Sea Angling News from the Angling Trust - April 2026

[Steve S]

POLICY ROUND-UP from HANNAH RUDD     Pollack, bass, black bream ... the fight to protect our seas has never been greater   Dear fellow sea anglers, If you needed proof our seas are under pressure, this month delivered it - on the water and in the science. The UK Marine Strategy update confirms what anglers have known for years: our seas are in serious decline. And the numbers back it up - 58% of UK catch limits for 2026 have been set above scientific advice. That’s not sustainable. It puts fish stocks, our fishing, and coastal communities at risk. But this is exactly why we keep showing up. We’ve taken recreational fishing and your concerns right to the heart of Westminster, meeting directly with Fisheries Minister Angela Eagle this month. We’ve secured a Defra roundtable on pollack, putting anglers and charter skippers directly in front of decision-makers. If you fish for pollack, and are concerned about the incoming bag limit, make sure your voice is heard by joining us on 28th April and submitting questions to us in advance. We’re also seeing leadership from within our own community. In Southern IFCA’s district, voluntary measures to protect nesting black bream in MCZs are a clear example of anglers and charter skippers stepping up to safeguard spawning fish and secure the future of the fishery. And when management follows the science, it works. The increase in the bass bag limit to three fish reflects a recovering stock - something many of you are already seeing on the water. But we’re not taking our foot off the gas. Through the Bass Management Group and Welsh Seabass Advisory Group, we’re staying firmly in the fight to protect that progress against unsustainable commercial interests like netting and pair trawling. We’ll keep pushing for decisions that rebuild fish populations - not run them down - and challenge industrial-scale commercial pressure where it threatens the future of our fisheries.   Bluefin tuna mandatory training Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for the 2026 bluefin tuna fishery. Mandatory training is now in place - a big step in showing the professionalism and responsibility of recreational anglers and charter businesses. But credibility only works if the rules are enforced. We’re pushing hard behind the scenes to stamp out illegal fishing and protect those doing it properly. We’re not the regulator - but we are your voice at the table. And with over 200 applications to join our Bluefin Tuna Advisory Group, it’s clear how much this fishery matters. There’s also opportunity. The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme is now open, with dedicated Marine Management Organisation support for recreational applications - and £132 million available for fisheries and coastal communities in England over the next five years. At the same time, four additional Fisheries Management Plans are closing for consultation in early May, so if you have views on pollack, wrasse and bream let us know via sea@anglingtrust.net. These decisions will shape the future of our fisheries - and we’ll be right in the middle of that fight. And finally – some good news to end. Sussex IFCA have announced a ban on trawling and other towed fishing gear in Beachy Head East MCZ, affording vital protection for our inshore fisheries. Thanks to campaigning, including by local anglers with the support of the Angling Trust, the chalk reef and other important marine habitats can now recover and, hopefully, thrive into the future. Progress isn’t fast. But it is happening - because we keep pushing as your voice every day. This is a fight for our fish, our seas, and the future of sea angling. It’s David vs Goliath - but if we don’t stand up together, who will? Join the Angling Trust today and be part of the fight.   HANNAH RUDD is the Angling Trust's Head of Marine. You can  contact Hannah via email: sea@anglingtrust.net     CHARTER BOATS from JEMMA JEWKES     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   See you in Whitby ... or Falmouth!   In the past few months I’ve been travelling around the country to meet charter skippers and other anglers in person and hear their views. So far, I’ve visited Milford Haven, Weymouth, Brighton and Brightlingsea. Whitby is scheduled for 22nd May, with Falmouth to be confirmed. I’m now acting on what I’ve learned and taking forward the priorities people have shared. The Defra roundtable on pollack is set for Tuesday, 28th April. This is a fantastic opportunity for skippers concerned about bag limits and other issues to have their questions answered. Please sign up for the online meeting and submit your questions by 24th April. You can find details here I have also been continuing the development of the membership database and charter boat finder, and establishing a working group on enforcement in Brighton - more details on these to come.   