The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) today (18th January, 2008) backed a motion lodged in the Scottish Parliament by Ayr MSP and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, John Scott, which calls for continued work to safeguard and grow recreational sea angling in Scotland.

EFTTA is Europe’s largest trade association in the fishing tackle industry, representing more than 200 members, largely made up of manufacturers and wholesalers. The body also stages the annual EFTTEX exhibition – the most successful fishing tackle trade show this side of the Atlantic.

President Gregg Holloway said today: “EFTTA agrees wholeheartedly with the Scottish Conservatives that the recreational sea angling sector, its huge socio-economic value and jobs and all the other good things angling has to offer people and society is grossly undervalued and overlooked.

Angling is a sustainable fishing method which doesn’t harm the environment. It is crucial that politicians and related organisations work together to conserve and restore depleted fish stocks.

This can and should be done in a way where recreational angling prospers and remains one of Scotland’s biggest pastimes – now and for future generations to come.”
 
Conservative MSP Mr Scott’s motion calls for the Scottish government, sea angling bodies and other relevant agencies to work to conserve key species such as common skate, porbeagle and spurdog and encourage the continued growth of recreational sea angling in Scotland – which has around 225,000 regular sea anglers.

It has attracted significant cross party support and hopes to secure parliamentary debating time in the coming weeks.

Mr Scott believes recreational sea angling is a significantly overlooked sector of the Scottish economy, generating investment in local communities like the Firth of Clyde and playing a key role in tourism activity.
 

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