Even more surprising is the lack of consultation and research, especially with anglers and the Governing Bodies.

As I originally understood, at the sinking of the HMS Scylla, the wreck would be for the benefit of everyone, of which included Angling.

I am particularly disappointed with the Council due to the fact that we have been working hard in this very area this year, promoting angling, especially when the majority of forward thinking councils would seem to support angling and recognise the benefits, not just for young people, but for the whole local community and local economy.

Angling seems to be one sport that can help combat boredom and anti social behaviour in young people, and by banning Angling they increase this risk in their local community.

As Governing Body coaches we have put on angling taster days in conjunction with the Environment Agency, plus coaching days including regular weekly coaching at a local coarse fishery ( Bake Lakes) a couple of miles up the road, our cross section of people have included persons with special needs, persons with learning, mental or physical disabilities and persons with behavioural problems. Although this has been freshwater coaching, a lot of the anglers because of the area have also been Sea Anglers or expressed their interest in Sea Angling and would like to be able to exercise this right, which has been available to them for many hundreds of years.

If a ban was successful local anglers would have to travel a long distance to Sea Fish, this unfolds a large problem for any person who is young, disabled or does not drive, this would be very unfair and borders discrimination against these anglers.

In the S.West alone I have recorded over 1,500 individual coaching sessions (mainly newcomers) since Jan 04, not taking into account the individual coaching sessions conducted by my coaches within their own communities and Clubs.

I think these figures help to show how popular Angling in the community is and gives a sound basis for not banning any form of Angling.

If this ban goes ahead we have unjustly lost 5 Miles of Sea fishing for ever, albeit not good angling, but any ban is a ban and can trigger a start of things to come, including a victory and a starting point in the eyes of the anti, therefore I strongly believe we cannot allow any "Angling Bans"

My way forward for conservation would be to improve the habitat, banning angling is not the answer .The key to a thriving aquarium in the Sea is to create a protective environment, this means sinking more wrecks, making lots of new artificial reefs by placing boulders or manufacturing hollow structures to form rocky areas or long reefs, similar to building Sea defence walls but submerged.

I don't believe that flat baron sand will give the protection or a permanent home to a thriving marine population, no matter how long you leave it.

Yes I know I am dreaming as this all cost money, but I wonder how serious the Council really is about real conservation?.

This issue all seems to be swung in favour of the Diver, I wonder if the council have plans to sink a wreck for an Angling only area.(No Boats, Jet skis, or divers, now I know I'm dreaming) , Or a community bus to transport locals and tackle to and from a fishing venue.