Angling News - Blackcountryfishing

CLOSED FISHING SEASON DECISION IS MADE

28/8/2019

The Environment Agency have made the controversial call to retain the current coarse fishing close season on rivers throughout the UK

The Environment Agency have made the controversial call to retain the current coarse fishing close season on rivers throughout the UK, following the results of an eight week public consultation carried out earlier this year.

The results of the consultation which received 13,680 responses indicated that removing the close season would pose a potential risk to coarse fish and whilst amending the start or end dates would protect some species, it would significantly impact others.

This decision is likely to anger some sections of the angling community with support for keeping the close season at 38.8%, changing the closed dates at 9.2% and removing it altogether at 49.8%.

As well as the evidence provided by respondents in the consultation the Environment Agency also relied upon the experience of the team at their Calverton Fish Farm who have noted that species such as chub and barbel are very sensitive to spawning ground disturbance.

Deputy Director of Fisheries at the Environment Agency, Kevin Austin, said: “We have analysed the many comments from the 13,680 responses to understand the evidence and opinions around the close season. Given the limited further evidence on risks to coarse and other fish stocks, we have decided to retain the close season."

“Our priority is to find the right balance between angling and protecting fish stocks. The current close season is risk-based and maintains protection for the majority of coarse fish.

“We recognise that some anglers will be disappointed with this outcome, while others will welcome it. This reflects a shared passion for fishing.

“We will continue, working with partners, to consider any new information on the close season as and when it becomes available.”

ANGLING TRUST’S BUILDING BRIDGES TEAM TO HELP POLICE TACKLING MODERN SLAVERY.

14/8/2019

Members of the Angling Trust's Building Bridges team with Jason Grove (centre), West Midlands Police Regional Modern Slavery Coordinator

Anglers have been asked to help police in the fight to tackle the rising crime of human trafficking and modern slavery.

It follows a meeting held in Worcester between the Angling

Trust’s Fisheries Enforcement Support Service (FESS) and the Modern Slavery Police Transformation Programme.

The Voluntary Bailiff Service and the Building Bridges project – which works closely with migrant anglers from Central and Eastern European countries – are part of the FESS and ideal partners to help raise awareness of the crime among the angling community.

Jason Grove, the West Midlands Police Regional Modern Slavery Coordinator, said:

“This meeting provided a great opportunity to present to the FESS and specifically the Building Bridges team on the issues concerning modern slavery. By raising awareness of the modern slavery signs and profile of persons involved, both victims and offenders, it is now hoped that more reporting can be generated from the angling community as eyes and ears close to migrant communities. We look forward to working more closely together and tackling this serious organised criminality.”

Janusz Kansik, Building Bridges Project Manager, said:

“It is a fact that migrants are vulnerable to this crime. Our Building Bridges team is closely involved with various migrant communities and the migrant press throughout England and, therefore, provides a means of engaging with these communities which are often closed and insular. Because fishing is so deeply embedded in central and eastern European cultures, we are extensively involved with Polish, Lithuanian and Romanian communities in England and able to help the police raise awareness of modern slavery.”

Dilip Sarkar MBE, Angling Trust National Enforcement Manager, said:

“Modern slavery is a serious issue and we are delighted to help in any way we can. This is also another example of how fisheries enforcement is connected to a much bigger picture, the partnership working involved is virtually infinite and all helps put fisheries crime on the map whilst assisting our partners in the process.”

Earlier this year, the United Nations reported that human trafficking had “taken on horrific dimensions” and was increasing globally. Figures for the UK showed that 6,993 potential victims of human trafficking and modern slavery were referred to UK authorities in 2018 – a 36% increase on the previous year – and included more than 3,100 children.

The Building Bridges project is part of the Fisheries Enforcement Support Service which is funded from fishing licence income as part of the Angling Trust’s National Angling Strategic Services contract with the Environment Agency.

More information on Modern Slavery can be found here

Rod licence weBsites clampdown to stop ‘copycats’ overcharging

12/8/2019

Official Website

Peter Jones has been campaigning to get adverts from 'copycat' websites that offer to supply rod licences at a higher cost to be removed from search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing.

As many as 10,000 anglers were caught last year by ‘copycat’ rod licence websites. They thought they were getting their licence direct from the Environment Agency but ended up paying a surcharge.

Peter explained: “These companies pay for Google or Yahoo to ensure they come up first on the search list before the official website.

