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Take A Friend Fishing campaign runs from Saturday 31st March to Sunday 15th April 2017

18/3/2018

“Take A Friend Fishing” (TAFF) is a campaign where UK anglers are being encouraged to take a person who they feel would benefit from a day’s fishing.
Remember when a friend or family member took you fishing when you were young or just starting out?

We bet everyone has experienced a memorable session or two like that – sharing the bank with someone else is always more fun! – And with the Take A Friend Fishing campaign, there is the chance to take someone for FREE. If you make their day an enjoyable one, you should have another person to go fishing with for life and better still, allow your friends to see the enjoyment you get from Britain’s largest outdoor participated pastime.

Click on the following link for the Take A friend Fishing website it get you free voucher:
TAKE A FRIEND FISHING

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Birmingham AA leader demands mass vote on river fishing Close Season

12/3/2018

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Birmingham AA club official John Williams

Birmingham AA club official John Williams is calling for all rod licence holders to have an official referendum to sort out the river fishing Close Season chaos.
Birmingham AA have put the pressure on the issue, just as the 2017/18 river season neared its end, for the March 15 to June 15 (inclusive) Close Season.

The Angling Trust are remaining neutral at a time when a major review of the Close Season is due to be published.

The Trust have one ‘keep’, one ‘change’ and one ‘scrap’ voice on a three-man panel that is sitting on an official Environment Agency review.

Many anglers fear the EA will never scrap the Close Season which was abandoned on lakes back in 1994.

Now John Williams, chairman of mighty Birmingham AA, thinks the EA should officially ask rod licence holders to vote in a full referendum when they renew their annual licence.

Birmingham AA chief John said: “I reckon there should be an online referendum where all anglers could have a vote regarding the Close Season when they renew their annual rod licence.

“Unlike Brexit, I’m sure there would be a very decisive majority in favour of abolition which should settle the matter once and for all.”

John continued: “We need the Angling Trust as our representative body to get off the fence and come out strongly in favour of abolition which I’m sure the majority of anglers want, but they are frightened of upsetting people against change.”

“There has never been any true scientific basis for the close season, it is just one of these historic anomalies.

“Fish have survived and prospered in stillwaters where there is no close season so why shouldn’t they on our rivers? After all a roach is a roach wherever it is.

“When it (the Close Season) was abolished on our lakes and canals, some people were predicting a disaster but it proved a great boost for angling and even revolutionised fishing, prompting the huge growth of commercial fisheries.

“Fishing has actually improved on our canals as well and I’m sure there would be absolutely no change on our rivers, plus it would be a great shot in the arm for our tackle trade and boost angling generally.

John put forward a way to decide the validity of a rivers Close Season – but still says urgent action is required.

John said: “One idea to research the issue properly would be to abolish the Close Season on say five different rivers for five years and then compare how the fish stocks fare with five similar rivers where the rivers have remained closed – I would publicly eat my hat if any difference was found.

“But that would of course take time and money, and should have been done years ago, and really we need action in the near future,” Birmingham AA leader John concluded.

The Angling Trust wouldn’t be drawn to whether there should be a proper referendum for rod licence holders on the Close Season debate.

Martin Salter, Trust campaigns chief, said: “The Trust regional forums have already been debating the issue and the discussions have been respectful and informative.

‘It is only right and proper that our voices are heard on an issue that evokes strong opinions either way.”

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Operation Leviathan – Fisheries Enforcement with the Angling Trust

12/3/2018

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Is your fishery under pressure from illegal angling?
Is poaching rife and are people taking fish from the water?
Is your club stretch being vandalized and litter being left indiscriminately?

If so, there is hope. Introducing Operation Leviathan.

What is Operation Leviathan?

‘Operation Leviathan’ is the name of the multi-agency partnership including the Environment Agency (England), Natural Resources Wales, Police forces across the west of England and Wales, The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), Angling Trust and angling clubs to work together against fisheries crime, fish theft and illegal fishing. In the East of England, there is an identical project that goes under the name of ‘Operation Traverse’.

The main purpose of the operation is to increase confidence amongst anglers to report incidents of illegal fishing to the EA or NRW on the national hotline 0800 807060 and/or the police as appropriate.

The lack of information coming into the authorities has been identified as a major weakness in dealing with widespread ‘poaching’ on rivers, lakes and canals across the country and consequently, the problem is not recognised in many areas.

