An RFCA position on access to waterways, LNRS and protecting the Ribble fishery
The Environment Agency has recently launched a new “Blueprint” to expand citizen science across England’s waterways – Launching BluePrint: Expanding citizen science across England’s waterways
At face value, this is a positive step.
Anglers, clubs and fisheries have always been the eyes and ears on the water. The more structured opportunities there are for responsible citizens to report pollution and environmental concerns, the better.
However, as always, the key issue is not how reports are submitted.
The key issue is what happens next.
Why RFCA Built Its Own Reporting System
The Ribble Fisheries Consultative Association established its own Environmental & Illegal Fishing reporting system several years ago.
We did so because:
- Our members are on the river daily.
- Fisheries are long-term asset custodians.
- We wanted proactive awareness of incidents affecting the Ribble catchment.
- We believed local visibility improves environmental outcomes.
Where reports come through RFCA, we are immediately aware.
We can assist, provide local intelligence, and help ensure appropriate escalation.
Over the past 5–6 years, we can point to multiple examples where this additional layer of local awareness has strengthened response and follow-up.
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The Importance of Transparency
Citizen science must not simply become another mechanism for data to enter a central system.
Transparency and timely catchment-level visibility are essential.
RFCA has previously analysed Category 1 and Category 2 pollution data for the Ribble catchment. That analysis provided valuable insight into patterns and risk areas – but it was historical.
Effective river protection requires:
- Timely access to information
- Clear categorisation processes
- Defined response expectations
- Mechanisms for escalation where local intelligence suggests greater severity
Without these elements, reporting risks becoming reactive rather than preventative.
Protecting Local Catchment Awareness
Our position is straightforward:
We support citizen science.
We support improved reporting mechanisms.
But we must ensure that new structures do not reduce local awareness or weaken catchment-level oversight.
The Ribble has experienced sustained pressure on salmon stocks and wider river ecology. In such circumstances, clarity and partnership working are not optional – they are essential.
A Constructive Way Forward
RFCA has written to the Environment Agency seeking clarity around:
- What data will be shared with catchment partners
- In what timeframe
- In what format
- How incident categorisation operates
- How reclassification and escalation are managed
We have also proposed the development of a simple Memorandum of Understanding to formalise data sharing and operational coordination within the Ribble catchment.
This is not about confrontation.
It is about governance, transparency and ensuring that citizen science genuinely strengthens environmental protection.
Our Commitment
RFCA remains committed to:
- Working constructively with regulators
- Supporting anglers and clubs
- Promoting evidence-based river management
- Protecting the future of salmon and river biodiversity in the Ribble catchment
Citizen science is only powerful when it leads to meaningful outcomes.
We will continue to ensure that the voices of those on the river are heard – and that reporting leads to action.