No Sea Angling Licence

SACN welcomes yesterday’s statement by Jonathan Shaw MP, the Fisheries Minister, that he will not be introducing a Sea Angling Licence.

At the recent ‘Angling Summit’ held within the Parliament Buildings in Westminster, SACN repeated to the Fisheries Minister the advice previously delivered to DEFRA officials that now is not the time to talk about introducing a sea angling licence.
Having seen little but decline in the UK’s Recreational Sea Fisheries over the preceding decades, and following the Minister’s decision not to proceed with the introduction of a higher minimum landing size for bass (an important recreational species) there was a growing distrust developing amongst the country’s sea anglers towards the Government’s proposals contained within the Recreational Sea Angling (RSA) strategy consultation, which was being increasingly overshadowed by the proposal to introduce a sea angling licence.

SACN is pleased to see that not only has the Minister taken our advice to remove the distraction of a sea angling licence proposal from the wider debate which the RSA Strategy Consultation deserves, but that he has committed to take forward measures to benefit the UK’s Recreational Sea Fisheries.

With over 1 million participants in England and Wales, and a contribution to the economy worth over £1 billion, the Recreational Sea Angling Sector is capable of delivering far greater growth, generating business opportunities and supporting thousands of livelihoods as well as improving the sense of well-being and improving significantly the quality of life of people from all walks of life and in all regions of the UK. But to deliver that, the sector needs a quality product with more and bigger fish available to all anglers, as previously experienced within living
memory.

The Minister is to be congratulated on listening to the concerns that have been put to him, and on acting upon what he has heard, and we look forward to working with him and his officials to deliver UK Recreational Sea Fisheries that can be amongst the finest in the world, and of which he, the Government and all of the people of the UK could be justly proud.

Speaking to Leon Roskilly of SACN, and to Richard Ferre of the National Federation of Sea Anglers, Martin Salter MP, the Government’s spokesman on angling said “I want to personally congratulate you both (and your organisations) on the forceful and professional way in which you have made your case to Ministers on this issue and I really do believe that you have proved the value of regular and honest dialogue with MPs and Government Ministers.”

Leon Roskilly said “It is a relief to get the distraction of a sea angling licence off the agenda so that we can talk positively and with confidence about the delivery of benefits and a better future for Recreational Sea Angling in the UK”.

ISOLATION OF SPRING VIRAEMIA OF CARP VIRUS (SVC)

From Defra Press Office, 12 March 2008.

Recent routine import checks have identified Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC) virus in goldfish imported from a supplier in Hong Kong (Tung Hoi Aquarium Co, Hong Kong)

SVC has no implications for human health. It is nonetheless, a serious viral disease affecting common and ornamental carp, as well as a variety of other species including tench, roach, rudd, goldfish, pike and wels catfish.

The virus was found in a random sample taken directly from imported boxes of fish. The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) at Cefas has placed movement controls on, and taken samples from, all sites receiving fish from the SVC positive consignment. The FHI has also provided advice to other businesses, which may have recently imported fish from the same source, to increase awareness of any potential SVC risk.

The Authorities in the exporting country have been informed of the isolation of SVC and they are conducting investigations to identify the source of the infection. Importation of fish from the affected source will be prohibited pending the conclusion of these investigations.

The clinical signs of SVC can include darkening of the skin, swollen eyes, abdominal swelling, pale gills, trailing faecal casts and protrusion of the anus. Infected fish may be lethargic and show areas of bleeding in the gills and skin.

Anyone noting deaths in carp or any other species susceptible to SVC, with signs of disease similar to those above, should immediately contact the Cefas Fish Health Inspectorate at the Weymouth laboratory on 01305 206673/4

Anyone who imports, keeps or retails carp or other susceptible fish should take strict precautions to prevent the spread of SVC and follow the advice set out in Defra's booklet "Keep Fish Disease Out", available from the Cefas Fish Health Inspectorate or through the following website: www.efishbusiness.com.

SVC is widespread in continental Europe. In 1998, there was a major outbreak in England and Wales with 40 sites affected. Prior to 1998, only 4 cases had been recorded in Great Britain. Previous recent cases include:

2001 - 1 case
2002 - 4 cases
2003 - 2 cases
2004 - 2 cases
2005 - 1 case
2006 - 0 case
2007 - 1 case

As far as imports are concerned, SVC has been detected in legally introduced consignments of fish on 5 separate occasions prior to this incident, since 1998.

Further information is available at www.efishbusiness.co.uk, from fishhealth@defra.gsi.gov.uk or from Cefas, Fish Health Inspectorate, Weymouth Laboratory, The Nothe, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB.
Tel 01305 2006673/74, fax 01305 206602, email fish.health.inspectorate@cefas.co.uk

Angling Unity - New Website for updates

The team putting the unification of angling representation together have opened a new website to inform anglers of progress and the issues. You can find it at www.anglingunity.co.uk

ANGLING UNITY – A MAJOR STEP FORWARD

Chairmen of the major angling bodies in England have taken a major step towards a single unified body to represent all anglers. In a joint statement they said

‘We have agreed that the following bodies intend to wind up their organisations and form a single new organisation to represent all anglers. This will be subject to each organisation passing the necessary legal and financial checks – known as ‘due diligence’.

· Anglers’ Conservation Association
· National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives
· National Federation of Anglers
· National Federation of Sea Anglers
· Salmon and Trout Association
· Specialist Anglers’ Alliance

The transition process is being managed by the Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust, the umbrella body for fisheries and angling organisations. FACT has retained legal, financial and marketing professionals to advise on the formation of the new body.

Each of our organisations has contributed £10,000 to FACT to cover the new body’s start-up costs, a clear indication of our commitment. In addition to funding the essential due diligence much work is needed to improve marketing and our services to members.

The target date for incorporation of the new body, ie legal registration as a company, is early July with full operation by January 2009. Before then each organisation will seek approval to proceed at a general meeting - NAFAC has already done so.

As Chairmen of long-established organisations with loyal members we have not taken this step lightly. However we all believe that a single new organisation is needed to fight for the interests of all anglers and the fisheries they enjoy. We have already received many messages of support for the move and look forward to a bright future.’

Stephen Marsh-Smith, Chairman ACA
Martin Read, Chairman NAFAC
Terry Fell, Chairman NFA
Richard Ferre, Chairman NFSA
James Carr, Chairman STA
Chris Evans, Chairman SAA

No further statements are likely while the detailed due diligence and other preparatory work continues.