“People can then be fooled into thinking they are using an official website as they seem like the real thing.

“The search engines’ own rules do not allow adverts from ‘copycat’ companies, and will take down the ad if it is brought to their attention which I did.

“Unfortunately the companies can change their domain name and pay for a new advert, and action can only be taken by reporting them to the search engines and the EA.

“Even if the ads are blocked the company website will still come up on searches, albeit lower lower down the list, so anglers still might use them,” Peter concluded.

The EA explained their own stance on rod licence websites, and they are behind Peter’s moves.

A spokesperson said: “We urge the public to be aware of third-party websites offering selling licences.

“We are liaising with Google, Bing and other search engines to help them identify any sites that may be in breach of search engine advertising policies.

“Any anglers who spot a third-party website advertising fishing licences on search engines can report it to the EA’s National Customer Contact Centre 03708 506 506.

“Please make sure you have the right website if you use a search engine to find GOV.UK and remember the only place you need to go is https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence,” he concluded.

FISH O MANIA JUNIORS IN FOR 2020 EXPANSION

11/8/2019

Billy Marlow the reigning Fish‘O’Mania 2019 junior champion

Fish‘O’Mania Juniors will expand to an eight-angler field for 2020 with an increased winners’ prize of £2,500, making it the largest and best supported junior contest in the country!

The Juniors match features the top anglers from the Angling Trust Juniors & Youth National Championships and takes place alongside the Fish‘O’Mania Grand Final, which in 2020 take place at Hayfield Lakes, Doncaster on Saturday, July 11. Billy Marlow is the reigning Fish‘O’Mania Juniors champion after capturing the title in 2019.

With the winner of the Angling Trust Ladies National Championship now earning direct entry into the Grand Final and Grand Final qualifiers open to all participants aged 16 and over, sadly the Fish‘O’Mania Ladies will no longer take place.

Fish‘O’Mania 2020 will again be hosted by Hayfield Lakes in Doncaster, with Andy Bennett already qualified as defending champion. He’ll be joined by the 2019 Ladies National champion, 18 UK qualifiers and four international qualifiers.

Details of the 2020 Fish‘O’Mania qualifiers will be announced in due course on Fish’O’Mania’s webpage and tickets will follow on the Angling Trust booking page.

VOULUNTEER BAILIFFS CARRY OUT OVER 3,650 PATROLS DURING COARSE FISHING CLOSE SEASON WITH 131 OFFENCES REPORTED.

9/8/2019

Voluntary Bailiff’s Patrolling Waters

The Angling Trust’s Voluntary Bailiff Service took part in one of the biggest crackdowns on illegal fishing during the coarse fish close season, with volunteers carrying out over 3,650 patrols amounting to a total of 8,798 hours.
Operation Clampdown 7, the

seventh consecutive multi-agency close season initiative, ended on 15 June and saw 267 of the Trust’s 503 volunteer bailiffs actively involved in OCD7 – 72 more than in 2018.

Across the country, 131 offences were reported to the Environment Agency compared with 91 last year. Interestingly, only 34 criminal matters were reported to the police as opposed to 54 during OCD6, suggesting that offenders are getting the message that fishing without permission and the theft of fish are criminal matters that will be investigated by the police.

Crucially, this activity generated 77 intelligence reports, an incredible 76 of which were converted to actual intelligence logs shared with the Environment Agency and police.

National Enforcement Manager Dilip Sarkar MBE explained: “During the close season offenders stand out like a sore thumb, providing a firm focus for the Voluntary Bailiff Service to work closely with empowered partners, especially the Environment Agency and police forces throughout England. This year, for example, 40 joint patrols took place with the police and 48 with the Agency.

“The total number of hours committed by our volunteer bailiffs amounts to a huge effort and it was pleasing to see so many social media posts concerning joint patrols with the Agency throughout OCD7. This effort continues, under the auspices of Operations Traverse and Leviathan, so the message is simple: partners are working together, awareness of fisheries crime has been massively raised, and offenders will get caught.

“We now look forward to hearing the results of prosecutions arising from the essential work by the VBS to support the Agency and police in protecting our precious fisheries.”

Commenting on the success of the intelligence logs, Intelligence Manager Gary Thomas said: “A conversion rate of 98% is unprecedented in my experience - I would usually expect around 70%, even for the police. Last year, 97 reports were generated leading to 78 logs, a log being potentially actionable information provided in a certain evidential format.