Stay Informed To receive updates and be added to the mailing list, please email jemma.jewkes@anglingtrust.net or sea@anglingtrust.net. Our next Charter Boat Catch-Ups are on Wednesday, 6th May at 5pm and Thursday, 7th May at 2pm. There are separate links for the two meetings: Wednesday, 6th May - Click here to join the meeting Thursday, 7th May - Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 337 068 027 031 5 Passcode: 4h5MC3Vk     ANGLER ENGAGEMENT from PETER MORGAN     Peter Morgan, the Angling Trust's Sea Angling Engagement Officer, is asking clubs and individual anglers to get in touch if they have any questions relating to issues they face or to share news of success they or their clubs have had. Email peter.morgan@anglingtrust.net or sea@anglingtrust.net   Safety campaign launched for boaters   Water safety organisations have launched their annual safety campaign for recreational boaters. ‘Reduce the risk, boost your skills’ provides advice for anyone heading out to sea. It is supported by HM Coastguard (part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency), the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Royal Yachting Association. Take a look before you head off on your next fishing trip and check you are ready for any emergencies. You can find details here In addition, further safety advice has been published for new guidance on Personal Locator Beacon registration. These regulations will strengthen search and rescue response to incidents at sea.  Check out the regulations here Advice on record catches With the lengthening days and warmer weather many anglers will be out on the beaches or launching their boats in search of their favourite fish. A reminder to anglers in search of specimens that the boat caught weight records were frozen in June 2024. They were replaced with a length-based system. Whilst there is still a weight record list for shore species there are also length-based records many of which are open to qualifying lengths. Guidance and details of how to make a claim can be found here   Anyone wishing to find out more, please drop us a line at sea@anglingtrust.net.     WALES POLICY from GARETH HENSON     Gareth Henson is the Angling Trust's Marine Policy Officer for Wales. He promotes the social and economic value of sea angling in Wales, ensuring that the voices of sea anglers are heard in key fisheries management discussions. If you’d like to get in touch with Gareth, you can reach at sea@anglingtrust.net   Manifesto for Welsh Sea Angling    I have been working on a Welsh Sea Angling Manifesto in advance of the Senedd elections on the 7th May. The Manifesto is for members of The Senedd representing Welsh constituencies and those with an interest in coastal and rural growth, tourism, and natural resources. It outlines why Welsh Government and politicians should be supporting recreational sea fishing for its economic, health and social benefits as well as its contribution to environmental stewardship. It details a number of asks including recognising the recreational sea fishing in Welsh policy and planning, investing in coastal infrastructure to deliver jobs and growth, and to deliver a Welsh Sea Angling Strategy.    Mumbles club visit    Earlier this month I met with Mumbles Motor Boat & Fishing Club to talk about the Angling Trust and specifically the Sea Angling Diary, the fish handling guidance and feeding into the Fisheries Management Plans, including the Welsh Seabass Advisory Group. It was well attended and positively received.   'Chasing Sea Rhinos' talk   I was also invited to an Angling Cymru event: ‘Chasing Sea Rhinos – the history of the Welsh Bluefin tuna fishery’. This event talked about the tuna programme in Wales and the battle for making a recreational tuna fishery with guest speakers Steve Murphy, Andrew Alsop and actor Julian Lewis Jones. I got to meet the influential tuna skippers in Wales and talk all things tuna. This was a very well attended event at Cardiff Bay Yacht Club.       MEMBERSHIP OFFERS   Enjoy great discounts on bait, tackle and much more!   Angling Trust Individual Members receive fantastic savings on bait, tackle and high street goods - what's more, we have offers specifically for sea anglers! Adult membership costs as little as £33 per year - take a look at how much you can save on the link below:    FUNDRAISING   More chances to win in the Anglers Lottery!   Sign up to play the Anglers Lottery by Monday 20th May and you'll be entered into the May monthly draw. From next month, you will also be automatically included in the Fab Friday Draws - an extra 4 weekly draws per month! In addition to the £25,000 total possible monthly draw, players have the chance to win 8 prizes every week!  1 x £250, 2 x £100 and 5 x £50. £10 a month = a chance to win big + make a real impact for angling. (T&Cs apply. 18+. Please play responsibly. For support, visit BeGambleAware.org)     The Angling Trust's work is supported by our Trade Associates     Click on a logo to visit our Trade Associate partner's website