News - The Angler Autumn 2013_News page A.qxd 22/11/2013 10:48 Page 19
Bass fears lead to EU action It's a message we've been trying to tell anyone who would listen for many years now; unless something is done to manage bass stocks in a more sustainable way the species will suffer a catastrophic decline as commercial fishing pressure continues to increase while recruitment of year classes simultaneously fails. It may already be too late in the short to medium term but finally, after a frightening prospect for bass was published by the International Centre for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), the international body that gives advice on fish stocks, the EU has woken up and realised that something must be done to avert a potential and devastating stock collapse. Currently two options are on the table: the first is for all nations in Europe to agree on a set of technical measures – such as mesh sizes, minimum landing sizes and closed areas – that would reduce catches in the EU by 20% next year. The second is for a total allowable
catch (TAC), and quota at national level, to be introduced if nations cannot agree on the technical measures. Recent discussions have reached deadlock as France, which catches around 70 per cent of bass in EU waters, favours a TAC while other nations oppose it. In addition, technical measures may take a long time to be agreed by codecision and then implemented – longer than a TAC – so the outcome is far from clear. The Angling Trust has therefore been working closely with colleagues from Sportvisserij Nederland in Holland, the Bass Anglers Sportfishing Society here in the UK, the Angling Council of Ireland and other national angling organisations and independent experts to agree an EU-wide position on how this crucially important recreational angling species should be managed. The result is the EAA bass paper that proposes a two-stage management plan including
(L to R) John Quinlan (Irish Bass), Nigel Horsman and Ian Misselbrook (Bass Anglers Sportfishing Society), Charles walker MP and George Hollingbery MP (chair of the All Party Parliamentary group on angling) presenting the case for the bass MLS increase to the former Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon, in 2012
emergency measures to avert disaster coupled with longterm management measures. Our ultimate goal is for bass in Europe to be a rod-and-linecaught species only. While this may be a long way from becoming a reality in EU
waters, it’s a long term aspiration that sets out our stall for the years ahead. It provides a clear message, a position other organisations will be willing to support and an appeal to the widest possible audience.
2013 – England’s golden year of competitive fishing This year has been one of outstanding success for Angling Trust Team England seeing both teams and individuals triumph with phenomenal results in the World, European and Home international championships. Our congratulations go to all the team members, managers and staff and of course special thanks go to the various team sponsors whose logos you will see listed on the Team England pages. This is the impressive haul of medals the teams have amassed during 2013 in the
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Home, European and World championships. The full stories are on the following pages: • England Sea Fishing and Casting teams finished with; 4 Gold, 5 Silver and 3 Bronze medals • England Coarse Fishing teams finished with; 4 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze medals • England Fly Fishing teams finished with; 2 Gold and 3 Silver medals
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