Recreational sea anglers have received a cast iron assurance from Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MP that they will be able to fish and enjoy the benefits of the new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) which are to be established as a result of the Marine Bill which is currently undergoing its committee stage in the House of Commons. Parliamentary spokesman for angling Martin Salter has been pressing the Minister to put on the record his support for sea angling within the MCZs in order allay any fears or misapprehensions.
Martin Salter said:-
“The Marine Bill is of huge significance for all aspects of angling. Fresh water anglers will benefit from the overhaul of our outdated fishery by-laws and sea anglers will see strict limits placed on the commercial exploitation of our in-shore waters. This should see sea fish stocks refreshed and regenerated and, in the longer term, much improved sport for salt water fishermen. However, it was important to secure an assurance that sea anglers would not be excluded along with commercial fishermen from the new Marine Conservation Zones. In fact, the Minister went further and agreed with me that sea anglers have an important role to play in helping to enforce the MCZs and to protect their integrity.”
