Some of the ways in which fishing can reduce crime and anti-social behaviour will be explored at a Conference to be held at the Royal Armouries, Leeds between 14th and 16th October, 2008.
The 2008 Conference of the Institute of Fisheries Management is sponsored by Yorkshire Water, Environment Agency, APEM and ARUPS.
The theme for the conference is Breaking Down Barriers – these can be physical, chemical or biological barriers to successful fisheries, together with barriers to communication, understanding, co-operation or participation. The aim is to promote a greater understanding of our valuable aquatic environments and to encourage sustainable improvements to these vulnerable communities.
One of the Conference sessions will explore barriers to participation.
Schemes such as ‘Get hooked on Fishing’ have shown how introducing young people to fishing can reduce truancy, improve skills, reduce anti-social behaviour but more importantly show them how to have fun. Presentations at the conference will explore how to increase participation by removing any barriers.
Anne Moyle, Chief executive of ‘Get Hooked on Fishing’ said:
“We can show that fishing has many benefits for people of all ages whether it is a mental or physical sense of well being. Our results with young people are at their best when we engage with local communities to break down some of the barriers and make fishing accessible to all”.
