Calls for the creation of a single body to represent anglers’ interests in Britain have been welcomed by EFTTA, the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association.

The renewed push for just one organisation to be the political force for the UK’s four million anglers, came as sea anglers were reported to be furious at proposals to make fishing from beaches and piers subject to a licence system.

A similar system launched in Portugal last year has been catastrophic for fishing tackle sales.  

Licences are expected to cost £25 a year for adults or £5 for children, for anyone fishing from a beach or a pier. Ministers say cash from the licences will help manage fish stocks and say the fees could be used to improve conditions for the sport.

Richard Ferré, from the National Federation of Sea Anglers, which is leading the opposition to the licences, said: “We’ve had a lot of sympathy for our position from other anglers. This is the sort of issue on which a new group can help. It makes a lot more sense if the argument comes from one large, powerful organisation.”

EFTTA represents the interests of more than 200 members of the fishing tackle trade across Europe and employs a full-time lobbyist in Brussels. It campaigns tirelessly to support the industry, with all profits from its huge EFTTEX trade show directed back into the sport.

An EFTTA spokesman said today: “We support the initiative of creating a single body to represent the interests of UK recreational fishing. This voice would give angling the power it needs to persuade and lobby those in favour of introducing the planned costly licences for children and adults.

“The UK government needs to deliver improved fishing before EFTTA supports the introduction of sea angling licences.”

Anglers maintain that commercial fishing is the biggest threat to marine conservation, and argue that it will be prohibitively expensive to police all 2,500 miles of Britain’s coastline in an effort to catch licence-dodgers.

The UK proposal would require everyone over the age of 12 who fishes in the sea with a rod and line to have a licence. This alone sparked moves to create a single body to speak for recreational fishing, which has traditionally been split into different interests, such as sea and inland angling or game and coarse fishing.
 
 

WHEN YOU CLICK ON LINKS TO VARIOUS MERCHANTS ON THIS SITE AND MAKE A PURCHASE, THIS CAN RESULT IN THIS SITE EARNING A COMMISSION. AFFILIATE PROGRAMS AND AFFILIATIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE EBAY PARTNER NETWORK AND AMAZON
Thinking Anglers Camfleck Molle Pouch - Carp Coarse Fishing Luggage Molle Pouch
eBay
£21.99
Thinking Anglers Camfleck Molle Pouch - Carp Coarse Fishing Luggage Molle Pouch
Thinking Anglers Hand Towel
eBay
£13.99
Thinking Anglers Hand Towel
Thinking Anglers Chunky O Rings (3) Carp Fishing Thinking Anglers
eBay
£3.89
Thinking Anglers Chunky O Rings (3) Carp Fishing Thinking Anglers
Premium FishSimple Sea Fishing feathers Used By Match Anglers Mackerel Bass Cod
eBay
£9.99
Premium FishSimple Sea Fishing feathers Used By Match Anglers Mackerel Bass Cod
Thinking Anglers Camfleck Compact Tackle Pouch Carp Fishing - TACTPC
eBay
£20.99
Thinking Anglers Camfleck Compact Tackle Pouch Carp Fishing - TACTPC
Thinking Anglers Stripper Scissors Tool Fishing Rig Tool TASST
eBay
£8.24
Thinking Anglers Stripper Scissors Tool Fishing Rig Tool TASST
Thinking Anglers Tungskin Hooklink All Sizes NEW Carp Fishing Terminal Tackle
eBay
£14.95
Thinking Anglers Tungskin Hooklink All Sizes NEW Carp Fishing Terminal Tackle
Thinking Anglers Extendable Tip Top Carp Fishing Rod Tip Tops - TAETT 2018
eBay
£12.99
Thinking Anglers Extendable Tip Top Carp Fishing Rod Tip Tops - TAETT 2018
Thinking Anglers Camfleck Oval Walled Unhooking Mat - Carp Fishing Unhooking Mat
eBay
£119.99
Thinking Anglers Camfleck Oval Walled Unhooking Mat - Carp Fishing Unhooking Mat
Thinking Anglers Carp Fishing Tackle Luggage Olive Camfleck SELECT ITEM! REDUCED
eBay
£16.00
Thinking Anglers Carp Fishing Tackle Luggage Olive Camfleck SELECT ITEM! REDUCED
Thinking Anglers PTFE Swivels Size 20 Carp Fishing Thinking Anglers
eBay
£5.65
Thinking Anglers PTFE Swivels Size 20 Carp Fishing Thinking Anglers
Thinking Anglers Compact Tackle Pouch Camfleck
eBay
£26.99
Thinking Anglers Compact Tackle Pouch Camfleck

About the author

Anglers' Net

Pin It on Pinterest

Anglers' Net
EFTTA WELCOMES CALL FOR ‘SINGLE VOICE’ FOR UK SEA, COARSE AND GAME ANGLERS
Thinking Anglers Camfleck Molle Pouch - Carp Coarse Fishing Luggage Molle Pouch
Thinking Anglers Hand Towel
Thinking Anglers Chunky O Rings (3) Carp Fishing Thinking Anglers
Premium FishSimple Sea Fishing feathers Used By Match Anglers Mackerel Bass Cod
Thinking Anglers Camfleck Compact Tackle Pouch Carp Fishing - TACTPC
Thinking Anglers Stripper Scissors Tool Fishing Rig Tool TASST
Thinking Anglers Tungskin Hooklink All Sizes NEW Carp Fishing Terminal Tackle
Thinking Anglers Extendable Tip Top Carp Fishing Rod Tip Tops - TAETT 2018
Thinking Anglers Camfleck Oval Walled Unhooking Mat - Carp Fishing Unhooking Mat
Thinking Anglers Carp Fishing Tackle Luggage Olive Camfleck SELECT ITEM! REDUCED
Thinking Anglers PTFE Swivels Size 20 Carp Fishing Thinking Anglers
Thinking Anglers Compact Tackle Pouch Camfleck
CookieYes Logo