Angling Trust Sea Angling News March 2025

[Steve S]

Sea News Update   |   March 2025

 

SURVEYS   Cefas seeking to understand anglers' views, knowledge and compliance with regulations     The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) is calling on sea anglers to take part in a survey aimed at examining sea anglers' views, knowledge, and compliance with regulations in England and Wales. The survey seeks to gather essential feedback from sea anglers to understand how they receive, interpret and follow regulations. Participants will be asked about their knowledge of angling regulations, sources of information, perceptions of fishery management and experience as an angler. All responses are completely anonymous. This information will help to understand how best to share information on regulations and work with anglers to improve both knowledge and compliance.     Your views on pollack management     The Angling Trust is calling on the sea angling community to take part in a new survey on recreational pollack fishing. Open now until Sunday 23rd March, this survey is part of the Pollack Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) project. The research team behind the survey are not policymakers or fisheries managers, but the project’s findings will help inform discussions on the future of pollack stocks. The survey is an opportunity for anglers to have their say and contribute sustainable management of this recreationally important species. Pollack is a crucial species for recreational sea anglers, providing food, economic support for charter businesses, and valuable leisure opportunities. However, pollack stocks are in decline and there is a recognition by many within recreational angling that we need to play our part in its recovery too.       VIDEO   Dave Lewis reveals his special place to go fishing     Angling Trust Ambassador Dave Lewis has been a passionate angler for as long as he can remember. In this Angling Trust film released last year, Dave talks about his early years in angling, why Llangennith is a special place to him and shows us the art of touch legering.     BASS FISHING   All About the Bass: opportunity to make a difference     On 8th July 2024, passionate bass anglers, scientists and policymakers gathered for the inaugural “All About the Bass” symposium at the University of Essex. Organised by the School of Life Sciences in collaboration with the Bass Anglers’ Sportfishing Society (BASS), Cefas (the Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) and the Angling Trust, the event was packed with discussions on the future of bass fishing and conservation. This was a unique opportunity for those who care about bass fishing to engage directly with experts and decision-makers. Over 70 attendees discussed how to manage bass stocks effectively and improve the future of bass fishing in the UK, Europe and Ireland. The event had two key objectives: first, to share the latest research on bass, including new projects from the University of Essex; second, to explore how anglers, scientists and policymakers can collaborate to protect bass populations and enhance bass fishing.       ANGLERS AGAINST LITTER   Free litter picking kits and recycling bins for clubs     There is still time for sea angling clubs to apply for free litter picking kits and Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme (ANLRS) bins 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   Innovative plastics project in the South East   An 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 contact our aal@anglingtrust.net email to find out more.     BLUEFIN TUNA   Catch & Release fishery to expand in 2025     The UK government’s annual submission to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), which sets out what the UK will need to support its bluefin tuna fishery, has been published. While still awaiting formal approval by ICCAT, the plan will see an expansion in the recreational catch and release fishery in 2025.   The number of permits the UK government is seeking to issue has risen from 100 to 180. In the plan they submitted, Defra said it “expects to issue no more than 180 authorisations in 2025. However we will keep this under review and ICCAT will be updated as appropriate.”   This gives room to negotiate to see this number potentially further increase. The Angling Trust and the UK Bluefin Tuna Association feel the science collected to date supports an increase in the number to around 200.       FUNDRAISER   Bid now in our annual Online Auction     Our annual Online Auction has launched with the chance to bid for some fantastic lots! The event has become a key fundraiser over the past six years and we have worked hard to gather a selection of lots that appeals to a wide range of tastes and budgets. All monies raised will help us to continue our work to protect the waterways you fish in and the fish which live within them, ensuring their health and protection for future generations. Among the lots on offer is the chance to join Orvis Saltwater Beginners Guide Joe Walker for a fascinating day gaining a practical insight into UK saltwater fly fishing. Where to start, safety coaching, understanding tides, how to read the shore, target species, gear, flies and more, Joe will coach you through the essentials and give you the confidence to start your own saltwater fly fishing journey, exploring some of Britain’s 11,000 miles of spectacular coastline.       COMPETITIONS   Species Hunt - who will be our champions?       It doesn’t seem that long ago that the 2024-25 Angling Trust/Tronix Pro Species Hunt campaign began – but we're now just weeks away until we know our champions!       Elite League leader Ben Price had a blank month in February with nothing to add to his 76 tally, closest challenger Simon Lancastle enjoying the same fate with no new fish to leave him second on 71. In fact, nothing has changed in terms of the top three as third-placed Martin Avons also failed to trouble the scoreboard to remain on 63 species.       Dave Oldbury and Carl Doble were tied at the top of the Seniors league after January on 56 fish apiece, but Dave enjoyed a good month, notching up five new species to retake the lead with 61, Carl replying with one fish for 57, third place continuing to be occupied by Mark Griffiths on 48.       There’s little to report on the Juniors front, with only long-term leader Mark Banham adding anything, one new fish extending his lead to a seemingly unbeatable 32, second-placed Wilbur Wilcock still on 26 and Kacper Karp in third on 24.       That only leaves the monthly Tronix Pro Specimen Prize for February to be decided. Winning that is Welsh rod Dave Williams who took a 100cm bull huss from a Pembrokeshire beach at the start of the month. Well done Dave!       GET INVOLVED – IT’S FREE!       The Angling Trust Tronix Pro Species Hunt is a free-to-enter competition where the aim is to get out and catch as many different types of fish as possible from the shore. With only weeks of the current campaign remaining, registrations are closed for this season. However, you can sign up for free for next season (2025-26) - all you need to do is register here.   To find out more about Species Hunt click here.     MEMBER DISCOUNT   Get 10% off tackle and clothing at Go Outdoors     Go Outdoors have a great range of fishing tackle both online and in-store - and as proud supporters of the Angling Trust they are offering members a 10% discount on all items. Go Outdoors have over 60 stores throughout the UK, 21 of which have Fishing Republic outlets inside, and stock a huge range of great value items perfect for walkers, campers and anglers.    To claim your discount, login to your Members Dashboard to obtain your code for online purchases or show your valid membership card for purchases in store.         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   Enjoy 2025 with fantastic hotel savings!     Spring is just around the corner bringing exciting opportunities to explore, compete, and create unforgettable memories! As the Official Accommodation Partner of the Angling Trust, SportsHotels.com is proud to support the wider angling community with up to 40% savings at over one million properties worldwide – from hostels and boutique hotels to luxury beach resorts. Whether you’re planning your next fishing trip, a relaxing weekend escape, or a fun-filled family holiday, the perfect hotel deal is waiting for you. Kickstart your 2025 adventures with amazing savings and experiences you’ll treasure forever!       The Angling Trust's work is supported by our Trade Associates     Click on a logo to visit our Trade Associate partner's website   Angling

[jerry.shutter]

Thanks Steve, i have done the Pollock survey, unfortunately i think we have all done a few similar ones over the years but we never see or hear any results. Fingers crossed we might here