This has led to anglers becoming frustrated when they see fish being illegally removed from the water, fixed lines being set to catch fish illegally and irresponsible or anti-social fishing taking place on their waters, making them feel unsafe.

All of these things led to the formation of the Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS) in England, managed by the Angling Trust to provide more ‘eyes and ears’ out on our waterways. It’s a bit like ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ for fishing!

In England The VBS work closely with the EA and our volunteers are often invited to join them on patrols.

In Wales, the representative body for anglers is Angling Cymru, who do not have an equivalent VBS. Therefore, in Wales, anglers are solely dependant on the NRW to address issues directly without the support of a volunteer force. The Angling Trust are supportive of a Welsh VBS to work alongside the current organisation in England.

VBS is developing and in the South East of England there is currently a pilot project, in which carefully selected Voluntary Bailiffs are empowered to demand rod licences and deal with certain fisheries offences . This is called ‘Phase 2 VBS’ where volunteers are embedded in Environment Agency (EA) teams, with whom they work and directly support. They are supervised by EA team leaders and are subject to the EA Codes of Conduct. This pilot is currently being evaluated by the EA pending their decision as to whether the initiative will be rolled-out nationally.

Interested in joining the VBS service?

Find out more here.

The main message of Operation Leviathan is for all anglers across the UK to phone the emergency hotline number 0800 807060 to report illegal fishing incidents.

This gives you options to speak with the fisheries authorities covering different parts of the country. It is crucial anglers report incidents and information about illegal fishing so that the EA (England), NRW (Wales), Loughs Agency (N. Ireland) etc.. can take the necessary action! Without this, the authorities won’t know there is a problem and no action will be taken.

For information regarding Operation Leviathan and fisheries enforcement, please get in touch with:

Kevin Pearson

Mob. 07495 433620
Email. Kevin.Pearson@Anglingtrust.net

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New look fishing rod licence for 2018

6/3/2018

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It's that time of the year again where many anglers will be needing to renew their rod licence for 2018.
Every year the artwork for the front of the rod license is changed with this year being no different. The new artwork

has now been revealed by the Environment Agency.

To the delight of many anglers, the EA have decided to choose one of the most iconic fish to star on the front of the new licence. Clarissa who will appear on the three rod licence was the UK record carp for 28 years and was made famous when angling legend 'Dick' Walker caught her from the historic Redmire Pool on September 13, 1952 at a then record weight of 44lb.

Once caught, Clarissa was transported to London Zoo where she stayed. This was done because many big carp were caught and killed back in the 1950s to establish their weight, an idea that Walker hated and didn’t want to happen to such an incredible fish.

Walker was a huge influence when it came to changing the face of angling. He was the creator of the ‘Arlesey bomb’ and the first-ever electronic bite alarm as well as contributing to the development of carbon fibre fishing rods. Mike Heylin OBE Chairman for the British Record (Rod Caught) Fish Committee said: “This is a fine tribute to a fish and an angler who changed our perspective and excited a whole generation of anglers, many of whom will hold this licence with pride.”

This year’s design has been created by well-respected wildlife artist David Miller who added: “Designing this year’s fishing licence combines 2 of my passions: fishing and art. The Environment Agency does a fantastic job and I’m proud to be supporting rod licence sales with my artwork. It’s been great to be able to capture a fish that has such historical significance in the fishing world.”

The other two images that have been designed for the new rod license include a gudgeon which will be on the 2 rod licence and salmon which will appear on the game licence. The EA managed to raise £21 million from rod licence sales during the 2016/17 season which was then used to restock the rivers with 6.3 million fish, as well as encouraging 35,000 people pick up a rod for the first time.

Kevin Austin, director of fisheries at the EA, said: “We’re delighted to reveal these new images as part of our continued drive to encourage people to give fishing a go. All the money raised from rod licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries benefiting anglers.”
A licence lasts 12 months from the day of purchase and is required to fish legally in England, Wales and along the Border Esk in Scotland. People who are caught fishing without a rod licence can expect to be prosecuted and fined for their troubles with the EA checking 63,000 licenses in 2016/17.

Buy a rod licence here: https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences

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Take A Friend Fishing campaign runs from Saturday 31st March to Sunday 15th April 2017

Birmingham AA leader demands mass vote on river fishing Close Season

Operation Leviathan – Fisheries Enforcement with the Angling Trust

New look fishing rod licence for 2018

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