Recreational Bluefin Tuna Fishery Consultation Launched
Defra has launched a consultation on ‘Permitting regimes for the recreational targeting of bluefin tuna in UK waters’. The consultation is open until 4th September 2023. You can view the consultation here: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/recreational-aquaculture-and-migratory-team/bft-recreational-fishery/ This is the next step in the development of policy options regarding the establishment of a Catch and Release Recreational Fishery (CRRF). Last year’s consultation on […]
Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel Mixed Flatfish Fisheries Management Plan Consultation Opens
Monday 17th July the Southern North Sea and Eastern Channel Mixed Flatfish Fisheries Management Plan consultation has opened for 12-weeks. The consultation closes on 1st October 2023. As the Angling Trust understand it, there will be two opportunities to respond: online consultation via Citizen Space, and in-person via a Defra roadshow (details still to be announced). You […]
Bass Fishery Management Plan Consultation Opens
After more than a decade campaigning on bass, the Angling Trust remain committed to delivering a bass fishery management plan that prioritises the sustainable rebuilding of the bass stock, maximises the benefits derived from the stock to coastal communities through equitable allocation of the bass quota and transitions the bass fishery away from environmentally damaging […]
Fish Legal prosecutes Southern Water over River Test pollution
Southern Water, which provides water and wastewater for East Kent, parts of Sussex, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight, is facing a private prosecution for polluting the River Test in Hampshire. Environmental organisation Fish Legal last week served summons on the water company at its head office in Worthing. The charges relate to pollution entering […]
Government and Environment Agency face High Court challenge over Yorkshire River pollution
Next week, the High Court will hear a judicial review of Government and Environment Agency decision-making that anglers claim has failed to stop two decades of pollution at Costa Beck, a small, spring-fed river in North Yorkshire. The legal challenge, being brought by Fish Legal on behalf of Pickering Fishery Association, is focused on updated, […]
Angling Trust launches ‘Fishing for Good’ 5-year plan
The Angling Trust has launched its vision for fishing and the environment in its five-year strategic plan, Fishing for Good 2023-28. Through the pillars of campaigning, participation, competitions and supporting grass roots clubs and fisheries, the report outlines how the Angling Trust will play a leading role in achieving key goals that will enrich and […]
Environment Agency warns of invasive Pacific pink salmon threat to UK rivers
The Environment Agency has warned of the threat of invasive Pacific pink salmon and urged anglers to report catches or sightings of invasive pink salmon, which are expected to appear in UK waters this year. In 2019 and 2021, there were numerous sightings of invasive pink salmon in UK waters and – with pink salmon […]
Angling Trust: ‘Fish kills: Let’s be clear – they are not natural and not inevitable…’
A little spell of hot weather with some thunderstorms, some of which are locally heavy. The result? A spike in fish kills across our rivers and the loss of many thousands of magnificent and highly prized fish. In the past few weeks, the North West of England has been particularly badly affected, but we have […]
No sandeel fishing for 2023 in effort to protect marine ecosystem
• UK fishermen will not be permitted to catch or swap any of the UK’s 5,773 tonnes of North Sea sandeel quota in 2023. • Sandeels are an important food source for various marine birds, such as puffins and kittiwakes. • By not allowing sandeel fishing for 2023, Defra aims to reduce negative impacts on […]
International Game Fish Association Launches Pioneering Billfish Research and Conservation Endowment Campaign
The International Game Fish Association (IGFA), a global leader in game fish conservation, is proud to announce the launch of its Billfish Research and Conservation Endowment Campaign, an ambitious initiative focused on ensuring the future of these iconic species. The unparalleled initiative will provide long-term funding solutions that support studies that augment data on billfish […]
England’s first national Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code launches to help people enjoy the coast responsibly
• First national Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code launches in England to help protect animals and habitats • The code encourages those visiting our unique coastlines to do so in a way which also protects our marine wildlife such as seals, seabirds and dolphins • The code was developed in collaboration with Whale and Dolphin […]
How is your rod licence money spent?
The Environment Agency (EA) has released its Fisheries Annual Report for 21/22 which details how and where fishing licence income is spent. During the financial year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 the EA sold 934,760 fishing licences which generated an income of £21,854,093. So how has this income helped promote fishing? The report […]
Environment Agency warns of threat of Prussian carp and other non-native species in UK waters
• Environment Agency’s National Fisheries Laboratory carries out crucial work to curb threats from Prussian carp in UK waters • Investigations have also detected new non-native fish species known commonly as ‘ginbuna’ and ‘nigorobuna’ in a limited number of waters in the south of England • Environment Agency urges anglers to report any potential sightings […]
England Under 21 Match Angling Squad Selected for River Sorraia World Youth Championships, Portugal
Angling Trust Team England U20 manager Jason Kirk has named his squad for this year’s World Youth Championships following an action-packed assessment day at Barston Lakes on Sunday May 7, 2023. Fourteen anglers between the age of 15 and 20 were selected to attend the session on the main lake at the Midlands’ complex and […]
Drennan Barnsley complete unique treble in Commercial Team National at Lindholme Lakes
There is no stopping Drennan Barnsley Blacks at the moment as they added to an already bulging trophy cabinet with a third victory in as many years at the Angling Trust Team Commercial National. The squad – who also claimed a trio of Winter League final victories in February – made short work of this […]