Recreational Sea Angling Strategy Published

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Plan to net sea anglers better fishing

Sea anglers are being urged to have their say on new proposals to benefit their sport and the marine environment.

Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw today published a strategy which aims to develop a package of measures to enhance sea angling in England.

Drawn up with the help of anglers’ groups including the National Federation of Sea Anglers, Bass Anglers Sportfishing Society and the Sea Anglers Conservation Network as well as commercial fishermen, the draft Recreational Sea Angling Strategy aims to boost the sport’s numbers while helping to improve fish stocks and the marine environment.

Around one million people spend about £538 million a year fishing by the sea, underlining the sport’s economic potential for coastal communities and businesses.

Among the proposals are a range of conservation measures to improve fish stocks, a national code of conduct for anglers, and a new sea angling licence, money from which would be reinvested to benefit anglers and improve services.

Jonathan Shaw said:

“The strategy is an excellent example of collaborative working between anglers, commercial fishermen, local fisheries managers and others.

“Recreational sea anglers make a substantial contribution to the economy, and we need to ensure that their needs are considered as we develop fisheries policies.”

Jonathan Shaw recently announced further new measures to help sea anglers including plans for a review of bass nursery areas and inshore netting restrictions.

To see the strategy proposals in full, go to: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/sea-angling/index.htm

Deadline for responses to the consultation is 31 March 2008

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