Angling Trust - Sea angling news

[Steve S]

Sea News Update   |   December 2023   Angling Trust leading a strong rebuttal to claims that Salcombe estuary can be netted sustainably     Devon and Severn IFCA have launched an online consultation, proposing the commencement of a six month winter commercial net fishery in Salcombe estuary. The Angling Trust is already working with other parties including the National Mullet Club, BASS, Wyvern Region and many more to build a robust and collaborative opposition, highlighting both the short-sighted nature of the proposed fishery and the damages it will cause to the recreational angling sector.       What a load of pollacks! Angling Trust urge minister to think twice on recreational fishing ban     The Angling Trust wrote to the Fisheries Minister, Mark Spencer, on behalf of our members last week to urge government to provide reassurances that recreational fishing for pollack will not be banned in 2024 following the latest ICES advice.       HAVE YOUR SAY   Skates and Rays Fisheries Management Plan     Recreational sea anglers are invited to share their views with the Marine Management Organisation as part of the Skates and Rays Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) which is currently in development. The Skates and Rays FMP will cover the Southern North Sea and English Channel – a vast and important region for recreational sea angling.     Southern North Sea Demersal Non-Quota Species FMP     Gurnards, Squid and Dogfish – but what about Smoothhound? Recreational anglers are invited to share their views with the Marine Management Organisation as part of the Southern North Sea Non-Quota Species Fisheries Management Plan which is currently in development.       VIRTUAL SEA ANGLING FORUM   An evening with FinVision - watch now on Youtube     Catch up with the latest Virtual Sea Angling Forum about how the Fisheries Industry Science Partnership is working with recreational sea anglers to identify essential fish habitat for juvenile recreationally important species like bass, mullet and flounder around the south west of England. Find out how you can become a citizen scientist and learn about fish ID.     CATCHWISE   Catchwise catch up - could you be a volunteer?         BLUEFIN TUNA FISHERY   DEFRA announces intention to establish Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Recreational Fishery in England in 2024     Three of the biggest stakeholder representative bodies in a future recreational bluefin tuna fishery have welcomed the publication by DEFRA of their consultation response and policy proposal setting out the intention to establish a Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Recreational Fishery in England in 2024.   However, they remain concerned the government has not fully taken on board the advice of those groups in key areas of fishery design. This risks a fishery that has minimal management measures in place to ensure its safety and sustainability, and secures high levels of fish welfare and valuable economic benefits.       BRITISH RECORD FISH COMMITTEE   Length based records for large shark species     Representatives from Shark Hub UK attended a meeting with the British Record Fish Committee to discuss fish handling and welfare issues and how the procedures for claiming British record captures of large shark species may be adapted to take account of best practice in catch and release of these fish. The BRFC will soon be introducing length based records for all of the sea species on the main list (not for mini-species). For the larger shark species – Blue, Mako, Porbeagle, Thresher and Six-Gill – there will only be length based records, with a requirement that the fish is measured whilst still in the water.       SPECIES HUNT     Despite the cooling temperatures the Species Hunt submissions have still been landing in our inbox . November saw over 100 species submitted proving the spirit of the Species Hunter is weather-resistant!   Leader board update for November   There’s not been much change at the top of the leader boards this month.   Elite League: Martin Avons has increased his lead slightly by two species taking his total to 66 and keeping him ahead of Simon Lancastle who is unchanged on 62 species. Senior League: Ben Price is out in front on 62 species, but Luke Woodford is chasing the top spot, increasing his tally to 56 in November. Alan Mundy has risen to fourth place after submitting five species this month taking his total to 47. Junior League: Reuben Judge has increased his lead from 32 to 34 species with no change to the numbers in the four spots below him.       