Following the launch of the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association’s (EFTTA) campaign to make Governments across Europe aware of the issues surrounding the introduction of sea licences, the NFA would like to pledge its support and would urge all anglers to follow suit by joining the online petition created by EFTTA.

EFTTA launched its campaign following the introduction of recreational sea licences in Portugal in January. Since the licences were introduced, the Portuguese tackle trade has seen a 60% reduction in sales, indicating massive falls in participation.

Neither the NFA nor EFTTA argues against any well thought out licensing scheme for recreational sea anglers, as long as the monies received can be accounted for and go back into developing the sport.

Any income from licences should go toward providing the necessary and much-needed funds to develop the resource of the sport and also create greater and improved access in order to increase participation. There is a growing need to protect the marine environment if we are to improve and preserve fish stocks.

The NFA is aware that good numbers of coarse anglers also go sea fishing and therefore any decision from Government regarding the introduction of recreational sea fishing licences will have implications for the whole of angling. We would urge all anglers to support EFTTA and join its online petition which can be found at:

www.ipetitions.com/petition/eftta-licences/

Paul Baggaley, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Anglers commented, “Income from licence sales should go back into the sport.  Any proposal to introduce sea licences must take into consideration the preservation and development of the marine environment and the necessity to increase participation in the sport”.