No Sea Angling Licence

[Gremlin]

Jonathan Shaw MP, the Fisheries Minister, yesterday stated that he will not be introducing a sea angling licence.

The biggest worry now is that Defra and the Government will fail to give recreational angling the recognition they deserve.

Could anyone blame them?

[fishypaul]

well done mr shaw,he aint all bad after all

[nimue]

Gremlin,
Mixed up views on this one.....are you suggesting there should be a license so we get recognised?

Jules

[Gremlin]

I like the added comments below, even though he said his licence decision will be reviewed in the future. I understand that the preparations to introduce a licence (a legal route towards licensing) in the upcoming Marine Bill has been dropped.

Statement ...

Jonathan Shaw:

I met sea angling representatives at the Angling summit on 18 February where a number of concerns were raised with me regarding the introduction of a chargeable licence for sea angling. I have also discussed the issue direct with anglers around the coast, as have my officials. In view of the concerns expressed, including the extent to which sea anglers expected to see benefits from the charge, I have decided not to proceed with enabling powers in the Marine Bill to introduce a sea angling licence.

I will, none the less, continue with a package of other measures that aim to provide benefits for anglers, including a review of nursery areas for the protection of bass stocks and of inshore netting, and a pilot study on area-based restrictions to support sea angling. I have also recently announced measures to increase protection of tope, a key species for anglers.

[Portland Pirate]

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Jonathan Shaw MP, the Fisheries Minister, yesterday stated that he will not be introducing a sea angling licence.

The biggest worry now is that Defra and the Government will fail to give recreational angling the recognition they deserve.

Could anyone blame them?

To me, this decision by Jonathan Shaw shows the opposite. He has clearly seen that recreational angling is a major contributor both to the economy and the protection of fish stocks.

[Gremlin]

He has clearly seen that recreational angling is a major contributor both to the economy and the protection of fish stocks.

Dream on ....