The EU and our government need to take sea angling seriously

[JohnQ]

The following is a press release from the European Anglers Alliance.
Recreational Fishing Included For The First Time As MEPs Vote For Radical CFP Reform
Angling Organisations across Europe survived a tense vote by MEPs on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) yesterday after it became apparent that Europe’s Greens were attempting to block the inclusion of “recreational fishing opportunities” from the final resolution.
In the end the reference was included when the Parliament voted by 502 to 137 in favour of sweeping reforms of the Common Fisheries Policy which will see, amongst other measures; an end to discarding of fish; a move to restoring depleted stocks and harvesting fish at maximum sustainable yield (the maximum amount of fish that can be harvested without depleting the stock) by 2015; more long term management plans which will hopefully end the political horse trading that takes place in Brussels every December as Ministers ignore the scientific advice on how much can be harvested sustainably.
European anglers have been lobbying hard over recent years for recreational fishing to be recognised with specific reference in the reformed CFP after being invisible stakeholders in Europe’s fisheries policy ever since its introduction in 1983.
More recently recreational fishing has come under the spotlight for the perceived impact it has on commercial fishing opportunities without considering the huge socio-economic contribution recreational fishing (angling) makes to Europe and its extremely low environmental impact.
Late last year anglers’ efforts were rewarded when the European Parliament´s Fisheries Committee included an amendment to the basic regulation text which would mean that the reformed CFP ensures that fishing activities are managed in a way that contributes to recreational fishing opportunities.
Jan Kappel, Secretary General of the European Anglers Alliance (EAA), representing approximately three million affiliated members across Europe, said, “I would like to congratulate all 502 MEPs who voted in favour of the final text. There will now be tough negotiations with the Council (the Member States) who will try and water down the reform measures voted through by the parliament. The explicit mention of recreational fishing in the CFP is great news. We expect the Council and Commission to accept the parliament´s opinion on this issue. Recreational fishers, like commercial fishers, are stakeholders in European fish stocks generating jobs and money. In many coastal areas recreational sea angling is by far the most important segment of the fisheries sector.”
Mike Heylin, Chairman of EAA’s Sea Sub-Group said, “Finally we have recognition of the needs of recreational anglers within the Common Fisheries Policy; that will mean that stocks have to be managed to suit anglers as well as commercial fishing. This is very welcome. New threats to recreational sea anglers´ access and their right to fishing are just around the corner. Recreational sea angling probably won’t be treated fairly without this clear mention in the CFP as suggested by the parliament. I’ll urge the Council to do as the parliament did, give recreational fishing an explicit mention in the CFP's Article 2.”

[Tanglerat]

Why did the Greens try to block the inclusion? What's their agenda here?

[ronnie]

The greens don't like us sticking hooks in fish.

[JohnQ]

The greens don't like us sticking hooks in fish.

Yes, thats true. In most european countries the greens are fervently anti angling. In my opinion their position comes from an inability to open their eyes and see the huge benefits that we anglers give, not only to the economy but also to the species we fish for. Very many species of marine fish around the world have been saved by direct involvement of anglers in their management. Just look at species like redfish and striped bass in the US. Without angler involvement with these species they might not even be on this planet now.
The sad irony is that many anglers feel that they have much in common with the green agenda and yet those directly involved in green politics see us as the enemy.
Lets hope that the decision to recognise anglers in the CFP will give us some part in decision making and a recognition for the vast sums we contribute to the economy.
As for the greens, I don't see them changing their position any time soon. The old line "I've made up my mind, don't bother me with the truth" seems quite appropriate for them.

[John D]

This is a good article. I know there's a lot of work to be done but it does at least give us some hope. Now let's start making the greens aware of how us anglers have actually helped save fish species!

[doggy]

prob has sumtin to do with the cod this year, there was a fishing bann on the european cod grounds till july i think it is,
typical they only start to give a s h i t e wen the depleted fish stock is nearly gone and 450.000 thousand jobs that depend on fishing industury in europe are under threat, greedy greedy animals dont no wen enough is enough,
i really hope they come in with a good sustainable fishing method and we should see fishing boom again for anglers, fingers crossed cant see greedy europe changing to much but its a start