DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (453/07) issued by
The Government News Network on 6 December 2007
Sea anglers are
being urged to have their say on new proposals to benefit their
sport and the marine environment.
Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw today published a strategy which
aims to develop a package of measures to enhance sea angling in England.
Drawn up with the help of anglers' groups including the
National Federation of Sea Anglers, Bass Anglers Sportfishing
Society and the Sea Anglers Conservation Network as well as
commercial fishermen, the draft Recreational Sea Angling Strategy
aims to boost the sport's numbers while helping to improve
fish stocks and the marine environment.
Around one million people spend about £538million a year fishing
by the sea, underlining the sport's economic potential for
coastal communities and businesses.
Among the proposals are a range of conservation measures to
improve fish stocks, a national code of conduct for anglers, and a
new sea angling licence, money from which would be reinvested to
benefit anglers and improve services.
Jonathan Shaw said:
"The strategy is an excellent example of collaborative
working between anglers, commercial fishermen, local fisheries
managers and others.
"Recreational sea anglers make a substantial contribution to
the economy, and we need to ensure that their needs are considered
as we develop fisheries policies."
Jonathan Shaw recently announced further new measures to help sea
anglers including plans for a review of bass nursery areas and
inshore netting restrictions.
To see the strategy proposals in full, go to: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/sea-angling/index.htm.
Deadline for responses to the consultation is 31 March 2008
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on
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