Steve S Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 Sea News Update | February 2024 Angling Trust prevents an increase in commercial ray landings across the eastern English Channel The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) recently ran a consultation proposing an increase to the catch limits for skates and rays in ICES area VIID (7d) - the eastern English Channel. The increase, proposed for both under and over 10m vessels, was from 2.5 tonnes monthly to 3.5 tonnes per vessel. This is in light of the overall increase in annual quota for skates and rays. These limits are reviewed frequently, with the proposal to apply the increase for February 2024. The Angling Trust responded to highlight a number of issues, including the importance of preserving the recreational economy to which the various skate and ray species deliver far greater value. In addition, we referenced the growing complaints from fish merchants around the over-supply of the species which has rapidly reduced the price per kilo of wings, with supply already exceeding demand. A recent parliamentary committee meeting highlighted that skate wings are currently being sold for as little as 26p per kilo. In our view, no fishery should be deemed viable at such a price. The MMO responded to the Angling Trust's concerns by confirming that no increase will be made at this time, pending further engagement with the fish merchants and other key stakeholders. We thank the MMO for working with us to ensure a sensible outcome that focuses on driving the right sustainable and economic outcomes from these natural resources. LYME BAY Commercial fishermen and sea anglers unite over calls for an increase in mesh size During the Lyme Bay sole fishing consultation, commercial fishermen and anglers alike have called for an increase in mesh size to five inches, with unanimous support by the commercial fishermen present in each of the meetings. Keen to ensure smaller fish escape and bycatch of fish such as smooth-hound is limited, the commercial sector present demonstrated a very conscious push for sustainable measures, not wanting the decisions on such matters to come too late and lead to “another pollack situation”. Despite this unanimous support, the MMO engaged SeaFish to conduct a report, suggesting more economic damage would be done to fishermen than the benefits it would deliver. The Angling Trust joins the local commercial fleet in calling on the MMO to make this change, which would also accompany an increase in the Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) for sole, which currently sits well below the level at which 50% of the stock would have had a chance to reproduce. POLLACK UPDATE Catch up with Pollack FISP latest news Pollack FISP is a Fisheries Industry Science Partnership led by the University of Plymouth, in partnership with the Angling Trust, the Professional Boatman’s Association and the University of York. Thank you to our partners and collaborators who have made this work possible! More information about the receiver network can be found on the FISH INTEL webpage. You can watch Dr Simon Thomas and Dr Thomas Stamp present their early results in the Angling Trust’s Virtual Forum. Pollack FISP data has not contributed to the latest ICES assessment on pollack that led to the commercial bycatch-only fishery in 2024. COMMERCIAL FISHING 'Gill net fishing for bass' article raises concern The Angling Trust has raised concerns with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) over an apparent blatant admissions in a Fishing News article of intentional targeting of bass via gill nets by commercial fishermen. The tone in which it was presented demonstrated how some within the commercial fishing sector still see no issue with targeting bass with nets, continue treating a bycatch allowance as a quota, and make a mockery of the system. We remind everyone that bass cannot be targeted through gill netting (fixed nets), with only a 1.6 tonne annual bycatch being allowed to be landed by vessels authorised by the MMO in 2024. The Angling Trust has brought this matter to the attention of the MMO. MARINE PROTECTED AREAS Bottom-towed fishing restrictions for 13 MPAs The government has announced that damaging bottom-towed commercial fishing will be restricted in 13 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to protect reef and rock habitats. The government also announced the closure of the North Sea sandeel fishery in English waters for both UK and non-UK commercial vessels. Sea anglers have long called for bottom-trawling bans in MPAs and the banning of industrial-scale fishing. The Angling Trust welcomes these overdue decisions to protect UK seas. CATCHWISE Survey team visit Lowestoft and Kessingland Our Policy and Advocacy Manager Hannah Rudd and Catchwise Coordinator Galini Samlidou were in Lowestoft and Kessingland this month for a Catchwise survey with Zach Radford and Wendy Edwards from Cefas alongside our East of England Surveyor, Darren. The team met nine anglers who were out enjoying the beach and what the North Sea has to offer. It was wonderful speaking to them all and hearing how angling is vital for their wellbeing. Dabs, pouting and whiting were the most popular fish of the day. Catchwise is the biggest nationwide survey of recreational sea angling for over a decade, supported by Defra’s Fisheries and Seafood Scheme. Thank you to all the anglers and skippers who have taken the time to speak with us so far! Vacancy: Catchwise Regional Field Surveyor The Angling Trust is offering a six-month Self Employed Contract for a Regional Field Surveyor for the Catchwise project. During the duration of the contract, the surveyor will be delivering site-based, face-to-face surveys of sea anglers in the South West (east) region, more specifically in the coastal regions between Branscombe and Highcliffe. The surveyor will be randomly allocated to up to 35 sampling days per quarter. Fishing for England at 14 - Lexie's amazing story Lexie Groves has been fishing since she was nine years old and for the last three years has had a string of successes in sea angling competitions – sometimes being the