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NFFO to Resist Exclusion Zones in Recreational Sea Angling Strategy

Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw recently launched a draft Recreational Sea Angling Strategy to boost the sport’s numbers whilst helping to improve fish stocks and the marine environment.  A consultation, based on this Strategy document is now open and the NFFO is focused on ensuring that commercial fisheries are not disadvantaged.

The deadline for comments is March 31st 2008 – Federation members can contact Doug Beveridge at dbeveridge@nffo.org.uk to contribute to the NFFO’s response. 

Mr Beveridge said:  “The fishing industry acknowledges that recreational sea anglers are legitimate stakeholders - the NFFO recognises they should be directly involved in relevant marine and fisheries policy making and that recreational data and information should be added to the knowledge base to help inform local decision-making.  However, despite the aspirations of the recreational sector, we are not convinced that any meaningful contribution to management plans for fish stocks or European fisheries management, with all its intricacies, can come from the sector.  The NFFO will be strongly resisting any Exclusion Zones which would prohibit fishing.”
The Strategy, which was drawn up by the National Federation of Sea Anglers, Bass Anglers Sportfishing Society and the Sea Anglers Conservation Network as well as commercial fishermen, proposes:

    • a range of conservation measures to improve fish stocks;

    • a national code of conduct for anglers;

    • a new sea angling licence, money from which would be    reinvested to benefit anglers and improve services;

    • increased management of recreational sea angling e.g. the    introduction of license fees and logbooks/bag limits;

    • consideration of recreational only species; 

    • increased Maximum Landing Sizes (MLS) and the use of    MLS as a policy tool;

    • Angling Only Areas – anglers have requested a prohibition    on commercial fisheries within 1nm of the coast;

    • Species Management Plans – intended to maximise angling    opportunities. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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