Tom Pinborough

Hi ya Don't forget that the commercial figure includes shellfish, crab, lobster, nerphrops (prawns etc) and when you make the comparison on species that the sea anglers and commercials directly compete for, sea angling is worth significantly more cheers Tom Tom Pinborough NFSA conservation group BASS restoration team SACN

Hi all who's going then ? cheers Tom NFSA, BASS, SACN

Hi Davey We have had this discussion on other boards, so I can understand some of your concerns,but as a member of the nfsa conservation group , I , along with my colleages , make representations for sea anglers for the whole of the uk, not just England. cheers Tom Conservation Group NFSA

Hi ya read this one last year, its a good read, tracing the history of cod fishing from its very early days. I found it staggering how far they would sail across the alantic in very different types of sail ships, to catch cod for salting. If I remmeber correctly there is a very sobering section about the decline of the grand banks fishery and basicaly how its never recovered cheers Tom

hi ya try the coastal reports section on leader-lines.com cheers Tom

I would like your thoughts and polite comments on this subject, would you support RSA areas? Are there any in your area , do you have experiences of them in the uk or abroad. If RSA fisheries where to be established , they would be for the development and enhancement of angling These RSA fisheries would not be a replacement to your normal rights of access to sea angling. ie if area A was a RSA fishery, this would not close off area B. Find below a few preliminary thoughts to get the discussion going. These RSA fisheries could be beachs , inshore areas , estuaries , wrecks, reefs , headlands, deep water areas etc 1 No commercial fishing in RSA fishery ? 2 No gill nets or destructive forms of trawling Should there be allowances for marine stewardship fisheries eg herring fishery blackwater estuary, potting etc 3 Closed season for spawning ? 4 Catch and release on certain species ( mullet, stingray) this can be difficult on deep water fish 5 Bag limits ( say xxxx fish per species or an overall number per fishing session) mackeral fishing ? (30 fish bag) 6 Raise mls of all species (to allow species to reach at least 50% sexual maturity size) eg bass 36cm to 55cm this allows bass to spawn more often and grow to improve quality of fish, apply this concept to other species. 7 code of conduct for anglers ( I know some have been already written) are they good or bad To be responsible for own litter. To be aware of other conservation sensitive areas ie RSPB breeding times or overwintering grounds 8 Hooks ? barbless, circle no stainless steel hooks. 9 No gaffs , landing nets only 10 competitions and matches , measure and release only in these RSA areas cheers Tom Tom Pinborough NFSA Conservation Group http://www.Nfsa.org.uk BASS Restoration Project Team http://www.Ukbass.com Sea Anglers Conservation Network (SACN) http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/sacn

Hi Alan I subscribe to the SAN and I have spoken to Norman many times re conservation/lobby issues and it is so refreshing to have an editor who is prepared to speak his mind and print such articles . Also Mike Concannon who writes the Dartmouth report in the paper is also like minded. cheers Tom Tom Pinborough NFSA Conservation Lobby Group BASS Restoration Project Team SACN Cod Recovery

I hope that sea anglers will give this well thought out and written article thorough consideration . Then join the federation and get involved. cheers Tom Pinborough NFSA Conservation Group http://www.Nfsa.org.uk BASS Restoration Project Team http://www.Ukbass.com Sea Anglers Conservation Network (SACN) http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/sacn

This has been pulled up again to make it easier for the defra info desk to find Tom Pinborough NFSA conservation group BASS restoration project SACN

Hi ya Today Myself, Bob Cox ,Leon Roskilly met with Robert Key mp in his Westminster offices. Robert Key is a life long sea angler and has shown a keen interest in RSA issues. Robert Key is the Conservative member for Salisbury, and is currently the Shadow Minister for Overseas Development and sits on the Science and Technology select committee. The meeting went well, we had a good general discussion for about an hour, we gave him various documents highlighting the economic value of RSA, the NFSA conservation plan, and examples of other fisheries from around the world, ie America and Ireland. We also covered points relating to, the value of a rod caught fish, lack of fish stocks, tourism, the difficulty of uk rsa representation in current cfp meetings , the imbalance of representation of the commercial sector and a brief history of RSA campaigning in the uk. He was keen to listen and as we overwhelmed Robert with new facts, he was taking notes and formulating action plans on the hoof. He certainly gave the impression that he was interested in taking this forward. We left him with a stack of paperwork, and time to mull over everything so that he can find the best way of taking this forward. Web will keep you informed Cheers Tom

