Save £££s on DFDS trips to France & Netherlands

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

View in browser | Latest Sea Angling News from the Angling Trust

July 2023

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed to the Angling Trust and the UK Bluefin Tuna Association (UKBFTA) that the funding for the English CHART (Catch and Release Tagging) programme in 2023 has been signed off and the programme has been given the green light.

Given the severe funding constraints we have highlighted previously, the process for approval took longer than we would have liked, but we are pleased the Minister recognised the importance of ensuring CHART will continue this year in England.

An exciting research partnership focused on black bream, sharks and rays in the Solent and Dorset has launched with scientists and anglers.

The Angling Trust are proud to be collaborating with the University of Plymouth, Southern IFCA, the Professional Boatman’s Association and Natural England on this Fisheries Industry Science Partnership which focuses on the environmental sustainability of the recreational angling sector and gives the sector a bigger voice through ongoing fisheries management plans.

Anglers fishing around the Solent and Dorset are encouraged to look out for tagged fish and report them to fishtracking@plymouth.ac.uk.  

Recent stock assessments and observations by anglers have suggested a concerning decline in the pollack stocks and a reduction in large fish, urging local skippers and anglers to take action by instigating collaboration with scientists 

The Angling Trust are delighted to be collaborating with the Professional Boatman’s Association, the University of Plymouth and the University of York with support from Cefas to leverage the importance of recreational knowledge and safeguard the future of this important fish via a Fisheries Industry Science Partnership.

Our team of regional surveyors have hit the shoreline to start surveying sea anglers as part of a 12-month project. Catchwise is a new survey of sea angling taking place across England and Wales in 2023 and 2024. The project has been co-developed with sea anglers and aims to significantly improve the recognition of the sport’s value to coastal communities and inform relevant fisheries management decisions accurately. Catchwise is funded via a Fisheries Industry Science Partnership with Substance and Cefas.

Be part of Catchwise ... surveyor roles still available

The Angling Trust is seeking five highly motivated and organised individuals who have experience in face-to-face surveying to join Catchwise.
There are five self-employed contracts available: 1 x South Wales (covering from Aberystwyth to Prince of Wales Bridge), 1 x North Yorkshire and the Humber, 1 x East Anglia, 1 x South East of England (ideally based in Surrey, East Sussex or West Sussex), and 1 x Northumberland.
Interested applicants should send their CV and cover letter to galini.samlidou@anglingtrust.net and hannah.rudd@anglingtrust.net, and cc samantha.hook@substance.net

The hotly anticipated Bass Fishery Management Plan consultation is due to open this summer following a long initial stakeholder engagement process in 2022.

For more than a decade the Angling Trust has been campaigning for ecosystem-based fisheries management that sets catch limits within scientific advice, improves protections for bass nursery areas and prioritises maximising the benefits of the fishery to coastal communities.

This is our opportunity to get a bass fishery that delivers for angling. Watch this space for updates on when the consultation goes live.

With anglers and skippers up and down the coastline noticing the disappearance of spurdogs from areas where they were abundant prior to the commercial fishery reopening, fears are growing about the population’s future. That’s why we’ve written to the Minister to demand action.

The Devon and Severn IFCA recently held a written consultation on the previously implemented netting bye-law. Having consulted with affected anglers in the region, the Angling Trust considers that the bye-law has had a positive effect on a variety of species including bass and mullet and as such, we support the continuance. Our full written response to the consultation addressed each of the key aspects and can be read in full on the link here:

Devon and Severn IFCA have since advised that the responses will be summarised in a report that will be presented to D&S IFCA’s Byelaw & Permitting Sub-Committee (B&PSC) in due course. When finalised, the consultation report will be published on the D&S IFCA website to enable all those that responded to see how their views were documented.

The B&PSC will discuss the findings of the consultation (the initial open phase) and will determine what happens next with the review. No date has been set for the next B&PSC meeting; however, it is possible that it could take place in August.

A consultation on the sole fishing in Lyme Bay (which encompasses Chesil beach) took place initially by way of written submissions, to which over 160 recreational anglers submitted responses. This was followed with an invitational meeting by the MMO, facilitated by an independent company.

The attendance at this meeting was largely the commercial sector, with a mix of fixed net and trawled gear fishers. Our Sea Angling Engagement manager, Grant Jones, attended to represent the recreational sea angling community and put our concerns across.

Whilst there was much talk of an improving stock, we challenged the data and queried whether this had taken account of any class size of fish. Whilst the commercial sector appeared optimistic about the price for small sole in the Spanish market, we know how important specimen size fish are to the recreational sector. There was no class size data whatsoever and we argued that any indication of increased stock could be attributable to a stressed stock increasing re-production, which often leads to a glut of smaller fish with more limited potential for growth.

