History and Background

Pembrokeshire Wildfowlers Association is affiliated to B.A.S.C. (formerly W.A.G.B.I.) and began life in
Pembrokeshire as the Pembroke and District Wildfowlers Association in 1963. It developed through the endeavours of a nucleus of enthusiastic wildfowlers who, although individually members of the B.A.S.C., felt a growing need for an organisation at a more local level, which could represent their sport in the face of largely man-made
pressures. These included, for example, the development of Milford Haven as a deep water oil port and oil refining centre in the early 1960's, the building of a Power Station and the use of the estuary for refuse disposal at
Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock. Since its formation, the P.W.A. has become firmly established as the principal shooting interest within the Milford Haven estuary complex.

P.W.A. membership consists mainly from people living in Pembrokeshire , a small number live outside the county. While a vital interest in wildfowl and in wildfowling is, and will continue to be, the common link between members, wider interests of the Association have evolved to incorporate the management of roughshooting, approx. 1400 acres courtesy of Lawrenny Estate , and 200 acres courtesy of Mountain Park Farm which adjoins the P.W.A.
existing lease area.

The P.W.A. existing Crown leased area of the Creswell River and Garron Pill (10Km) was first obtained in March 1989. A further lease was obtained in conjunction with the Pembrokeshire Rod & Gun Club for an additional 32 Km of Crown foreshore covering several other areas around the Milford Haven Waterway. It has proved a success with wildfowlers and adjacent communities, the P.W.A. being praised in its management and control of shooting over the said areas. Its initial and continued wardening and conservation policies have proved to be manageable and
effective. The experience gained by P.W.A. in managing the existing leased areas will be invaluable to any further leasing of foreshore  it might undertake.

P.W.A. have found that a lease of foreshore shooting rights has enabled them to pursue their sport in an area which is managed by them and through the control of shooting and also through the management of the habitat and
maintaining the management of the natural resource have ensured its continued attraction to wildfowl. The P.W.A. recognise that the conservation needs of quarry species must be fulfilled and that the sport of wildfowling can only be practised in accord with those needs. P.W.A. has found that the management of foreshore enables this necessary balance to be pursued, where as it was previously difficult to achieve within the estuary complex of Milford Haven.

The P.W.A. wish to contribute to the preservation of wildfowl habitat and wildfowling in the locality of the Milford Haven estuary and they consider that one proven important route by which this can be achieved is through physical management of individual areas.

Summary Management

No Sunday shooting exists in the county of Pembrokeshire(1954 Bird Protection Act.)
Releasing 100+ mallard every year - These birds are ringed in association with BASC.
A bag limit of 6 wildfowl per day per person as club rules.
Active conservation measures include consideration for management of Zostera and control of Spartina, if
appropriate and with the advice from the relevant authorities.
The bag returns and management information will be included on an annual basis via BASC.
Relationships with and previous discussion over the wildfowlers activities have received support from the
Pembrokeshire National Park Rangers Service , Pembrokeshire National Park Water Ranger and a positive
relationship with the local police force exists.