Latest Angling Trust News - Sea Angling

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Welcome to your Sea Newsletter   Fisheries Bill update: debated in the House of Lords The Fisheries Bill has been debated in the House of Lords this month as it makes its way through parliament before becoming law. Following briefings by the Angling Trust a number of Lords have spoken up in support of recreational fishing, such as Lord Cameron of Dillington who said: “The socioeconomic benefit of recreational angling to coastal communities is huge. Even in 2012, the latest year for which I could get hold of statistics, the sea angler spend was £2.1 billion locally, supporting more than 20,000 local jobs.” If you haven’t read it already, you can read David Mitchell’s article on the importance of the new Bill in our 2019 sea angling magazine on page 4-5 HERE. Angling groups call for catch & release tuna tagging project The Angling Trust and campaign group Bluefin Tuna UK have written to Defra calling on the government to sanction a new catch & release tagging project for bluefin tuna in UK waters in 2020. The project would allow recreational anglers to contribute much needed ‘citizen science’ by tagging and releasing bluefin tuna in order to provide crucial data needed to manage the stock. Read more HERE. Getting families into fishing   Check out our new film about the hugely successful family fishing days at Shoreham Port in West Sussex. If you haven’t already, make sure you read our article about these, and other events aimed at getting more kids and families into fishing, in our 2019 Sea Angling Review magazine. Recycle your fishing line Are you recycling your fishing line and spools? There are now hundreds of recycling bins located across the country where anglers can take their unwanted line. And if there's not one convenient to you, there's the option to post it. All the information about how to get involved can be found on the Anglers' National Line Recycling Scheme website. More info Devon and Severn IFCA proposes permits and bag limits for hand gathering The Angling Trust is working on a response to the D&S IFCA proposals to permit commercial hand gathering activities within the district. Alongside the proposals for permits are proposals for restrictive bag limits on recreational gathering. The proposals have generated a lot of controversy within the sea angling community. For more details visit the IFCA’s website. Keep your eyes out next month for details of the Angling Trust’s response. Trust responds to Southern IFCA proposals The Angling Trust, in partnership with the National Mullet Club and a number of other partners, has submitted a response to the Southern IFCA’s revised net fishing bylaw proposals criticising the proposals in a number of different areas. You can find our response HERE.   Wessex Marine Region – notice of AGM The AGM of the Angling Trust Wessex Marine Region will take place at: 7pm on Friday, 20th March at The Elm Tree, Hightown Road, Poulner, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 3DY. Sea angling will be facing an increasing number of challenges over the coming years and it is important that we have a strong voice regionally. There is currently a pressing need to reinforce the Angling Trust Wessex Marine Committee to ensure that we are well represented at all levels locally and able to better represent local clubs and anglers wherever the need arises. The AGM is open to all members of clubs affiliated to the Angling Trust and all individual members of the Angling Trust. Please try to come along and give your support.   Specimen Award Scheme There were 116 entries from 17 clubs in January with whiting again being the dominate fish being caught. However, the winner of the Seniors this month is Ms Ellen Stockley of Brixham SAC, who caught a thornback ray of 18lb 0oz 1dm from the shore at Salcombe, giving her a percentage of 180% for Area C. Sixteen junior entries from five clubs were also received with the winner being Joshua Johnson, from Rodbenders SAC, who caught a whiting of 1lb 12oz from the shore at Mountbatten, Plymouth, giving him a percentage of 175% for Area C. Matthew and Luke still lead     Matthew Phillips headed up the leader board in January with an impressive 61 species while Luke Bowerman is still the young man to beat with 45 species in the juniors. The best specimen in January was this cracking 51cm ballan wrasse caught by Simon Gavey from Jersey. Follow us on Instagram Join the Facebook group Sea fishing events for beginners Will your club be running any sea fishing events for newcomers in 2020? Let us know the details and who to contact – email admin@anglingtrust.net Fishbook - show us your catches! Our series of web pages provides info about the most popular angling species. We need pictures of you with your best fish to show others what they can catch – please email to admin@anglingtrust.net International Sea Angling teams selected Following the England Selection Committee meeting held in Lymington, the Marine National Teams and Competition Group of the Angling Trust are delighted to announce the International teams for 2020. See selections here Ladies ... your chance to fish for England The Angling Trust is seeking any talented lady shore anglers who would like to take part in the FIPS-M 28th World Ladies Shore Championships in Mimizan, France from 19th-26th September and the SALC Ladies Home Shore Nation Championship in England. If you would like to apply, or know someone who might be interested 16 years and above, please email sandra.johnson@anglingtrust.net for further details or an England application form. Please note, anyone successful in being selected must have individual membership of the Angling Trust. You can join here  - and you can claim a fabulous free gift, too! 'How to' guide to coarse, sea and game fishing - order yours now The Get Fishing book is perfect for beginners and those who have been fishing a couple of times and want to take it further. The book outlines what you need to know to experience the joy of getting out there and enjoying a day or a few hours fishing – whether it’s catching mackerel, pike, trout or carp! Written by Allan Sefton and endorsed by the Angling Trust and our Get Fishing campaign, you can order your copy online for just £9.99 from Merlin Unwin Books – and Angling Trust members will receive 20% discount. Alternatively, clubs and coaches looking for multiple copies should get in touch with the Get Fishing team via their website here. Health survey - please help. Win a £200 Amazon Gift Card too! We need you to do our quick survey so we can find out how many people who go fishing are affected by their health or disability. It doesn't matter what your level of health or ability is and even if you took part last time we need you to do the survey again. It only takes about four minutes and the answers will help create better angling opportunities for you and other people. At the end you can choose to enter our prize draw for the chance to win a £200 Amazon Gift Card - it's completely free to enter! Volunteering: Watch the video and download your copy! The Angling Trust has produced a Volunteering Best Practice Guide in partnership with the Environment Agency and funded by fishing licence income. The guide is essential for clubs and fisheries who work with volunteers - download your copy now!

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