PRESS RELEASE

IT is amazing when you look at all the conservation pressure groups in the UK that there appear to be none specifically aimed at conserving fish for their own sakes.
There are some that wish to conserve the angling potential and some organisations such as the Environment Agency and English Nature have responsibility for conservation issues affecting fish but where is the Fish Conservation Organisation. Are fish really not charismatic mega fauna attracting interest for their own sake?

The Institute of Fisheries Management is holding a one day seminar in the hope of  identifying some of the issues around British Freshwater Fish  conservation and perhaps look at the gap in the market.

The talks will cover individual fish species such as the crucian carp, the dace and the eel by leading experts in the field. These talks will outline the problems being faced by these species, some of the activities that are helping them and what the future holds. There will also be a talk on the new publication “The Database and Atlas of British freshwater Fish” which will be an invaluable guide to the current distribution of the freshwater fish species currently recorded in the British Isles. A further talk on the fate of the burbot in Britain is also being planned.

For fisheries managers the morning will also be a chance to hear about the new Codes of Practice for Stillwater Fisheries Management, which have been developed by the IFM. Ash Girdler from the IFM will be there to present the codes and to take questions from anyone interested.

The Seminar is to take place on Saturday 28th February 2004

At Brooksby Melton College, Brooksby Campus, Leicestershire

Cost will be £15.00 including buffet lunch and coffee.

For further information and to book places please contact  Valerie Holt, 22 Rushworth Avenue, West Bridgeford, Nottingham, NG2 7LF. (0115) 982 2317. Valerie@ifmt.fsnet.co.uk.