The debate moved on to mesh size and minimum legal sizes, with increases in both of these receiving wide support from the attendees on the day, though no decisions could be ratified there and then and will require further consultation and lead times to allow fishers to change gear.

A hot topic of contention was gear disputes. Whilst this was perceived as fixed gear being interrupted by trawled gear, Grant raised the issue of both ghost gear causing issues for recreational anglers, as well as the increased frequency with which trawlers are coming within casting distance of the shore. A specific meeting to look at ‘zoning’ will take place at the start of 2024, where we will continue to push for a one-mile recreational buffer / commercial exclusion zone along the entirety of Lyme Bay. The feedback from the commercial fishing sector is that this is not their most fished area nor their most profitable, but we know how important an ecosystem it is and how critical it is to the recreational angling sector and should be maximised as such.

The independent facilitators proposed a prioritisation of issues several times throughout the day, which the Angling Trust successfully convinced them was not the way to proceed given the skewed representation present. Whilst assurances were given that this would only be indicative, we warned of the risks of getting any ball in motion with an unrepresentative body of voices. Whilst this was avoided on this occasion, it shows how important it is that we strive for greater representation at such meetings. Several other anglers had received invites but were unfortunately unable to attend. If you have a passionate interest in this fishery, please reach out to Grant Jones via email - grant.jones@anglingtrust.net - as he will be looking for others to attend follow up meetings, such as the zoning meeting in 2024.

Amazing month in Angling Trust Tronix Pro Species Hunt

With the warmer weather and longer days, June has seen some bumper catches recorded in our free-to-enter Angling Trust Tronix Pro Species Hunt competition.

Since the event kicked off on April 1 there has been an incredible 1,244 fish reported and we’re starting to see plenty of new faces on the three leaderboards – Elite, Seniors, and Juniors - and movement in the top 10s too.

Don’t worry if you’re not in the reckoning just yet, there are plenty more fish to be caught in this year-long event.

JUNE'S LEADERBOARDS REVEALED:

Keeping his No1 position in the Elite League – created for the top 30 anglers of last year – is Warminster, Wilts-based Martin Avons with an incredible 44 species, 14 up on last month. Local rival Keith Woods – also from Warminster - has moved up from third to second in this top tier with nine more fish this month, taking him to 33 in total. Last year’s overall winner Simon Lancastle is hot on their heels though with 32 species, up from 10th.

There’s a new leader in the Seniors League after Pembrokeshire’s Ben Price recorded an impressive 21 new species this month to take him to a total of 41. Last month’s leader Luke Woodford slips down a place on 35, and third placed Norman Bowerman, from Widnes, moves up from fifth overall with his tally of 27.

The Junior League continues to be a close affair with Reuben Judge still leading with 20 species with a tie for second between Ilfracombe’s Zephyr Laramy and Bournemouth’s Kacper Karp, on 12.

Last year’s overall champion Simon Lancastle has claimed this month’s Specimen Award for his 49cm long Dover Sole caught on the first day of June from the Bristol Channel. This ranks as one of the longest sole’s submitted to the challenge.

This month sees the Species Hunt Summer Challenges begin for our junior hunters with eight targets to catch over the school holidays. Everyone who submits a catch as part of the challenge will earn themselves an exclusive species sticker – can anyone collect them all?

Our seas are suffocating in sewage. Sea angling voices need to be heard more than ever.

Pledge your support to our Anglers Against Pollution campaign today.

Plastics plague our marine environment and we're committed to creating a healthier future for our seas and the fish we love. 

The Angling Trust curate the best sea angling content all in one place.

Videos, articles and blogs, just head over to Fishing Buzz and take a look.

Fishing In Wales is the no.1 website for Welsh sea, coarse and game angling. Where, when, how and what to fish for in Wales – we have it covered!  Take a look for yourself

Not yet a member? Please join today and support our work

The Angling Trust has set up a Facebook Group just for sea anglers - and we want you to get involved! It is the ideal place to catch up with news, views, events, pictures and videos from the world of sea angling.

The Angling Trust's work is supported by our Trade Associates

April 2023

Funding is available to improve recreational fishing infrastructure, facilities and access via the UK government's UK Seafood Fund Infrastructure Scheme.

Projects will be funded on a match funding basis. Examples of projects that are fundable include:

• piers, harbours and other onshore sea fishing areas
• ponds, canals and other bodies of water connected to onshore sea fishing
• slipways, berths and moorings for boat angling
• docking for pontoons and floating walkways
• paths to access sea fishing areas
• facilities such as toilets and disabled access in onshore sea fishing areas and in angling clubs
• accessibility modifications on vessels, such as disabled access on charter boats
• infrastructure required for angling tournaments
• training and upskilling for catch-and-release and other methods of sustainable fishing, including diversification of species
• the use of renewable energy and reduction of carbon emissions

Application deadline is by 12pm on June 19, 2023.

