeshire Wildfowlers’ Association and vice chairman of Dyfi & Mawddach Wildfowlers’ Association, said: “The quality and consistency of advice from the BASC Wildfowling team makes the process of agreeing consents and leases with the Countryside Council for Wales and the Crown Estate uncomplicated and straightforward. With the assistance of BASC, the West Wales Wildfowling clubs have clearly demonstrated their commitment to protecting the future of wildfowling for generations to come.”
Mark Greenhough, BASC’s wildfowling officer, said: “We are delighted to have helped these affiliated clubs secure access to a total of 7,078 acres of foreshore. It will help to ensure that a sustainable and responsible approach is taken to shooting and conservation in coastal areas.”
ENDS