A once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a difference for inshore fish stocks
We share below a recent press release from the Angling Trust (and similar to one from Salmon & Trout Conservation UK also) which we hope you will give a few minutes of your time to read and act upon. Thank you, Fish&Fly.
The Southern Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority (IFCA), which regulates marine and estuarine waters around Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, is obliged by law to review its bylaws.
They are currently seeking views on new proposals to regulate netting in the southern estuaries including the Test, Itchen, Avon, Frome and Hamble as well as in popular angling spots such as Poole, Christchurch and Langstone harbours. However, the Angling Trust is highly critical of the current proposals, which would allow ring netting to continue taking some of the most popular recreational angling species, including bass and mullet. These nets also ‘accidentally’ catch salmon and sea trout returning to their native rivers to spawn, drawing opposition from our colleagues in the Wild Trout Trust, Salmon & Trout Conservation UK and concerns from the Environment Agency Fisheries Team.
The Angling Trust has submitted a robust response to the Southern IFCA urging them to follow the good precedent set by their neighbouring IFCAs in Cornwall and Devon and either bring an end to all netting in estuaries under their jurisdiction or to introduce a tightly controlled permit scheme.
How can you help bring an end to damaging netting practices?
It only takes five minutes to make sure that angler’s voices are heard. Please follow these simple instructions to send an email to the Southern IFCA with a copy to your local MP:
- Click this link to download the text to copy into the main body of your email.
- Download our submission by clicking this link and attach it to your email.
- If you don’t know already, find out who your local MP is by typing your postcode into the ‘They Work for You’ website. Copy their email address into your email.
- Send your email to enquiries@southern-ifca.gov.uk by 7th December!
You can find out more from the official documents on the Southern IFCA website
