Stuie Posted March 8, 2021 Report Share Posted March 8, 2021 View in browser | Latest news from the Angling Trust & Fish Legal MARCH 2021 Threat of fuel hike for boat anglers is dropped Boat anglers will no longer face a hike in the cost of running their vessels after Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in last week's budget that the government had dropped plans to remove the entitlement to 'red diesel' for the use of recreational boats in both coastal and inland waters. The Angling Trust, along with other boating interests, had objected to the proposed change. We pointed out that the cost of fuel is one of the biggest determining factors in boat angling participation and, if anglers were required to use 'white diesel', the higher cost of running vessels could impact on the government’s National Angling Strategy and Sport England objectives to increase angling participation. Full story Angling Trust moves to ensure angling will not be banned in proposals to protect MPA from damaging fishing activity The Angling Trust has responded to a consultation by the Marine Management Organisation to ensure angling is not inadvertently banned from a Marine Protected Area off the Lincolnshire coast where a draft bylaw designed to protect sensitive and important seabed habitats and species from damaging activities will ban ‘static’ fishing gear and could have included angling had the Angling Trust not intervened. For more on the story click here. New online forums prove popular with anglers Last month we launched our new series of online forums with a hugely popular themed event on the return of the blue shark to UK waters followed by an evening with the Cornwall IFCA. Recordings of both events can be viewed here. Register now to attend the next themed event on March 11th this time putting a spotlight on one of the UK’s top apex predators – the magnificent porbeagle shark. To find out more and register to attend click here. Keep your eyes out for details of the next event ‘An evening with the Devon & Severn IFCA’ and how to register, taking place on March 25th. Specimen Award Scheme The Specimen Award Scheme for December received 60 entries from 15 clubs. The top Senior was Mark Bryce from Rodbenders SAC who caught a spur dog of 12lb 11oz from the shore at north Devon, which is in Area B, giving him a percentage of 158.59%. The top Junior was Logan Parry who caught a lesser spotted dogfish of 2lb 10oz from a boat out of Salcombe, in Area C, giving him a percentage of 132.25%. Reminder – the Specimen Award Scheme is currently closed due to lockdown restrictions. Check out our marine blogs Head of Sea Angling, David Mitchell, has shared his thoughts this month on the ongoing fishing negotiations between the UK and EU over bass fishing and how the government is missing an opportunity to sell a good news story about sea angling. Consultation on marine vessel flare disposal The Department for Transport is currently consulting to seek the views of the pleasure vessel community in the UK on the disposal of pyrotechnic flares. The consultation specifically focuses on the disposal of flares carried on-board pleasure craft for distress alerting. This is a particular problem for boat anglers needing to dispose of out-of-date flares. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency currently offer a ‘last-resort’ service of receiving out-of-date flares at 18 designated and licensed sites. This service was initially offered by the MCA as a temporary solution and DfT are keen to find a practical alternative. The Angling Trust will be responding to the consultation which closes at 11:45pm on 15th March. You can respond by downloading the response form and emailing it to TEPconsultation@dft.gov.uk. Anglers Against Pollution All rivers lead to the sea and it’s no secret that our marine and coastal environments are suffocating in pollution. From pesky plastics to raw sewage, pollution is having detrimental impacts on our fish, environment and health. You can take action today by signing our petition and sharing your photos of marine pollution online by using the hashtag #anglersagainstpollution and tagging us on social media. You can even go one step further and show your support by wearing an Anglers Against Pollution t-shirt with profits going to support the campaign. Anglers Against Pollution: find out more Fish of the month: Conger eel The UK has a long history of conger eel angling. The current rod-caught world record is a fish of 133lb 4oz caught out of Brixham in 1995. Many fish over 100lb have been caught from the wrecks along the English Channel. While only a relatively small number of anglers regularly target congers they are often caught over wrecks and rocky ground while fishing for other species – both from boats and from the shore. The British Conger Club was formed in 1962 and is one of the oldest specialist angling clubs in the country. Congers of over 200lb have been landed into UK ports commercially but little is known about their true maximum size. Most congers are returned to the sea and, if handled respectfully, survive well on being released. Stay Safe - check our Covid advice While fishing is permitted during this current national lockdown in England under the exercise provisions, it must take place locally, in a socially distanced manner and only once a day. As we move out of lockdown over coming months, we'll be updating our advice for anglers on our Covid-19 Support Hub: Covid-19 Support Hub Information about fishing in Wales can be found on the Fishing In Wales website Pick up a bargain - and help protect fish and fishing! There are some great lots in this year's Online Auction including the chance to bid for fantastic sea angling tackle. All funds raised will support the work of the Angling Trust and Fish Legal. Take a look at what's on offer... Click for Online Auction 2021 Biggest and best Great Fishing Prize Draw - enter today! There's still time to enter our Great Fishing Prize Draw - and it's even bigger and better than last year! We've lined up eight legends from the world of angling who have kindly donated their time to offer eight lucky winners what is sure to be a memorable day's fishing! Whether you are a coarse, sea, carp, match or game angler, we promise you won't be disappointed. For your chance to win a day's fishing with Dave Barham, Paul Whitehouse, Bob Nudd, Steve Ringer, Ali Hamidi, James Stokoe, Alan Blair or Hywel Morgan look out for details on the Angling Trust website and Facebook page! Not yet a member? Please join today and support our work Supporting our work to protect and grow the sport you love has never been more important. We have been campaigning for over 10 years to ensure that we have a stronger voice for angling in Parliament, investing in coaching and recruitment to grow our sport, making progress on predation and campaigning to halt pollution of our waters. Become a member for just £29 per year and we’ll give you access to an exclusive list of discounts - plus you can choose a fantastic free gift! Find out more The Angling Trust We are a not for profit organisation, representing anglers, fighting for fish, fishing and the environment. We are recognised by the Government as the National Governing Body for angling in England and partner with Visit Wales and Natural Resources Wales to promote Fishing in Wales. We are a member-based organisation made up of anglers of all disciplines providing a united front to represent, grow and protect our sport. By becoming a member of the Angling Trust you are helping to protect the waterways you fish in and the fish which live within them, ensuring their health and protection for future generations. Click here for more information about membership Angling Trust Limited is a company limited by guarantee, company number 05320350. Angling Trust & Fish Legal, Eastwood House, Rainbow Street, Leominster, HR6 8DQ. Telephone: 01568 620447 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.