The BRFC met at the Fishmongers Hall, London on 7th May 2007. Present were Ian Epps (National Federation of Anglers), David Rowe (Secretary), Chris Clark (National Federation of Sea Anglers), Oliver Crimmen (Natural History Museum), Scientific Advisor, Nigel Hewlett (Environment Agency), Scientific Advisor, Malcolm Hanson (Salmon & Trout Association), Mike Heylin (Specialist Anglers Alliance) & Andy Nellist (Specialist Anglers Alliance).

The following claims were ratified by the committee:

Coarse Fish

Silver Bream (Blicca bjoerkna), 2lbs 2 ozs, Mr Alan  Storey,  22 April 2008, West Sussex Fishery

Game Fish 

Salmon – Pacific Humped Back (Orcorhynchus gorbuscha), 3lbs 8ozs 12drms Mr Lious Hunte,r 21 July 2007, River Tweed, Scotland

Sea Fish – Mini Species   

Poor Cod (Trisopteros minutes, 13 oz, Mr Adam Slack, 24 Nov 2003, Berry Head, Torquay 

1/  Other claims considered by the committee:-

A claim for a new record for the coarse fish species chub submitted by Mr Robert Bevan Jones at 10lbs 5oz was rejected by the Freshwater Sub Group, because the photographic evidence was not of a sufficient quality for the sub committee to recommend to the full committee that the fish was a new record.

A claim for a new record for the coarse fish species perch at 6lb 2oz submitted by Mr Robert Townsend was rejected by the Freshwater sub Group, because there were too many inconsistencies in the written and photographic evidence for the sub committee to recommend to the full committee that the fish was a new record.

3/  Use of DNA for Identification of Species

The Committee again discussed progress on the use of DNA to confirm the species of a fish and is near to agreeing a procedure that would enable such a method to be used. It will continue its investigations prior to a final decision being made.

3/  Sea Fish Species:

There a six sea fish claims in progress, the fish having been positively identified, and as soon as the forms are completed, returned and checked for the correct procedures being observed they will be considered and a decision made prior to the next meeting at the end of the year.

The next meeting of the full committee is scheduled for November 2008.