A CANOE company has spoken out after human faeces and urine were found on land on the banks of the river Wye in Herefordshire.

Adam Fisher, who is the owner of Angling Dreams which is for fisherman to rent out a piece of his private land, has shared his concern over the amount he has found on his land.

He wants there to be more regulation over the number of canoes on the river at a time.

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Mr Fisher’s hope is that he can work with the Environment Agency and canoe companies to achieve this and have more toilet facilities along the river.

Wyedean Canoe and Adventure Centre has been running since 1987 and has been hosting canoeists to enjoy the river Wye.

A spokesperson from the centre said it had been working with Angling Dreams to move dangerous debris and trees from the river to keep people safe.

But the businesses have not worked together to regulate how many canoes are on the water.

“We firmly believe the river is a great natural resource and is there for everyone to enjoy, be it people paddling, swimming or fishing,” said the spokesperson.

“The thoughts seem to be very one-sided from the fishing point of view, they would like to see less people out enjoying the river.”

The company does not have a concern over the number of canoes on the water and believes canoeing is a good way to get fresh air, exercise and spend time with people after two years of Covid restrictions.

The river Wye has a historic free right of navigation, and it is important that is protected so that future generations can enjoy it, said the spokesperson.

There are specific points along the river with parking that are open to the public.

“There are few people that do park just anywhere,” the spokesperson said.

“Both fishermen, walkers and canoeists park along the riverbank, it would be unfair to say these are a mainly canoeists.”

The company believes it is not only canoeists that may leave things behind on the riverbanks, but fishermen also lose equipment, and has found a swan strangled with fishing line wrapped around a tree branch.

Wyedean Canoe and Adventure Centre carry out litter picks along the river from canoes multiple times a year and ask all their customers to “take nothing but photos and leave nothing but memories”.