Survey 2012

[sam harris]

There is a lot of controversy at the moment about a survey which sea anglers have been asked to complete. Details required are ‘what size fish’, ‘what species’. ‘where were they caught’ etc. The suspicion is that the results of the survey could lead to a Sea Angling Licence being brought in and restriction on species and numbers of fish being taken. I was in Birmingham recently at an Angling Trust Marine Committee Meeting and, while there, I took the opportunity to interview David Mitchell, who is the Marine Campaigns Manager of the Angling Trust and asked him “what is the view of the Angling Trust towards this survey”. There was also an interview with Mike Armstrong of C.E.E.Fas asking for his response to the concerns of anglers. Both of these interviews can be heard on B.B.C. Radio Newcastle’s programme “Howes Fishing” on the internet any time after 6 am this Saturday27th August.

[codseeker]

listen every week and if i forget i go on the site link the recordings are allways there to go back on
BBC - Podcasts - Howes Fishing

[Stores]

There is a lot of controversy at the moment about a survey which sea anglers have been asked to complete. Details required are ‘what size fish’, ‘what species’. ‘where were they caught’ etc. The suspicion is that the results of the survey could lead to a Sea Angling Licence being brought in and restriction on species and numbers of fish being taken. I was in Birmingham recently at an Angling Trust Marine Committee Meeting and, while there, I took the opportunity to interview David Mitchell, who is the Marine Campaigns Manager of the Angling Trust and asked him “what is the view of the Angling Trust towards this survey”. There was also an interview with Mike Armstrong of C.E.E.Fas asking for his response to the concerns of anglers. Both of these interviews can be heard on B.B.C. Radio Newcastle’s programme “Howes Fishing” on the internet any time after 6 am this Saturday27th August.

Off on holiday on Friday Sam, no access to t'internet. Any chance of an inkling to what's said? Seems too important topic to keep it to the listeners.

[sam harris]

Hi David. I'll try and get a copy for you.
Tight Lines.

[Stores]

Hi David. I'll try and get a copy for you.
Tight Lines.

Well back off holiday (yes, it was nice) and I find the Sam Harris thread buried on page 4 having had no additional comments made.

Having listened to it a couple of times here are my thoughts, for what they're worth (Sam obviously couldn't get a copy) The quotes are often shortened but I have not altered their flavour, I just can't write quickly enough.

Firstly Sam introduces the topic with a curious choice of words, as though this has sprung up and bitten him on the a**e:

".....Angling 2012 or something along those lines"

Can't understand this and if you're one of our "representatives" Sam, you need to know your stuff!

Secondly these are the quotes from David Mitchell, representing the AT:

"We recognise anglers concerns"....."We are not actively encouraging anglers to take part"..........."We're also not disuading them" ......."We want to give them all the information.....in order to make informed decisions"

With regard to a fishing license he says "We don't know about them specifically"........"There will be restrictions if RSA are seen to be affecting the fish stocks and therefore the catches of the Commercials" He recognises the absurdity of his statement, thereby supporting the opposition to the license.

So, IMHO, the AT has no preference re the 2012 Survey and it opposes the license.

Thirdly we hear from Mike Armstrong from CEFAS (not CEEFas) - the Centre for Environmental, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. When asked if anglers have anything to worry about he evades the question and states that CEFAS "....needs scientific evidence on accurate data" in order to satisfy the demands of Angling 2012. He then goes on that if they don't get the information from anglers...."...they'll need to estimate the Catch and Return figures".........a wonderful thing Science eh?

On MCZs he tells us "...this is our (the anglers) opportunity to influence how the authorities manage them"

With regard to the license we get "..there is no discussion or intention at present. The Minister says so as well"

So CEFAS tells us to take part in the survey or they'll make the figures up, hoping that the possibility of changing our NIFCA's mind will persuade us, even though the MCZ side of it is almost all tied up. Perhaps the two most important words regarding the License are "at present" Only time will tell.

Interestingly Sam's closing comments talked about there being a "lot of concern (in the NE) from anglers from both shore and boat"......no comments on this web site, no bottom lips going, no throwing out of toys, no turning up at meetings, no support for Les' small gang. Think you've got your work cut out Sam, persuading the powers that be that we give a toss up here.

