FISSTA are delighted with the excellent response to their call for all affiliates to close their fishing waters since 28th February 2001. The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources Mr Frank Fahey has signed an order to take effect from 3rd March until the 20th April. This has put very serious pressure on our FISSTA club members who have local tourism operations such as hotels and guest houses contacting them seeking advice and confirmation on the closure of their fisheries. The most asked question this week is "what do we do with a group of anglers who cant fish"? FISSTA will continue to liaise with the local tourism producers and explain the very serious position we are all in while the threat of FMD is still rampant in the UK. Anglers have a very special relationship with the farming community and support them in the first line of defence at such times as these. Where needed anglers have and will assist farmers on the ground daily. The maintenance of our country as a disease free nation is paramount and takes priority over the temporary loss of revenue angling clubs and their producers in the tourism industry are suffering at this stage of the season. Angling Tourist bookings up and until the 20th April have now been cancelled in many places as the Ministers Order outlines and all that is now required is that we maintain the vigilance already demonstrated by angling clubs to date until further notice to be issued by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources