Sea Angling New from the Angling Trust - our club features!

[Steve S]

Sea Angling News from the Angling Trust   |   View in browser     Sea News Update   |   November 2025      MACKEREL   Mackerel in crisis: UK ignores scientific advice     Mackerel stocks are collapsing, yet at the latest North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission  meeting, the UK voted against cutting commercial catches by 77% - the level scientists say is needed to save the stock. For recreational anglers, this decline is already being felt: weaker summer runs, patchy shoals, and fewer opportunities to enjoy this iconic fish. The Angling Trust is calling for science-based quotas, accountability for overfishing, and recognition of mackerel’s value to anglers and coastal communities.       FUNDING   Angling Trust demands fair share of new Growth Fund to benefit coastal communities     The Angling Trust is calling on the UK government to make sure the new Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund supports recreational sea angling - not just commercial fishing. Sea angling powers more than 15,000 jobs and brings economic, social, and health benefits to coastal towns. We’re pushing for serious investment in: Slipway repairs, disability-access pontoons, fish-cleaning stations & line recycling. Community angling hubs, social prescribing, and wellbeing project. Youth training, ocean stewardship, and grassroots marine science. If done properly, this fund could transform coastal growth - but only if it backs anglers.       RESEARCH   Shark survival boosted by best practice angling     New research from the University of Exeter shows that most sharks caught by recreational anglers in UK waters survive - if we follow best-practice handling guidelines. In a study of nearly 70 blue, porbeagle, and tope sharks, fewer than 5% died after release. Tags tracked sharks for up to 45 days, showing they mostly recovered within 24 hours - though porbeagles sometimes took longer. The message is clear: responsible catch‑and‑release works, but how we handle sharks matters.       CHARTER BOATS   Jemma Jewkes is the Angling Trust's Charter Boat Officer, a role supported by The Seafarers’ Charity. Jemma provides dedicated advocacy for the UK’s charter boat sector, helping skippers, crew, and operators navigate regulatory, financial, and operational challenges. To contact, email jemma.jewkes@anglingtrust.net   Women in Fisheries: Flying the flag for charter boats in London   Jemma Jewkes attended a packed few days in London for the Women in Fisheries F-Rep meetings which offered an excellent opportunity to immerse in the latest science, Fisheries Management Plans, and economic research shaping the future of UK fisheries. In what is still a largely commercial-dominated space, it was fantastic to connect with women from across every part of the industry, share insights from the charter boat sector, and build new relationships that will help strengthen our influence and understanding. A hugely valuable experience with plenty of promising conversations in the pipeline.   Public meeting: Scientific offshore platform     A public consultation meeting is being held to learn more about a proposed scientific offshore platform south of Plymouth Sound. The platform is part of the planned At-sea Capability Testing for Offshore Renewables project, and the meeting is being held at 3pm on 11th December at The Box, Tavistock Place, Plymouth.   Representing charter boats in Brixham   Our work to ensure recreational sea fishing has a strong voice at the highest levels continued this month with a productive visit to Brixham to meet the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee to discuss the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund. Jemma raised key issues affecting the charter boat sector and wider recreational community, emphasising the need for fair treatment, future-proof funding, and support that recognises the enormous social and economic value of sea angling. It’s encouraging to see our concerns being heard where it matters.   Connecting with skippers - and a gentle nudge   As ever, Jemma has been catching up with skippers around the coast to hear what’s happening on the water, understand emerging issues, and make sure your views feed directly into our work. If you haven’t already completed our latest survey, please take a few minutes to fill it in – your input genuinely helps shape the case we make on your behalf.         The Pollack Pact encourages anglers to retain a maximum of 5 fish per angler per trip; avoid targeting pollack when they are spawning (Jan – March); adopt a 50cm Minimum Conservation Reference Size; and release unwanted and undersized fish using a descending device.     