“The incredibly high figure this year is clear evidence that the training our volunteers receive is spot on, and that the quality and commitment of our volunteer bailiffs is exemplary.”

Graeme Storey, Fisheries Manager with the Environment Agency, said: “Voluntary Bailiffs are eyes and ears on waterways across England. This network of anglers, able to provide good information, is valuable in directing our enforcement patrols to catch those who damage the sport through illegal activity - including coarse fishing on rivers during close season. Our rural policing partners also supported this partnership-based initiative, engaging on 49 patrols with our staff and volunteers.”

The Voluntary Bailiff Service is part of the Angling Trust's Fisheries Enforcement Support Service which is funded by fishing licence money through the National Angling Strategic Services contract with the Environment Agency.

Bells Mill Fishery Air Ambulance Charity Match

8/8/2019

Are you interested in a charity match on Friday 16th August at Bells Mill Fishery in aid of the air ambulance

8 man vs 8 from air ambulance

Possible visit from there air ambulance helicopter

£20.00 all in

9.00am Draw and breakfast

Fish from 10.00am - 3.00pm

If you are interested you can contact Bells Mill Fishery below.

Facebook: facebook.com/bellsmillfishery2013

Website: www.bellsmillfishery.co.uk

Phone: 07875 354300

Address: Prestwood Drive, Stourbridge DY7 5QT

The Evesham festival 2019 will take place on 24th, 25th & 26th August

6/8/2019

Evesham has developed into a true family day out with a full festival village featuring great bargains on fishing gear, clothing and footwear.

Children can enjoy the fun fair and angling coaching whilst partners can enjoy the craft village and country produce stalls.

You can call in at the on-site bookmaker to back your fishing favourite and chill out with your favourite beverage in the beer tent.

There is sure to be something to suit your appetite at the huge range of refreshment stalls throughout the meadow.

Sports Stars Fishing Championship 2019

1/8/2019

Steve Davis be fishing in the Target Sports Stars Fishing Championship.

Britain's biggest and best celebrity fishing event is hoping to raise £1m for good causes. You can be there to watch it live - or catch up later on ITV.

This year its official name is the Target Sports Stars Fishing Championship.

It was formerly the PDC Fishing Championships, due to its close association with the Professional Darts Corporation.

The event returns to Hampshire’s Gold Valley Aldershot, GU11 2PT for the second year running, on Tuesday 6th August 2019.

The day (including a break for lunch) runs from 11am to 7pm.

Everyone is welcome to go along and watch the action unfold.

General tickets to watch are free. To apply simply email [email protected]

(Note that there is a car parking charge of £10 per car with proceeds going to charity).

The turnout of top names gets stronger and stronger each year, and more varied to cover even more sports.

All competitors are keen to show off their skills – or simply eager to get to grips with fishing.

Expert anglers, including many big names, are also on hand to help novices, making it a friendly day… for a great cause and aiming for a million for charity.

Organiser Jess Harding has set himself a huge £1 million ‘lifetime’ charity target.

The former heavyweight boxer said: “Without doubt, this is the most enjoyable event we stage throughout the year.

To see sportsmen and women compete in a competition that they are not associated with is fantastic.

The fact that we will be raising considerable funds for charity makes the day even more special.

So far, we have raised £21,000, and we are guaranteeing at least £15,000 for our charities.

I have a long-term target of growing the event and raising £1 million in my lifetime, even if I have to live until 90 to do so, as I want to achieve something really worthwhile.

Virtually all the money comes from our sponsors.

General admission is free, apart from a £10 car park charge that goes to the charities, but there are also hospitality tickets on sale.”

Jess added: “It is well worth coming to watch the event, though it will also be broadcast on ITV4 over two evenings, on August 29 and 30, as well as being broadcast in 32 other countries.

“There will also be live coverage across all Target Sports social media platforms, including exclusive interviews with the competitors, special challenges and behind-the-scenes access.

“I would like to thank Target and all our associate sponsors for their help. Without them, the Championship would not be possible,” added Jess, the director of JBD Events.

The match brings together top stars from the world of sport to raise funds for charities, the main beneficiary being Parkinsons UK, although a donation is also being made to the Macmillan trust.

Other sports stars competing in the 2019 event include darts legends Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis, former footballer Jimmy Bullard, former World snooker champion Steve Davis OBE, former boxer George Groves and former England rugby union star Micky Skinner.