Dear friends,

Our associative fishing has entered the third millennium. The framework in which it's promised to evolve is in turmoil. Its future will depend on our capacity to preserve our natural riches and to protect our environment. Because we know today that our resources are not inexhaustible. Taking in the concept of durable development, we can perfectly use them for our needs without compromising the chances of the future generations. To face this evolution, our best assets are anticipation and the capacity of evolution which we will be able to develop.

Our departmental plan of management, on which are based our fishing grounds, must in the long term enable us to ensure an increased protection of our rivers. Educational actions in favour of young people, practised on location on river banks and in educational circles, must very quickly increase the awareness of a new generation of anglers, more concerned by the aquatic environment and environmental protection.

Last but not least, the fishing tourism plan, developed in association with the General Council, will allow us to build up new fishing sites, more pleasant and better adapted at the request of the anglers. French associative fishing, represented by its National Union, is going through a difficult period due to the management of several major files: the insidious and chronic pollution of the rivers, the building project, by the Minister for the Environment, of 500 new micro power plants which will kill our rivers, the regulation of the cormorants and the temperance of the increase in the piscicultural taxes paid by fishermen and intended to finance the Higher Council of Fishing. Solidarity between the union and the anglers is essential in order for us to defend our values and stand up for our rights.

Gathered in your associations which are the A.A.P.P.M.A., you mean a lot to us, and let us wish you pleasant fishing parties on the splendid rivers of the Alpes-Maritimes.