Hi ya Sandtiger , I agree with spasor, S A N tells it as it is, if you have an article send it to the san. cheers Tom (sacn)

Hi ya Has anyone had any experience with the returning of fish caught from deep water, I recently received a link to an American site called “ a guide to release reef fish with ruptured swimbladders” www.flseagrant.org/science/venting/ cheers Tom (sacn)

I like the SAN and I do subscribe, and they are not frightened to tackle the issues of conservation and restoration of fish stocks, just read normans editorial , and mike concannons (dartmouth) cheers Tom SACN

Hi ya I met with my mp , John Whittingdale obe shadow sec dmcs , had a good discussion for 45 mins, also gave him a copy of the NFSA conservation/restoration document for the future of RSA and the NFSA website address . He raised a series of questions with the DCMS (Richard Cabourne) interestingly he said that the mp for angling Martin Salter is only a back bencher acting in an advisory capacity to the DCMS. He gave me information regarding which local meps to contact to help raise the profile of RSA in europe, as the current Fisheries Meps are not that helpful. Perhaps its my optomistic naivety but the meeting did appear to be a education and an eye opener to him, ie economic value of uk rsa, econonomic value of RSA in my local area is approx £1.25 million, value of a rod caught fish , lack of fish stocks, tourism , lack of uk rsa representation in current cfp meetings , inbalance of representation of the commercial sector etc. I have receieved a letter from John Whittingdale "Thank you for coming to see me in Burnham on crouch on saturday, I grateful to you for going to such trouble to set out the concerns of recreational sea anglers and fully understand your view that these are often overlooked in discussions about fisheries policies. As we have discussed, I have tabled questions to ministers on this topic and enclose copies of the replies that I have received from the dept for Culture, Media and Sport. I am awaiting responses from the dept of Envi, Food and Rural Affairs, which particularly concern the CFP negotiations and will , of course, let you know as soon as I have any news" Mr. John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the promotion of recreational sea angling. [104015] Mr. Caborn: The Government does not have responsibility for the promotion of particular sports. The National Federation of Sea Anglers, the sport's governing body, is funded through Sport England for the promotion and development of recreational sea angling. The Joint Angling Governing Bodies (which includes the National Federation of Anglers), with support from Sport England, have launched their plan for the future of the angling, which includes; expanding participation; leading the angling community; improving performance and raising the profile of the sport. ------------------- Mr. Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with the National Federation of Sea Angling. [104016] Mr. Caborn: I have had no such discussions. However, officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport recently met representatives from a wide range of sea angling interests, including the National Federation of Sea Anglers, along with representatives from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. My officials also meet representatives from all the angling disciplines, including those from the National Federation of Sea Anglers each year at the Angling Summit. John Whittingdale to ask the secretary of state for En, food and Ru Affairs, if she will make a statement on the implications of reform of the CFP for recreational sea angling Mr Morley The uk pressed strongly throughout the reform negotiations for increased emphasis on stake holder involvement in decisions on fisheries management . This was reflected in the agreement at the council to set up regional advisory councils to provide a voice for the fishing industry and other stakeholders-such as recreational sea anglers – in decisions on fisheries management. ----------------------------------- John Whittingdale to ask the secretary of state for En, food and Ru Affairs, what estimates she has made of the contribution of recreational sea angling to the uk economy Mr Morley We do not currently have estimates of the contribution of the uk sea angling to the uk econmy . For this reason we are in the process of commissioning a study entitled “research into the economic contribution of sea angling”. This project is at the tewnder stage at present and is expected to report early in 20004 John Whittingdale to ask the secretary of state for En, food and Ru Affairs, what account she has taken of the interests of sea anglers in discussions of the reform of the CFP Mr Morley The government recognises sea anglers as stakeholders in the management of fish stocks and as such they where consulted fully on the commission’s proposals for the reform of the common fisheries policy I have now made contact with my mep and received this reply Thank you very much for your email of 25 March. I certainly understand and share your concerns about the environmental damage caused by unsustainable fishing practices. I am also aware that the economic return of recreational sea angling now exceeds that of the commercial fishing industry. I support your view that this sustainable sport be a component of the new CFP. As you are aware, the Green Paper on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy was published in 2001, but failed to mention the role of Sport Sea Angling. At Hearings held by the Commission in early June, my Conservative colleague, Struan Stevenson MEP, Chairman of the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee, encouraged representatives of sport sea angling groups to present their case. After that meeting, he wrote to Franz Fischler, Commissioner for Fisheries, in order to "insist on fairer treatment and greater recognition for Sea Anglers during the forthcoming CFP negotiations." Although the Conservative Delegation submitted Amendments to the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in support of by the Angling industry at both the Committee and Plenary stages, they failed to be adopted. Now that we have received the actual Commission proposals, I was extremely disappointed to see no reference to Sport Sea Angling. We are now working extremely hard through the Fisheries Committee and directly with the Commission in order to ensure that Sport Sea Angling receives recognition which reflects the high participation levels in many European countries. Conservatives in the European Parliament believe that the preferred method of promoting sustainable fisheries is by devolving fisheries responsibility to a system of zonal or coastal management, thereby allowing those directly involved locally a greater say in policy. Indeed, obtaining control of fishing capacity within our national limits would ensure that future generations would be able to enjoy the sport. Unfortunately, southern Member States such as Spain are calling for equal and open access to British waters, right up to national coastlines. The fight at this stage is to retain existing limits in order to promote healthy fish stocks. May I assure you that Conservative MEP's are fighting to secure the best possible conservation measures necessary to yield sustainable resources and instigate an ecologically sound stock management system for our waters If I can be of any more assistance on this topic, please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely, Geoffrey Van Orden MEP The above meeting with my mp was quite simple to arrange, most mps have a mp surgery every few weeks , I simply phoned , booked an appointment, listed down a few facts and figures , viewpoints that anglers had sent me, plus a few local issues. Does anyone else want to try this with their own mp or mep ? Shortly the latest common fisheries proposals will be discussed, including the cod recovery programme. Thank you to everyone who sent in their initial comments as I get any more replies , I will keep you posted Cheers Tom Pinborough Sea Anglers Conservation network www.sacn.org.uk