Anglers in the South West should take note that the Devon & Severn IFCA's netting byelaw will soon undergo its five-year review. The byelaw was established to safeguard the inshore areas that serve as migration routes, nurseries, and refuges for salmonids, bass, grey mullet, and other species.

The Angling Trust believes that the byelaw has had significant positive impacts on the quantity, size and range of inshore fish species, whilst having little impact on commercial fishing. Because of the protection it provides to inshore fish and the social and economic benefits to recreational angling and coastal communities in Devon and Somerset, we believe this byelaw should not be weakened.

If you fish in the Devon & Severn IFCA region, please take a few minutes to contact D&S IFCA to emphasise the positive impact and future potential.

Catchwise is a new survey of sea angling taking place across England and Wales in 2023 and 2024. The project has been co-developed with sea anglers and aims to significantly improve the recognition of the sport’s value to coastal communities and inform relevant fisheries management decisions accurately.

It will be the biggest single study of sea angling undertaken for over a decade and will involve a major shore and private boat survey of sea anglers as well as an online survey of charter boats. Catchwise will involve face-to-face surveys with thousands of sea anglers around the English and Welsh coasts. Recruitment for volunteer surveyors is now open.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK and the Angling Trust have joined forces in a bid to reduce drownings in our seas and waterways and to help everyone enjoy the water safely. The strategic partnership will see the two organisations work together to help provide the angling community with lifesaving skills and knowledge.

Based on the Water Accident Incident Database statistics over a five-year period (2017-2021), 45 people lost their lives to drowning while fishing and a further 471 people drowned while walking or running.

The Angling Trust’s hugely successful Sea Talent Pathway is set to return this summer. This is a fantastic opportunity for all young sea anglers to improve their skills by learning from some of the country’s top coaches, including gold medal winning England Internationals.

Led by sea fishing legend Chris Clark, the two-day Talent Pathway event will take place on Saturday July 29 and Sunday July 30 at Lymington, Hampshire. Instruction over the two days will include a day’s classroom tuition covering tackle, techniques, and rigs and will be followed by a session on the Milford Shingle beach which will include casting, watercraft, bait presentation, and beach craft.

This event is open to all anglers aged between 10 and 16, and is a free weekend given by the volunteers, with a buffet lunch included on the first day and bait provided on the second day.

To secure a place on the Talent Pathway fill out the application form below:

The Angling Trust has set up a Facebook Group just for sea anglers - and we want you to get involved! It is the ideal place to catch up with news, views, events, pictures and videos from the world of sea angling.

Our Spring into Fishing campaign is perfect if you’ve always wanted to give coarse fishing a go, but haven’t had a rod licence, the time, or the right tackle, or are just looking for a family-friendly fishing event to show them why you love fishing!

Book a place at one of our free Spring into Fishing Flagship Events where tackle, bait and instruction are all included to use on the day. The lesson is even covered by a free one-day fishing licence, kindly donated by the Environment Agency!

The Angling Trust TronixPro Species Hunt - Britain’s most popular sea fishing challenge - has now reopened with many exciting new elements for competitors. The aim of Species Hunt is simple: to go out and catches as many different species of sea fish as you can from the UK shores in the next 12 months.

Launched in 2014 and backed once again by tackle giant TronixPro, this season’s free-to-enter competition will see the addition of a new Elite League where the top 30 anglers from 2022-23 will go head-to-head to become the champion angler. The main Species Hunt competition and the Junior League will continue to be open to all anglers as before.

That means there will be three prize funds up for grabs this time – the Elite League, General Species Hunt, and Junior League - giving anglers of all abilities the chance to win amazing tackle prizes.

To make the competition even more exciting for youngsters, we’ll be setting some fun challenges during the Summer and Christmas school holidays where they’ll have the chance to compete for exclusive tacklebox stickers.

The Angling Trust is supporting a campaign this Mental Health Awareness Week to encourage anglers to get out fishing again even if they haven’t been for a while, and to highlight the benefits to non-anglers too.

Please take part in this short survey – your answers will help understand how going fishing can have an effect on mental health and wellbeing. The survey takes about a minute to do and if you fish in freshwater there’s a chance to win your next 12-month 3-rod licence for coarse and trout or salmon and migratory trout too!

But hurry, the survey closes at midday on Thursday, April 27.

Our seas are suffocating in sewage. Sea angling voices need to be heard more than ever.

Pledge your support to our Anglers Against Pollution campaign today.

Plastics plague our marine environment and we're committed to creating a healthier future for our seas and the fish we love. 

The Angling Trust curate the best sea angling content all in one place.

Videos, articles and blogs, just head over to Fishing Buzz and take a look.

Fishing In Wales is the no.1 website for Welsh sea, coarse and game angling. Where, when, how and what to fish for in Wales – we have it covered!  Take a look for yourself