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
News
Blue fin bonanza.
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
The future of recreational sea angling and what the Fisheries bill could deliver for sea anglers.
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
The campaign has started in Dorset over Marine Conservation Zones
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
New CEFAS report into sea anglers attitudes released
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
DEFRA backs down over ‘absurd and illogical’ Charter Boat ban.
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
What can we do about Supertrawlers?
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
Highly Protected Marine Areas – are they a threat to angling?
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
Government holes charter boats below the waterline
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
We Will Fish Again
When We Fish Again After nearly two months in lockdown, we can now get out on banks, beaches and in boats, but only on a limited basis. To make sure the voice of angling was heard the Angling Trust lobbied the government with a detailed plan on angling resumption – details of this effort here READ MORE