Angling Trust News Jan 2025

[Steve S]

EVENTS   Angling for Sustainability is coming to Lymington     Join us for another Angling for Sustainability workshop, this time at Lymington and District Sea Fishing Club on Thursday, January 23rd, 2025, from 6 pm to 8pm. This is your opportunity to get involved and learn about the exciting fish tracking work we've been doing along the south coast over the last two years in partnership with recreational anglers and charter skippers. Come learn more about where black bream, sharks, and rays go along our shores. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just passionate about the future of our seas, all are welcome to attend. 📅 When: Thursday, 23rd January 📍 Where: Lymington and District Sea Fishing Club For more information contact fishtracking@plymouth.ac.uk     Sign up now for the Angling for Sustainability and Pollack FISP final conference     Join us for the Angling for Sustainability and Pollack FISP final conference at the University of Plymouth on 12th February 2025. You can join us in-person (spaces limited) or online. We’ll be sharing the results of our exciting research, made possible through invaluable collaborations with recreational anglers. From black bream to sharks, rays, and pollack, our work on these recreationally important species has helped gather critical data that we hope will inform evidence-based fisheries management and protect these beloved species for the future. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate the power of community science in shaping sustainable fisheries.       VIDEO   WATCH: Angling for Sustainability - unlocking the secrets of our seas     Sharks, rays, and black bream are important to our seas, support many fishing businesses and are top angling species, but we know surprisingly little about their lives. Where do they travel? What habitats do they use? And do they return to the same breeding grounds each year? Through the Angling for Sustainability project, we’ve embarked on a mission to track these remarkable species. By tagging individual fish with high-tech trackers, we’re uncovering critical insights into their movements, nesting behaviors, and long-distance travels. Led by the University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Professional Boatman's Association, Southern IFCA, Natural England and the Angling Trust, our work with recreational anglers and scientists is shining a light on the connectivity between important habitats and helping inform sustainable fisheries. From cross-Channel journeys of black bream to tope swimming all the way to France, the results are fascinating. Learn more in our new video and stay tuned for exciting updates as we continue to track these incredible fish and work together toward preserving our seas for future generations     FISHERIES MANAGEMENT   Have your say on wrasse and bream fisheries     The Marine Management Organisation is hosting a series of workshops to hear from anglers like YOU about bream and wrasse fisheries and their importance. Don’t miss the chance to have your voice heard! Workshop Dates & Locations: Monday, 27 Jan 2025: 🕠 Plymouth (17:30-20:00) – Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth Tuesday, 28 Jan 2025: 🕠 Falmouth (17:30-20:00) – Chainlocker Pub, Falmouth, Cornwall Thursday, 30 Jan 2025: 🕠 Weymouth (17:30-20:30) – Ship Inn Pub, Weymouth, Dorset Your input matters – come along and share your thoughts!       ANGLERS AGAINST LITTER   Free litter picking kits and recycling bins for sea angling clubs       The Angling Trust is excited to offer free litter picking kits and Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme (ANLRS) bins to sea angling clubs as part of our Anglers Against Litter – Reeling in Change project, funded by the Marine Management Organisation's Fisheries and Seafood Scheme. This initiative is designed to support our Anglers Against Litter campaign, sponsored by Shimano and supported by The Insurance Emporium, helping even more anglers join the effort to keep our coastal areas clean and beautiful. If you're part of a sea angling club and are willing to commit to at least two litter picks per year, all you need to do is: Apply for one of these amazing kits. Share your litter-picking photos with us. Litter kits include Anglers Against Litter High Viz vests and litter pickers made from recycled fishing nets. The ANLRS network, set up by anglers for anglers, offers a fantastic way to collect and recycle old line to stop it going to landfill. Interested? Send us an email with your club details to aal@anglingtrust.net   Call for sea anglers in the South East to get involved in innovative pilot   Another exciting aspect of our Anglers Against Litter – Reeling in Change project, is the Angling Trust are working with the Reduce Reuse Aquatic Plastic (ReAP) in the South East of England to collect aquatic plastic collected by sea anglers during litter picks. Do you have a litter pick event planned in the next few months? We want to collect from you! A lot of plastic collected by volunteer groups are fouled and thus many rubbish collectors send this to landfill or to be incinerated. We want to showcase that there are better ways to tackle aquatic plastic, with the opportunity for all aquatic plastic to be recycled and turned into new products. Interested? Then please get in contact with our aal@anglingtrust.net email to find out more.     MEDIA REPORT   Thresher shark in Cornwall - our view   You may have seen some recent media stories about a dead thresher shark washing up on the beach near St Austell in Cornwall. There has been very little recreational shark angling in the region throughout December, and the injury the shark had would be extremely difficult for an autopsy to attribute directly to sport fishing as has been stated and reported. The Angling Trust therefore believes it is unlikely that its death was caused by recreational angling, as is being reported. No shark anglers want to see a sight like this, which is why the recreational shark fishing community in the UK has some of the strongest best practice guidance in place. Here's some key things to remember if you catch a thresher: Don’t bring them onboard. Revive them before release - tow the fish alongside the boat to help water flow over their gills. Use the right tackle: circle hooks, heavy line, and appropriate traces. Minimise fight time. Pull in gear if you see a thresher when trolling for tuna to avoid bycatch. Check out Shark Hub UK for more information on best practice handling and to read more about how scientists and anglers are working together to learn more about sharks in the UK to inform their conservation.       AWARDS   Angling Trust's own shortlisted for Ocean & Coastal Futures Bob Earll Award     Hannah Rudd, Marine Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Angling Trust, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Bob Earll Award, which recognises young professionals making a significant impact for marine and coastal communities.  As a passionate marine scientist, environmental advocate and young angler, Hannah is celebrated for her work in promoting sustainable fishing practices and fostering collaboration between anglers and scientists. Part of her shortlisting is in recognition of her dedication to marine conservation and her efforts to ensure recreational sea angling is represented in policy decisions. Hannah's nomination highlights the growing recognition of recreational anglers in marine policy, especially in promoting diversity and inclusion in the sector. The award winner will be announced later this month.       VIDEO   WATCH: Day in the life of a young angler     Some people are just naturally drawn to our sport and all that it offers. Lydia Thomas is one of those people. She's just 16 but is already an accomplished multi-disciplined angler. Follow Lydia, from sunrise to sunset on an angling adventure that takes her from river fly fishing to lure fishing at sea.     SOCIAL MEDIA   Keep up-to-date with the latest sea fishing news - join the Angling Trust Sea Angling Facebook Group     Stay up-to-date with all the latest sea angling news and join the conversation - become a member of the Angling Trust Sea Angling Facebook Group today!         TRADE PARTNERS   The Angling Trust's work is supported by our Trade Associates     Click on a logo to visit our Trade Associate partner's website