THE International Angling Confederation (La Confédération Internationale de la Pêche Sportive – CIPS) which groups the four International Angling Federations composed of 110 National Federations from 54 countries and which represents a minimum of 60 000 000 members, unanimously adopted, during its Congress held in Locarno from 10th to 13th April 2003, the Angler’s Charter which was presented initially during the Environment Symposium of the World Flyfishing Championships in the Vosges (July 2002) by the French Flyfishing and Casting Federation.
This charter was taken up by FIPS-M and finally presented to the other Sport Fishing Federations and was well received during the above mentioned Congress which has just finished. It is therefore applicable for flyfishermen and sea and freshwater anglers. It is proof that sport fishing and the protection of the environment go together which everyone had already guessed but which had not been set out clearly.
Moral Charter for international sport fishing
Art.1 Sport fisherman must defend through his activity (leisure or competition) the spirit defined by the Olympic ideals as well as environmental protection. He must respect water and fish, and show by his behaviour towards freshwater ecosystems the respect of a fishing ethics.
Art.2 While adhering to a F.I.P.S. affiliated national structure, he commits:
1°) to promote limiting the number of fish catches per day, and to make personally a rule to increase the minimal size of non-released fishes, respecting the population dynamics of each species.
2°) to also ask, each time it could be necessary, with the regional or national Official Authorities, as well as with the fishing management organizations, taking into account these objectives so that they could become objects of legal application.
3°) according to his competences, to put a lot into supporting the development of our practice in accordance with the spirit of this Charter. According to his personal behaviour, he commits thus to be as a model for the youngest generations.
4°) to update and improve continuously his knowledge about hydrobiology, to better understand for himself and to better render comprehensible with the others, the need for a scientifically based management of freshwater ecosystems.
