News of the Bass Management Plan in Labour's new Anglers' Charter

[Simon Everett]

Hopefully whether BB gets back his job or not - and don't forget, getting his seat back and even Labour in Gov't does not mean he will retain his position in the cabinet - he could be Min for Trade and Industry next time. What is really hopeful is that he has already put the wheels in motion for DEFRA to draw up the necessary arrangements - this is where we have to keep the pressure on. Every ounce of effort should be put into drawing the prominence of RSA to the fore. The BMP is only PART of the answer. We need DEFRA and every political party to understand the requirements of the fisheries management - AND TO IMPLEMENT IT. Then we will see a change in our fish stocks and the results of our fishing translated into better success. Once DEFRA is "ON SIDE" and starts to implement management policies that impact on the protection of the sporting fish stocks from exploitation (anglers filling their boats and selling them included - you are either a recreational angler who only needs a brace of fish for the freezer - or you are a commercial who sells fish for money)then we can say we have won. Until then chaps keep your shoulders to the door - it is just begining to open.

Thanks to everyone who has backed the BMP and RSA up until now - a small team have put it together, but the weight of support behind it has helped to bring it to the level of importance it is now held in. The fact that it is Bass is coincidence - striped bass in the USA also has something to do with it, but it could have been the Mullet Club, or the Conger Club or any other club that put in the work. It just so happened that enough, far sighted fellows at Bass decided to pull together and DO something about the current situation that has resulted in some kind of reward.

Probably long enough - I now I am starting to yawn now