THE NFA has landed a panel of top class speakers for their ambitious Seminar planned for Monday, November 1, 2004 at the National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham.

The Minister for Sport, the Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP, Martin Salter MP, the Parliamentary Fishing and Shooting Spokesperson, Dr Dafydd Evans, Head of Fisheries, EA, Dr Keith Hendry, NFA Honorary Biologist, Glyn Williams, NFA Angling Development Manager and NFA vice-president John Mitchell have agreed to speak along with Richard Wightman from the Environment Agency.

President of the NFA, Terry Fell, enthused: “The timing of the Seminar at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham is absolutely right. The NFA has an office at the impressive Sport England location. We are at an advanced stage of discussion talking to Sport England about Angling’s Whole Sport Plan.

“Martin Salter has co-ordinated a strategy and the law is being changed to give us a far more flexible approach to restricting the progress of inland cormorants. The NFA travelled to Brighton last week to host a fishing and shooting Reception at the Labour Party Conference. Three ministers attended that Reception which flew the flag for our sport. Another result from the Reception is Baroness Farrington has offered to host a Reception in the House of Lords for us. This is presenting angling in a good light to the decision makers of this country and getting them on our side.

“Only 150 people can be seated in the Conference room at Holme Pierrepont and I expect every seat to be taken. There has never been a better chance to listen to the sports leaders and ask questions on the many problems that concern anglers.

“Our qualified coaches collected more than 10,000 new recruits to angling for the four months May 1 – August 31, a truly magnificent achievement, which has been recognised by the Minister for Sport, who will present a certificate to Glyn Williams on behalf of the coaches who accomplished this landmark record.”

Parliamentary Fishing and Shooting Spokesperson, Martin Salter MP, is chairing the Seminar which commences at 11am with a break for a free buffet lunch and recommencing at 2 pm until a 4.15 pm finish.

The Agenda is lively with Dr Dafydd Evans, Head of Fisheries EA and Dr Keith Hendry, NFA Honorary Biologist, discussing the Future of UK Rivers while NFA vice-president John Mitchell takes the stage to present Angling’s Whole Sport Plan and a Single Governing Body for Angling. NFA Angling Development Manager, Glyn Williams, explains how the Joint Angling Governing Bodies (JAGB) set about attracting new recruits to the sport. Richard Wightman from the EA will discuss Partnerships and the Supporting Role the EA play in the sport. Martin Salter MP will explain what went on behind the scenes to negotiate a change in the law to enable more cormorants to be shot without putting the bird under threat of extinction.

NFA President Terry Fell said: “This is a great opportunity to raise angling’s profile and send the important guest speakers home with a proper understanding of what we expect from our rod licence fee and from our peers. This Seminar could be one of the most important milestones in angling history.”