Author: geepster

Former editor of many a fishing magazine, owner of Total-Fishing.com and MD of a pest control company!!

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]