News

IFCA’s have reached their tenth anniversary, and as a result are recruiting new members for their committees. Recreational angling has been woefully under represented on these crucial bodies meaning that very often we have no voice over local management regimes. There are ten IFCA’s in England (Scotland and Wales have their own management regimes) Cornwall, READ MORE

Following the announcement of a second lockdown, starting on November 5th, the Angling Trust was able to clarify, very quickly the rules relating to recreational angling. They have offered some initial guidance and interpretation of the guidelines. Formal notice will be available once they have had further consultation with the DCMA and Sport England. Overall READ MORE

These amazing fish have made a spectacular return to our waters but what is their stock status and is it possible we’ll be able to catch them any time soon? As I write this I’ve heard about a massive shoal of hundreds of blue fins spotted by Looe based skipper Murray Collings while he was READ MORE

Tim Macpherson looks at how DEFRA are now engaging with recreational sea anglers to create a World Class Fishery. For those of you who do follow my blogs on angling and angling politics you will be aware that over the last year or so the Angling Trust has been engaging closely with the fisheries team READ MORE

With the passing of the deadline for submissions on advice from Natural England about the latest tranche of Marine Conservation Zone designations the next phase of the process of consultation is on the horizon As always, all the various interest groups are gearing up to try and find a way of preventing restrictions on their READ MORE

Tim Macpherson comments on the latest research released by CEFAS into sea anglers. New research, carried out by CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) and research specialists Substance, in to the attitudes of recreational sea anglers reveals that anglers want greater consideration of their needs and better regulation of commercial fishing practices. Well READ MORE

Great news for charter boats, after putting pressure on DEFRA to clarify their guidance news guidelines have changed to allow boats operate. This will; come as welcome relief =to hundreds of skippers and thousand of anglers across the country. Here is the statement from the Angling Trust. Following a campaign by the Angling Trust and READ MORE

A few months ago, angling centric social media platforms (and some conservation related ones too), were aflame with rage about the supertrawler Margiris (and its sister boat), working off the Isle of Wight hoovering up shoals of fish. At the time I wrote a blog trying to clarify some of the facts about these boats READ MORE

Tim Macpherson gives his view on the Benyon Review of HPMA’s The government recently released The Benyon Review into Highly Protected Marine Areas. It was the result of a nearly year-long informal consultation process involving all manner of marine stakeholders, including anglers – its objective was to answer the following questions: What are Highly Protected READ MORE

The Angling Trust spent a lot of time and effort, alongside the Professional Boatman’s association, and in conjunction with Charter Skippers from around the country, working out a protocol for them to able to start operating again. It was accepted by the DCMS and subsequently added to the advice available on the Government website. So, READ MORE