ENGAGEMENT   Peter Morgan, the Angling Trust's Sea Angling Engagement Officer, is asking clubs and individual members to get in touch if they have any questions relating to issues they face in their recreational angling or to share news of success they or their clubs have had. To contact Peter email peter.morgan@anglingtrust.net or sea@anglingtrust.net   Club hosts Voluntary Bailiffs and Police   Westwater Angling Club hosted a joint event for Angling Trust Voluntary Bailiffs and Northumbria Police’s rural crime team. Organised by Regional Enforcement Support Manager Kev Woodcock, attendees received guidance on crimes affecting anglers, reporting structures from the Environment Agency, a talk on invasive species by Environment Officer Ian Doyle and the work of Building Bridges from Janusz Kansik. Sea Angling Engagement Officer Peter Morgan explained his work to strengthen the voice of recreational sea anglers, and highlighted where to report marine environment offences.   Get Fishing event at Whitehaven Pier     A Get Fishing day at Whitehaven Pier brought teenagers from Whitehaven Academy together with Angling Trust staff and Level 2 coaches. Peter supported the session, helping pupils who caught species including whiting, coalies, dabs, pollack, dogfish and several bass to 5lb. Some students were already regular pier anglers and inspired others to join in. A coarse fishing event is planned for spring.     Sea angling on agenda at IFCAs   Recreational sea angling continues to be represented at IFCAs nationwide. Peter and Charter Boat Officer Jemma Jewkes met Northumberland IFCA to discuss charter activity and shifting species distributions. Officers encouraged anglers to enter their Species Challenge and Bass Scale Project. Peter also visited Southern IFCA in Poole to raise concerns about netting in Poole Harbour and boats close to Chesil Beach.   Poole Bay Small Boat Angling Club     Peter attended the Poole Bay Small Boat Angling Club meeting to hear members’ views on local fishing. Concerns included mackerel stocks and declines in undulate ray and flatfish numbers. The club, with over 100 members, runs monthly meetings and regular competitions, including a catch-of-the-month award. Find out more here.   Police Sport UK National Shore Championships   Peter hosted the Police Sport UK shore championships in Newcastle, with 91 competitors fishing over two days. Day one at Cresswell produced strong bags; heavy seas moved day two to the River Wear, where whiting featured for pegs nearest the sea. The event allowed Peter to engage with anglers from across the UK and highlight Angling Trust’s marine work. Martin Hatfield (Essex) won the individual title, with Norfolk securing the team award for the third year running.     FUNDRAISING   Still time to enter our Annual Raffle   There's less than three weeks left to take part in our Annual Raffle - have you got your tickets? There are 21 incredible prizes to be won including 1st prize of £2,000 of Daiwa Tackle of your choice! Tickets are still just £2 and all the money raised goes to fund our vital work including campaigns such as Anglers Against Pollution.       COMPETITIONS   Video: England at World Shore Championships     Watch all the action from the Masters World Shore Championships in France as we went behind the scenes with Angling Trust Team England taking on the World’s best sea anglers… and won gold! In this exclusive film we follow the team through the four match days and reveal the winning tactics you can try yourself, plus we show you how fine the margins are when it comes to winning international competitions. In a double delight for Team England, Kevin Warner also secured the individual bronze medal. The Angling Trust England Masters team would like to thank their amazing sponsors and supporters – DFDS ferries, Asso, Sakuma, TronixPro, Cox & Rawle, and Total Tees. The 2026 Masters event has been brought forward to March, and the team are seeking sponsorship and donations to help them get over to Italy to defend their title – if you can help please get in touch with Angling Trust Head of Competitions & Team England Steve Fitzpatrick at steve.fitzpatrick@anglingtrust.net     MEMBER OFFER   Get a 10% discount on Veals Mail Order   Veals first opened for business in Bristol in 1846 and have become one of the premier Sea Angling retailers in the country thanks to their exceptional customer service and vast range of products.   To support our work, Veals have signed up as Trade Supporter members and are giving Angling Trust Individual Members 10% discount off all purchases!   Click to find out more       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         ngling Trust email communicationsSea Angling New from the

[Colin-58]

Well done and thanks to all who attended the meeting on behalf of the club.   👍.           Colin.