Following the launch of the European
Fishing Tackle Trade Association’s (EFTTA) campaign to make Governments
across Europe aware of the issues surrounding the introduction of sea
licences, the NFA would like to pledge its support and would urge all
anglers to follow suit by joining the online petition created by
EFTTA.
EFTTA launched
its campaign following the introduction of recreational sea licences in
Portugal in January. Since the licences were introduced, the Portuguese
tackle trade has seen a 60% reduction in sales, indicating massive
falls in participation.
Neither the NFA nor
EFTTA argues against any well thought out licensing scheme for
recreational sea anglers, as long as the monies received can be
accounted for and go back into developing the sport.
Any income from licences should go toward providing the necessary
and much-needed funds to develop the resource of the sport and also
create greater and improved access in order to increase participation.
There is a growing need to protect the marine environment if we are to
improve and preserve fish stocks.
The NFA is
aware that good numbers of coarse anglers also go sea fishing and
therefore any decision from Government regarding the introduction of
recreational sea fishing licences will have implications for the whole
of angling. We would urge all anglers to support EFTTA and join its
online petition which can be found at:
www.ipetitions.com/petition/eftta-licences/
Paul Baggaley, Chief Executive of the National
Federation of Anglers commented, “Income from licence sales should go
back into the sport. Any proposal to introduce sea licences
must take into consideration the preservation and development of the
marine environment and the necessity to increase participation in the
sportâ€.
