ENVIRONMENT AGENCY ANNOUNCES NEW HEAD OF FISHERIES 6th February

The Environment Agency has today announced the appointment of Dafydd Evans as its new Head of Fisheries. Dr Evans, who has been with the Agency and its predecessors since 1990, joins from a year-long secondment in industry with Welsh Water. He will take up the post on 1 March 2004.



Dr Evans' most recent role within the Agency was as Head of Operations from 2002-03, influencing performance management, quality systems and incident response across £660m of the Agency's operational business. His previous positions in Wales and the North West region involved working closely on the ground with local angling interests and river trusts, and included responsibility for fisheries, conservation, flood defence and water resources.



Dr Evans said: “There have been a number of positive steps in recent years with regards to fisheries - such as the Government's Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review. Also the increases in both angling participation and licence sales is welcomed, the latter of which has made more money available to improve fish stocks and angling facilities.



“As the Agency's new Head of Fisheries my aim will be to build on these achievements and shape where we take fisheries in the future. Fisheries can have a hugely positive impact on the societies and economies in which they operate, yet this often goes unnoticed by the public and politicians alike.” Key priorities will be to promote integrated thinking around fisheries, and shape input into future decision making initiatives, like the Water Framework Directive.



Dr Evans has a PhD in Fisheries from Hull University. A keen angler himself since the age of nine, he is 35, married and lives in Newport, South Wales. He takes over the post from Dave Clarke who moved to the Environment Agency Wales in October of last year. Dr Evans said: “I recognise the significant contribution Dave Clarke has made to fisheries over the last five years and look forward to building on this success.”