Finally I took this from the CEFAS website

(Cefas: Recreational sea angling)

The project will also enable the UK to meet the needs of European legislation, which requires EU member states to collect and report data on recreational catches of certain species:
•the EU Control Regulation requires the reporting of recreational catches of stocks subject to recovery plans (charter boats only)
•the EU Data Collection Framework requires the reporting of catches of bass, cod and sharks (covering all forms of recreational fishing from boat and shore).

So as long as all your catches are flatties, wrasse, poodlers or pollack we're alright and the powers can tick meaningless boxes with meaningless ticks, and if in other boxes we state we all stay in the Grand Hotel at weekends and buy top price bait, line etc so providing the local community with millions we might have a chance. Otherwise we may well be doomed, doomed.......

[Stores]

Well back off holiday (yes, it was nice) and I find the Sam Harris thread buried on page 4 having had no additional comments made.

Having listened to it a couple of times here are my thoughts, for what they're worth (Sam obviously couldn't get a copy) The quotes are often shortened but I have not altered their flavour, I just can't write quickly enough.

Firstly Sam introduces the topic with a curious choice of words, as though this has sprung up and bitten him on the a**e:

".....Angling 2012 or something along those lines"

Can't understand this and if you're one of our "representatives" Sam, you need to know your stuff!

Secondly these are the quotes from David Mitchell, representing the AT:

"We recognise anglers concerns"....."We are not actively encouraging anglers to take part"..........."We're also not disuading them" ......."We want to give them all the information.....in order to make informed decisions"

With regard to a fishing license he says "We don't know about them specifically"........"There will be restrictions if RSA are seen to be affecting the fish stocks and therefore the catches of the Commercials" He recognises the absurdity of his statement, thereby supporting the opposition to the license.

So, IMHO, the AT has no preference re the 2012 Survey and it opposes the license.

Thirdly we hear from Mike Armstrong from CEFAS (not CEEFas) - the Centre for Environmental, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. When asked if anglers have anything to worry about he evades the question and states that CEFAS "....needs scientific evidence on accurate data" in order to satisfy the demands of Angling 2012. He then goes on that if they don't get the information from anglers...."...they'll need to estimate the Catch and Return figures".........a wonderful thing Science eh?

On MCZs he tells us "...this is our (the anglers) opportunity to influence how the authorities manage them"

With regard to the license we get "..there is no discussion or intention at present. The Minister says so as well"

So CEFAS tells us to take part in the survey or they'll make the figures up, hoping that the possibility of changing our NIFCA's mind will persuade us, even though the MCZ side of it is almost all tied up. Perhaps the two most important words regarding the License are "at present" Only time will tell.

Interestingly Sam's closing comments talked about there being a "lot of concern (in the NE) from anglers from both shore and boat"......no comments on this web site, no bottom lips going, no throwing out of toys, no turning up at meetings, no support for Les' small gang. Think you've got your work cut out Sam, persuading the powers that be that we give a toss up here.

Finally I took this from the CEFAS website

(Cefas: Recreational sea angling)

The project will also enable the UK to meet the needs of European legislation, which requires EU member states to collect and report data on recreational catches of certain species:
•the EU Control Regulation requires the reporting of recreational catches of stocks subject to recovery plans (charter boats only)
•the EU Data Collection Framework requires the reporting of catches of bass, cod and sharks (covering all forms of recreational fishing from boat and shore).

So as long as all your catches are flatties, wrasse, poodlers or pollack we're alright and the powers can tick meaningless boxes with meaningless ticks, and if in other boxes we state we all stay in the Grand Hotel at weekends and buy top price bait, line etc so providing the local community with millions we might have a chance. Otherwise we may well be doomed, doomed.......

Just bumping this back up as the final recommendations are about to come out.

[TheBigMan]

There's an updated version of the Q&A about Sea Angling 2012 - http://www.planetseafishing.com/down...A02-11Q&A2.pdf

[TheBigMan]

Opps just noticed Elton's post in the other section - Sea Angling 2012: Addressing Angler's Questions - NESA - North East Sea Angling - Sea Fishing UK