Bait Digging Dialogue Southern Region

The Southern IFCA recently held its first working group meeting looking at bait collection in the district. The IFCAs now have responsibility for managing bait collection and for ensuring that it doesn’t cause damage or disturbance to other protected habitats and species.

Representatives of the Angling Trust were present at the meeting along with IFCA officers, conservation officers from various groups and those representing professional bait digging and bait retailers. The first meeting allowed those present to voice their concerns and understand a bit more about what reasons were for taking an interest in bait collection. IFCA officers were very keen to point out that there was no intention to ban bait collection but that they now have a duty to manage it as a result of the Marine and Coastal Access Act.

The Angling Trust made it clear that we support the right of individuals to collect bait for their own use in a sustainable way and that commercially dug bait is essential to recreational sea angling too. No decisions were made and a second meeting is planned for October.