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Fishing Closed Season divides anglers

18/9/2019

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The final decision of the Environment Agency to retain the current Closed Season has split the angling community in a similar way to Brexit.

The fishing Closed Season remains as it was in England and Wales, preventing anglers trying for fish like barbel in rivers between March 15 and June 15 inclusive.
Many are angry at the outcome of the river fishing Closed Season consultation. Some have questioning the role of the Angling Trust, who they believe should have campaigned for change.

The springtime public consultation produced a closely balanced outcome, but a clear majority wanted change rather than the March 15 to June 15 break that the EA have settled on. Out 13,680 responses, just 38.8 per cent of people wanted to retain that current fishing Closed Season, which affects coarse fishing on rivers in England and Wales.

There were 9.2 per cent in favour of reform by changing the dates to 15 April to 30 June; and the biggest slice of the vote, 49.8 per cent, sought the fishing Closed Season’s total abolition.
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John Williams, chairman of the UK’s largest angling club, Birmingham AA, has led the ongoing backlash. He fumed: “To me, the Angling Trust should have been actively campaigning for abolition, as this would reflect the views of anglers and is obviously to the benefit of angling generally, but the ‘dinosaurs’ won the day.

“Basically, the Angling Trust is in the pocket of the EA and won’t do anything to upset them, as that’s where they get nearly all of their money from. Until the Trust decides to properly stand up for anglers as a truly independent body, it will continue to fail to attract more new members. Let’s hope the Trust’s new chief exec (Jamie Cook) will make a difference,” he added.

Fishing Closed Season still a ‘live issue’

Angling Trust policy chief Martin Salter said: “The Angling Trust did not take any formal position in lobbying for or against a change in the rivers Closed Season, but did support a full review of the evidence on the possible impact on fish stocks of any changes to the current arrangements.

“As an organisation committed to conservation, it would be irresponsible of us to do anything else. "However, we accept that this is a live issue and we wanted anglers on both sides of this debate to have their voices heard and for the arguments to be tested. This has now happened, and the EA has come to a decision.

“We hosted all the info on the Angling Trust website and published a wide range of views on the subject to help inform the debate. With a finely balanced response to the consultation, it is inevitable that one side or the other will be disappointed with the eventual decision.

“It was also clear that there was little appetite for change by the EA, which has decided to adopt a precautionary approach.

“However, at least we have now had an opportunity to look at the available evidence for a rivers Closed Season, as well as examining the regimes in place in other countries with similar fish populations.

“Anglers are split down the middle on the highly contentious issue, and those in favour of change will feel discontented.

“But when only under 14,000 out of 900,000 licence holders bothered to participate in the survey, angler apathy could well have had something to do with the outcome,” Martin added.
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POUNDLAND enters fishing market

11/9/2019

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Fishing has cheap as a £1
Cut-price UK retail chain, Poundland, has revealed plans to enter the fishing tackle market following the introduction of a bait range into selected stores in the West Midlands.
The company, renowned for offering its staple product range at just a £1 has joined forces with match fishing expert, Steve Barraclough, to present a value range of baits priced from £1.00 to £2.00

And a spokeswoman for the company confirmed that it has been working on rolling out other items of tackle which will hit the shelves in the future.

“Poundland expects to bring an even bigger range to all stores at the beginning of March 2020,” she added.

The news has been met with indignation by anglers and those in the trade alike, voicing concerns about the effect it will have on an already under pressure UK market.

Poundland claims that with three million anglers spending 22.5 million days a year on the bank, the fishing industry is worth £700 million annually. It says: “The company hopes its new range will allow new anglers to get involved in the sport and its quality means it will also appeal to angling experts who will not have to cast out hundreds of pounds.”

Holly Mobley, Head of Merchandise, said: “Steve hooked us with his fishing experience and the quality of this new range we have put together is really high.

“The new Poundland fishing bait is another element of the company’s ‘simple price’ pilot as Poundland transforms its customer offer to become a broader ‘one-stop’ shop.”

The range is being trialled in local stores Bromsgrove, Stourbridge, Kidderminister Swan Centre, Malvern Retail Park, Worcester and will include such baits has pellets, groundbaits and baits.

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New Equipment To Help Combat Illegal Fishing

9/9/2019

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Funding has helped secure new specialist equipment to boost fisheries enforcement patrols.
 
The new kit, which cost over £15,000, consists of a high grade digital SLR camera, night vision monocular and night 

vision binoculars. It will allow officers to carry out more regular patrols and make night checks for illegal fishing more effective.

The technology was funded by Defra's Water and Environment Improvement Fund, which is used to enhance fisheries and the environment as part of Defra's 25 Year Environment plan.

Alex Thomson, fisheries enforcement officer for the Environment Agency, said:

"The new kit will enhance our detection and surveillance capabilities. Combined with our specialist training and specific powers, the tech will allow us to cover more ground, get better evidence, and work more effectively into and through the hours of darkness.

"This is invaluable in detecting and preventing illegal poaching activities, and protecting our valuable coarse fish and eel stocks."

Fisheries officers have the power to arrest and detain, enter lands, stop and search, seize boats, vessels, vehicles and instruments and require the production of fishing licences. Those caught can be given a range of punishments, including fines of up to £2,500.

To report any illegal fishing activity, call our 24-hour Incident Hotline number on 0800 80 70 60.

To buy a fishing licence, visit https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence

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Volunteers needed for Building Bridges Project in your region

2/9/2019

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Building Bridges Project Manager Jan Kansik (left)
The highly successful Building Bridges Project now seeks volunteers to support its inspirational work educating and integrating migrant anglers from central and eastern Europe.
Building Bridges, which has a small but dedicated team, is looking to increase its reach and support of the angling community by setting up a network of volunteers, starting with two in each of the Angling Trust Fisheries Enforcement Support Service’s six English regions.
 
The volunteers will work closely with Building Bridges Project Officers, Regional Enforcement Managers and the Voluntary Bailiff Service, supporting clubs, fisheries and the migrant angling communities through the provision of multi-lingual information. Volunteers will receive appropriate training and be directly supported by Project Manager Jan Kansik.
 
National Volunteers Manager Karen Sarkar said: “There are many anglers out there keen to put something back into the sport we all love and this is another opportunity provided by the Angling Trust and Environment Agency to do just that. Volunteers are essential to our work and we are committed to providing such opportunities, ensuring that our volunteers receive the best in support and training. This is a great opportunity to support an already successful initiative.”
 
Building Bridges Project Manager Jan Kansik said: “By first creating a small network of volunteers throughout England, we can lay the foundation for a bigger network in future. This would greatly expand upon the good work our Project Officers already do and is a really exciting initiative. Obviously, the ability to speak both English and another language such as Polish, Lithuanian or Romanian would be an advantage because the role involves liaising with angling clubs and fisheries.
 
"We also would like British anglers to come aboard, to help with introductions to angling clubs and fisheries, and raise awareness of what Building Bridges can do to help them. A network of volunteers would really help us get out there, visiting more clubs and fisheries, and ensuring that everyone has access to the resources we can provide. Ideally, we would like our volunteers to consider supporting us at least two hours per week, although this is entirely flexible.”
 
Building Bridges is part of the Fisheries Enforcement Support Service and funded by freshwater fishing licences through the National Angling Strategic Services contract awarded by the Environment Agency to the Angling Trust.
 
For further information:
 
Building Bridges Project Manager Jan Kansik
07495 433615    janusz.kansik@anglingtrust.net
 
National Volunteers Manager Karen Sarkar
07495 122503 karen.sarkar@anglingtrust.net
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