Latest Angling Trust News - Sea Angling

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See the lengthy CEFAS Sea Bass survey 

Welcome to your Christmas Sea Newsletter   Fisheries Bill Update   The Angling Trust has been in Westminster twice this month giving evidence about sea angling to both the Fisheries Bill Scrutiny Committee and the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. We are leaving no stone unturned to make sure recreational fishing gets its voice heard as the new Bill is developed.   Click here to read more Seeing Red Over Diesel   A European Court of Justice ruling is banning the UK from allowing recreational vessels from using red diesel for ‘propulsion’.    The Angling Trust has written urgently to HMRC explaining the huge and unnecessary cost implications this could have for UK boat anglers. We are currently working with partners to find a solution.   Read our letter Licensing Exemption For Recreational Boats   In a move to support boat anglers we’ve backed a proposal by the Marine Management Organisation to make recreational vessels exempt from needing a license for the in-water hull cleaning of lightly-fouled vessels.    Read our response Sandeel fishing threat   We are working hard to kick out an amendment to the Fisheries Bill that could ban anglers and bait companies from fishing for sandeels. The proposal would stop UK fishers fishing commercially for Ammodytes marina but would also ban the small-scale and sustainable fishing for Ammodytes tobianustoo.   We are working with Ammo Baits to fight this off on behalf of the bait industry and recreational sea anglers.   Ring Netting Consultation   Thanks to all those who supported us and submitted a response to the Southern IFCA’s netting consultation. We know many anglers - sea, game and coarse - came together to campaign against the proposals to allow ring netting in the rivers and estuaries of Hampshire and Dorset.   BASS NEWS Three Bass Bag Limit In 2019   The Angling Trust is in Brussels this week for the annual Fisheries Negotiations where EU ministers will agree bass fishing measures for 2019.    The Trust and BASS are campaigning for a three-fish a day bag limit for seven months in 2019 plus restricting fixed netting to a percentage of their catches. More news to follow over the coming days. Bass Survey   Sea Bass Fisheries Conservation UK (SBFC UK) are looking for fishers, both recreational and commercial, across the in England, Ireland and Wales to complete their survey. SBFC UK is a project tasked with gathering data  to help improve future sea bass conservation and management. Take the survey Species Hunt News   Well done to Ollie Mears and Dylan Hough who are still topping the species hunt leader board this month.    Congratulations to Matt Smith too, November's Specimen Winner with a (not so) small-eyed ray! Matt caught the specimen from Minehead on a pulley dropper rig using a whole sandeel for bait.    Keep up with the Species Hunt on Facebook   Personal Accident insurance and lifejacket offer   As the sea gets colder and rougher it’s a good time to remind everyone to wear a lifejacket. Don’t forget, Angling Trust members, and members of member clubs engaged in club activity, benefit from personal accident insurance but must make sure they are wearing a lifejacket.   We’ve teamed up with www.lifejackets.co.uk to offer members 10 per cent off the Harveys range of lifejackets. Login to the members’ section of the Angling Trust website to find out how to take up this great offer. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!