oops sorry about spelling your name wrong

Keep it up allen , I stopped smoking 20 a day, 12 years ago, it was hard , but everyday i put the money to one side and bought myself a 12lb class team diawa for red-gilling, You also managed to do with out fags up to the age of 16. good luck cheers Tom

An excellent paper, I hope now anglers will get other anglers to join Cheers Tom Pinborough Sea Anglers Conservation Network www.anglersnet.co.uk/sacn I fish, I vote

The "boot rod" is a full beachcaster, have a chat with Aiden at conoflex , crowborough, surrey, he will give good advice cheers Tom

Hi ya I brought a "boot rod " from conoflex, which is a 3 piece 12' rod, which does as it says on the label, fits in the boot of my car, it has a glass tip, and is not to heavy, it casts fine and does the job. They also do a 3 piece 4-5 mirrage which is the same lenght but stiffer or perhaps try julian shambrook in torquay Shimano now do a travelling light beachcaster,with its own proper travel case, I own one of their travel spinning rods and the rod and case has survived spanish and british bagage handlers. cheers Tom

Last year during the letter campaign, I did e-mail a load of stuff to the 5 -live news room putting the case for RSA, so they have been made aware, but i will send it again cheers Tom Pinb SACN

I am a personnel member of the NFSA to encourage other anglers to join . I asked the head office for membership forms , I then photocopied a load and I then left them at tackle shops in my area. Tackle shops have put up posters I have supplied to highlight the current fish stock crises. cheers Tom Pinborough (SACN)