only junior competing against adults. She's even being picked to fish for England and achieved gold medal winning success! Now, at just 14, Lexie has been selected to compete for the England team again – this time at the home nations in Scotland in July and the FIPS-M World Shore Championships in Ireland. We caught up with Lexie to find out about her angling journey so far and what it is she loves about fishing. SPECIES HUNT Blustery January a big test for species hunters As expected after a very volatile month of blustery and icy cold weather conditions, the inbox has been a little quieter than previous months. However, we have seen some great catch reports and specimen entries for January. The top five anglers across the Senior, Junior, and Elite leaderboards remain fairly static. Senior league angler Alan Mundy’s gallant effort of four submissions this month keeps Alan in 3rd position but is now hot on the heels of Hampshire’s Luke Woodford. In the junior league, Kacper Karp’s one entry has moved him to joint 3rd with Mark Banham. Torquay’s junior angler Will Birch managed to catch a whopping seven species throughout January, seeing Will propel from 9th to joint 5th place with Lexie, resulting in Will taking the crown for the most species submitted in January out of all the three leagues' top five anglers. In the elite league, Somerset angler Jonathan Johnson had a productive month bagging five additional species, moving him up four places from 9th to joint 5th with Paul Wheeler. January has also been a little steadier on the specimen entries, but the monthly winner award goes to Karl Phillips’ entry of a Bull Huss measuring 110cm and tipping the scales at 11lb 10z. GET INVOLVED! If current or new anglers wish to sign up for the new season starting April 1st you can either email specieshunt@anglingtrust.net or complete the form on the Species Hunt webpage using the link below: COMPETITIONS Super Saul starts Penn Sea League season in style World No.1 Saul Page has kicked off the 2024 Angling Trust Penn Sea League season in style, topping the first leaderboard of the new year after two impressive performances in January. The 2023 league champion put a total of 38 points on the board thanks to a big win in the Irish Winter Beach Championships in County Wexford last weekend – the first time he has won this prestigious competition. A runner-up spot in ‘The Asso’ event at Hythe earlier in the month – another ‘Penn Plus’ match - earned him 18 points towards his flying start to the new campaign. Just behind is England Senior Manager Richard Yates whose 32-point score came courtesy of fourth and fifth placings in the same two events as Saul. Completing the top three is Sam Collier on 25 points. His total so far came from sixth in The Asso and tenth place in Ireland. Over 100 anglers have already scored points in January, but not all have registered for them to count for prizes and an invite into the 2025 final. If you haven’t registered yet click the link below. FUNDRAISERS Still time to win a day's shark fishing with John Locker in our Great Fishing Prize Draw 2024 How do you fancy the chance to spend a day fishing for shark with John Locker, the star of Youtube sensation ‘The Fish Locker’. Enter our Great Fishing Prize Draw and you could be one of three lucky winners to go on a shark fishing expedition with John aboard Anglo Dawn. Sailing out of Falmouth, you will be able to tap into John’s extensive knowledge and experience of these awesome fish and to spend the day with one of the most engaging characters in our sport. The Great Fishing Prize Draw also offers the chance to fish with some of the biggest names in coarse and game fishing - click the button below for more details. SOCIAL MEDIA Keep up-to-date with the latest sea fishing news - join the Angling Trust Sea Angling Facebook Group Stay up-to-date with all the latest sea angling news and join the conversation - become a member of the Angling Trust Sea Angling Facebook Group today! MEMBER OFFERS Save £££s on DFDS ferry trips to Europe 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 Also good news on the proposed netting at Salcombe For anyone who missed the news last week, we are delighted to announce that the Angling Trust were successful in leading the opposition against a netting proposal in Salcombe Estuary. You can find our full story on the final Devon and Severn IFCA vote here: https://anglingtrust.net/2024/02/23/angling-trust-delivers-a-massive-win-for-salcombe-estuary/ Devon and Severn IFCA Chief Officer, Mat Mander, had the following to say: “Undoubtedly the unprecedented level of response to the formal consultation reflected the support the Angling Trust provided by engaging so effectively with its members and the wider recreational community. The evidence and information provided through the formal consultation response undoubtedly helped D&S IFCA’s members reach their decision to maintain the prohibition on netting in Salcombe.” Thank you to everyone who engaged with us on this journey. It really demonstrated the power of our collective voice. It’s essential we use this momentum to keep winning more battles to protect the interests of our fish stocks and recreational anglers. Have a great week. Grant Jones – Sea Angling Engagement Manager, Angling Trust fisherman1055 and Maverick Martin 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mal Thomas Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 Good read and some good news. Maverick Martin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry.shutter Posted March 1 Report Share Posted March 1 Completely agree, thanks for posting Steve. I am pretty dissapointed however with Angling Trust, as i have tried to join in with two of there surveys, both have just collapsed at the end. I know as a club its been suggested we could send information regards catches, measurements etc fish killed. To support RSA has this come to anything yet? I hope the rain has stopped and wind dropped! Its lovely in Sri Lanka but the fishing is slow!!!! Mal Thomas and fisherman1055 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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