BLACK Rock lave net fisherman’s 2018 season is on hold while they await clarification from a solicitor about new conditions added to the fishery lease.

The new lease ‘negotiations’ were started in March last year with fishery owners Natural Resources Wales.

“We were assured there would be no changes to the very successful 2008 Welsh Assembly 10-year lease which first and foremost protected salmon stock (a maximum of five fish per month to be taken) but also protected our ancient lave net fishery,” explained Martin Morgan, secretary of Black Rock Lave Net Fishermen’s Association.

“The fishery – which has been recorded in the Severn Estuary since the 1600s - has thrived under this lease and we asked for no more than its renewal with no changes to its terms and conditions.”

Just days after the association paid its licence fees for the season, however, a letter arrived notifying the fishermen of additional wording relating to bye-laws.

Martin says these short notice changes ‘set alarm bells ringing’.

“We’re concerned about the implications of one clause in particular and the timing of its inclusion. We’re getting it checked out by a legal expert but time is short as the 2018 season begins on June 1.

“Although we have paid for new licences we can’t fish without the lease giving the owner’s permission.”

Martin’s great grandfather founded the Black Rock group in 1921 after returning from service in World War One.

“The fishery is currently thriving – with lots of interest from young people and on social media,” said Martin.

“In recent years, however, we’ve felt we always have this axe hanging over our heads and we need a 10-year lease for security.

“I think the only thing that will save this fishery for the future is public support.”

Chris Rees, Natural Resource Management Team Leader for NRW, said, “We have always been committed to renewing the lease on the same terms and conditions we’ve had in the past. A recent change in the wording is the result of changing our legal documents from our older Environment Agency versions to new, NRW-specific ones.”