An edition of the Tyne Tees Television current affairs programme ‘Briefing’ begins with a filmed report by Kevin Rountree on the problems of illegal salmon fishing both from driftnetting on the North Sea and along the River Tweed near the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland. In the second part of the programme presenter Ian Breach speaks with three of the region’s MPs about a turbulent year that has seen the transformation in fortunes for all three main political parties. One of the...

An edition of the Tyne Tees Television current affairs programme ‘Briefing’ begins with a filmed report by Kevin Rountree on the problems of illegal salmon fishing both from driftnetting on the North Sea and along the River Tweed near the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland. In the second part of the programme presenter Ian Breach speaks with three of the region’s MPs about a turbulent year that has seen the transformation in fortunes for all three main political parties. One of the MP’s being interviewed is the newly elected MP for Sedgefield Tony Blair. Title: Tyne Tees Title: Briefing In the Tyne Tees Television studio in Newcastle presenter Ian Breach introduces this first episode in a new series about the issue of illegal salmon fishing in the Northumberland border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. At a fish market recently caught salmon are weighed changing to the Royal Navy gunboat HMS Stubbington patrolling the waters of northern England accompanied by a helicopter flying past conducting aerial reconnaissance. The town of Berwick-upon-Tweed with swans swimming on the water changes to a street in the town with pedestrians and traffic moving past. From an aircraft flying above it a fishing boat at sea with reporter Kevin Rowntree providing details on an illegal industry of poached salmon which has grown in the past few years. On the Tweed Estuary men in rowing boat conducting traditional legal salmon fishing which is allowed for boat-and-net. From a window inside the office of the River Authority a Water Bailiff looks out with a pair of binoculars watching the legal fishermen on the estuary. He makes a radio call to a colleague in a vehicle parked near the water asking him to check on them. Interview with Andrew Veitch River Tweed Superintendent about the issue of Salmon poaching along the Tweed. Along a dockside local fishermen working on their boats. Interview with two of the fisherman with one not believe illegal salmon fishing is a prevalent as the Superintendent believes, while the other believes it is a conspiracy to get rid of him and his boat. Kevin Rowntree asks the first fisherman if he has ever poached, he admits he has and explains why. Laid out on a table recently caught salmon sitting on ice changes to Kenneth Anderson Managing Director of Berwick Salmon Fisheries PLC who is asked how much of effect illegal fisheries have on his business. He explains it does and provides details of why. Back on the estuary two men in a rowing boat lay out their nets, on the shoreline a third fisherman follows the boat holding the other end. The net is then hauled in containing the squirming catch. A montage of other licenced fishermen on the Tweed. Upstream along the Tweed a man stands on the banks fishing for salmon the only other legal way available, with rod-and-line. Nearby on the water in a rowing boat another man fishing. Interview with John Cheesebrough from Heritage Investments Ltd who defends their rights to rod-and-line fishing along this section of river and how the money raised through licencing helps the local economy. He also provides details with regards the issues facing his business due to poaching. Out in the North Sea the Royal Navy gunboat HMS Stubbington on patrol for illegal driftnetting. On board interview with Lieutenant Commander Vernon Edward who talks about what he sees as his job is to deter illegal fishing and about how this is done. As he continues to speak two small RIB or Rigid Inflatable Boats speed away from the Stubbington before speeding along the coastline. Flying around the Stubbington the helicopter seen previously. Back on the Tweed Estuary two Water Bailiffs patrol the waters in a launch, one of the men speaks with the shore base by radio. As the boat speeds out to sea, the film changes to a helicopter flying upstream along the Tweed passing over the Union Bridge. Returning to his office Kenneth Anderson of Berwick Salmon Fisheries PLC insists that rules applied to legal net fishing are strictly adhered to by his fishermen. He explains on Scottish rivers, to which the Tweed upstream falls, he is restricted to ‘ancient methods’ of two men in a boat with a net to go fishing. However, as Kevin Rountree explains the Tyne Tees cameras does capture images of a tractor being used on one stretch of the Tweed to drag a salmon net belonging to the Berwick Salmon Fisheries which is illegal. On being spotted the film crew drives away. Several other examples of what appear to be illegal fishing methods are recorded as well as a catch that was caught legally being hidden from the cameras due to the current sensitivity of the situation. Returning to Berwick, River Tweed Superintendent Andrew Veitch explains that anything that affects the number of fish making their way to the spawning ground is detrimental to the river, he provides further details. The two fishermen seen previously explains the benefits of allowing licenced netting from offshore boats as it would allow more fish into the river. On the quayside at Sunderland three local fisherman talk about the problems they have with how licences under English law for salmon netting are being issued. On the Wear a Northumbrian Water Authority (NWA) launch with the Chief Fisheries Officer for the NWA Tony Champions onboard explaining it is the law that is the problem with regards the issuing of licences. He provides details to Kevin Rountree about how the system works. Walking along the shoreline of the Tweed Andrew Veitch explains to Kevin Rountree why licencing will not reduce the problem of poaching. HMS Stubbington and its air support continues to patrol the coastal waters while back in the two the two fishermen featured in this report speak with one being fearful of taking their boats out to fish in case their nets are confiscated and the other seeing HMS Stubbington and its helicopter as propaganda. Title: End of Part One Part Two Returning to the Tyne Tees studio Ian Breach speaks with three Northeast MPs about a political year which has seen a transformation in all the parties’ fortunes. A clip from the Tory Party Conference from Blackpool in which Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher makes a speech about the new job in the service industries that have been created by her government. Returning to the studio Ian Breach asked Conal Gregory Conservative MP for York about Mrs Thatcher’s speech and her lack of acknowledgement of the issues facing the unemployed in the Northeast. Ian Breach explains that the Labour Party as principal party of opposition has seen their fortunes change with a rise in popularity amongst the electorate. A clip of a speech being made by its then new leader Neil Kinnock about the need for solidarity in order to defeat the Conservatives. Back in the studio Ian Breach asked newly elected Labour MP for Sedgefield Tony Blair if this new sense of unity be sustained. For a while, Ian Breach explains, the SDP-Liberal Alliance seemed poised as a new opposition force, but the hopes have not been fully justified. A clip follows from their conference in which it’s leader David Owen sets out the objects of the party to ‘link the politics of prosperity with the politics of poverty… toughness and tenderness is the key identity of being a Social Democrat’. In the studio Ian Breach speaks with Ian Wrigglesworth SDP MP for Stockton South on the perceived movement of Dr Owen and the party to the right. The discussion is opened to all three politicians. Ian Breach brings the discussion to a close and over a montage of still images of the man, Ian passes on his best wishes to Lord Emanuel Shinwell who will be celebrating his 99th birthday tomorrow. Over more images and with a voiceover by Kevin Rountree a look back of Lord Shinwell’s political career of more than 60 years. The programme ends with a look forward to next week’s edition which will look at the problems facing the regions coal industry through the eyes of Northeast miners and their union officials. Credit: Presenter Ian Breach Film Camera Eddie Crooks Sound Ian Richardson Editor Peter Telford Reporter Kevin Rountree Research Lynne Petrie, Michael Jordan Political Editor John Sleight Film Director Bernard Preston Studio Director Lisle Willis Producer Bob Farnworth End Credit: Tyne Tees Colour. © Tyne Tees Television Ltd. MCMLXXXIII