Dave Cobb's Small Eyed Ray wins monthly specimen award   This month's specimen entries wowed us, but a huge shout out to Dave Cobb, whose Small Eyed Ray stole the spotlight, narrowly beating Nayan Gondouin by 2.5cm. Congratulations, Dave! Commiserations, Nayan – your time will come!   Thank you!   A heartfelt thank you to everyone for your unwavering support! Special kudos to Cedric Gondouin for treating us to breathtaking sunset pictures of Bournemouth pier. We love sharing in your fishing adventures!       SPECIMEN SEA FISH AWARDS SCHEME   Thank you to Eric as Trevor takes on sea fish awards     Our popular sea fishing awards programme opened on 1 December 2023, and we say a fond farewell to volunteer Eric Gerrey. Eric has managed the scheme for more than 12 years and hands over to Trevor Sutch.   The Specimen Sea Fish Awards Scheme is an annual competition opening 1 December and closing 30 November of the following year. It is open to all paid up members of the Angling Trust and members of our affiliated clubs.   The scheme is divided into two sections for fish caught from boats and shore with categories for both adult and junior anglers. Supported by Glasgow Angling Centre the angler who registers the best specimen of the month will be awarded a £20 gift voucher with five £75 gift vouchers up for grabs as a bonus end of season award.   Danny Williams, Angling Trust’s Competition Development Manager (Marine) said “It’s been my pleasure to work with Eric for the last three years. His attention to detail and expansive knowledge of the Marine Regions maps and the species sizes in each area has made the programme what it is. Eric was also instrumental in identifying Trevor as the scheme’s next safe pair of hands.”       MEMBER OFFERS   Get 20% off The Song of the Solitary Bass Angler   Angling Trust members can get 20% off all Merlin Unwin fishing and countryside books - including this fabulous read by James Batty, The Song of the Solitary Bass Angler. Batty seldom ventures further than 20 miles from his Cornish home, fishing from the rocks and beaches in a handful of places. Generous with his knowledge and full of fresh ideas, Batty catches bass with lures, flies and bait. It’s a myth, he says, that you need expensive gear – he beaches plenty of big bass yet is a tackle skinflint.   Click here for more details     Save £££s on DFDS ferry trips to Europe     DFDS have been voted the world’s leading ferry operator for 12 years in a row  - and now Angling Trust & Fish Legal members can travel to France and the Netherlands at discounted prices!   Whether you are looking to book travel for your fishing trip, holidays for the family or superb mini cruises, our DFDS partnership gives you access to Europe in comfort and style. Generously partnering with us to provide travel for our England teams, the fabulous team at DFDS have also agreed to offer exclusive discounts including: 10% off Dover-France ferry crossings 15% off Newcastle–Amsterdam ferry crossings 10% off Newhaven–Dieppe ferry crossings 33% off special mini cruise from Newcastle–Amsterdam         FUNDRAISERS   Take part in our Christmas Raffle - 24 great prizes!     Our Christmas Raffle is bigger than ever with 24 prizes on offer including £2,000 worth of Daiwa tackle of your choice, £500 of Korda tackle, a £300 Angling Direct gift card, a £264 Korum tackle bundle and a £250 Orvis gift card. Tickets are still just £2, and you can either buy them online or - if you are an Angling Trust member - send back the paper raffle tickets you received with this year's Angler magazine.         The Angling Trust's work is supported by our Trade Associates         Click on a logo to visit our Trade Associate partner's website       We are a not for profit organisation, representing anglers, fighting for fish, fishing and the environment. We are recognised by the Government as the National Governing Body for angling in England and partner with Visit Wales and Natural Resources Wales to promote Fishing in Wales. We are a member-based organisation made up of anglers of all disciplines providing a united front to represent, grow and protect our sport. As the National Governing Body for Angling, the Angling Trust requires all members who fish Angling Trust Competitions to abide by Angling Trust anti-doping policies and UKAD Anti-Doping Rules as adopted. Details can be found on the competitions section of our website or search “Anti-Doping” on our website. By becoming a member of the Angling Trust you are helping to protect the waterways you fish in and the fish which live within them, ensuring their health and protection for future generations. st email communications

[jerry.shutter]

Thanks Steve, we all need to keep ahead of legislation and put our point of view across.