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About UUFA

The United Fishermen’s Association was formed 160 years ago to conserve and enhance salmon and trout habitats. By the turn of the 20^th Century the Association had created one of the best known and most productive fisheries in the British Isles.

In the 1950s the Association successfully campaigned for the establishment of a compensatory hatchery at Abercynrig (near Brecon) to replace smolts destroyed in the Uskmouth Power Station cooling water process. It was built and operated by the Central Electricity Generating Board until generation was terminated at Uskmouth when it was sold to the NRA.

In recent years, during the period of decline of the salmon fishery, the Association has supported measures by the NRA and latterly the EAW to conserve MSW salmon.

In 1991 to 1994 the Association was deeply involved in the campaign to oppose the Usk barrage proposal. The Association was a major objector at the Public Local Inquiry to the River Usk Barrage Order in 1994. It was represented by Counsel, with expert witness contributions covering the impact on migratory fisheries, angling, Newport’s planning case, and the economic justification for and against the barrage. The Association felt that the successful result more than justified expenditure in excess of £100,000.

Later our Committee encouraged and helped the Countryside Council for Wales in their successful notification of the river as a Site of Special Scientific Interest so that it would never again be faced with the threat of a similar project. As a result the Usk is one of few rivers in Wales designated as a Special Area of Conservation.

In 2002 the Association successfully promoted the idea joining the Wye Foundation Charitable Trust which initiated the Usk Project to restore tributaries using the well tested formula of removing blockages, coppicing and fencing to improve the ecology and greatly expand the spawning and juvenile area available for salmon and brown trout working with many important partners. Over £1.1 million has since been spent on Usk tributaries. The UUFA remains totally independent in its contribution to the work undertaken by the Wye & Usk Foundation.