JOINING PROFESSIONAL BODIES THAT CAN HELP MANAGE YOUR ASSOCIATION/CLUB
ANGLING TRUST
The Angling Trust is a not for profit organisation, representing anglers, fighting for fish, fishing and the environment.
Registered Offices
Membership & Fish Legal – Angling Trust, Eastwood House, 6 Rainbow Street, Leominster, HR6 8DQ
Competitions, Coaching and Finance Teams– Angling Trust, The Old Police Station , Wharncliffe Road, Ilkeston DE7 5GF
Telephone number 0343 5077006
They are recognised by the Government as the National Governing Body for angling in England and partner with Visit Wales and the NRW to promote fishing in Wales. It is united with Fish Legal, a separate membership association that uses the law to protect fish stocks and the rights of its members throughout the UK. Joint membership packages with Fish Legal are available for individuals, clubs, fisheries and other categories
They are a member based organisation made up of anglers of all disciplines providing a united front to represent , grow and protect the sport.
The Trust offers membership packages to individual anglers, to clubs and syndicates, commercial fisheries and riparian owners and various other groups.
The Angling Trust also has two full-time Fishery Management Advisors, whose role is to advise on predation issues- mainly avian predation, but some otter-fencing advice too. See below page on Predation.
The Trust also runs the Voluntary Bailiff service in conjunction with the Environment Agency and works collaboratively with the police to address and prevent crime affecting angling.
The Trust, via Fish Legal also uses its legal specialists to enforce the law and to protect fish stocks and the rights of its members throughout the UK
Some useful web site addresses comprise:-
https://www.fishlegal.net Fish Legal Protection Services
https://www.anglingtrust.net/enforcement/ Voluntary Bailiff Service and
For membership types where insurance is an automatic feature of the membership then insurance is an integral feature of the membership. However, not all member types include insurance.
Membership can be on an individual or Association basis, including insurance cover, if you wish to purchase the insurance cover. One of the primary aims of the Trust is to increase participation for all ages in angling, particularly in angling for juniors. The Trust organizes and supports competitive angling for all ages, particularly junior angling which is very important to many modern day anglers.
The Trust also provides some excellent guidance and support on the problems of poaching, particularly the training of bailiffs, COVID issues and the coaching of both coaches and junior anglers. A number of documents can be downloaded from the website on bailiffing and fishery management, and on Risk Assessment . A range of formal coaching courses available.
A very much operational support body.
INSTITUTE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
An international organisation, created in 1969, dedicated to the advancement of sustainable fisheries and their management. A non profit making organisation controlled by members and managed by an elected body. Members comprise fisheries managers from a range of managers from regulatory and research bodies in addition to fish farms and fisheries. There is a range of membership categories to meet the level of expertise and qualification for each member. Provides a number of excellent courses and documentation on fishery management of all types. The courses include a Certificate course and a more advanced Diploma course for those wishing to follow some type of career in fisheries management. The courses include topics on – Water quality, Freshwater Biology, Angling and Recreation, Fishery Law, Fish Culture and Husbandry, Fisheries Management and Improvement, and Fisheries Enforcement. There are also a number of short courses on specific topics (e.g. electro-fishing. There are branches throughout the country.
A very much personal development and personal improvement body to assist in the management of your Association
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
The Environment Agency is a non departmental public body whose primary purpose is to protect or enhance the environment taken as a whole, so as to protect “the objectives of achieving sustainable development” 1995 Environment Act 1995 Section 4. Protection of the environment relates to threats such as floods or pollution.
The Environment Agency was established in 1996. whose priorities are to work with business and other organisations to manage the use of resources. (flooding, pollution, coastal erosion,etc.). A central office to assist on issues
0800 807060.
The staff from the Environment Agency work alongside the Met Office on Flood issues
Has responsibilities for fisheries; incident management, fish passage upstream and downstream, fish habitat improvement, eel management regulation, fish movement permitting, flood management, risk management and permits for angling/fishing.
The stated purpose of the Environment Agency is to protect or enhance the environment taken as a whole and assists along with the riparian owner watercourses and streams and the wildlife management within those stream. Obviously this will include some responsibilities for wildlife, including fish in the respective localities.
Local Environment Agency Staff will advise on the management of the angling licences, transfer of fish between watesr, fish health issues, fish predation and provide operational support to angling organisations within the constraints of their local resources.
A very much administrative support agency although local staff will provide support within the constraints of their resources. Professionals in netting of waters for fish stock assessment
FISHERY CONSULTANTS Can be used for ad hoc projects but can be expensive.