As the election looms, the angling bodies have listed their demands of newly elected MPs
The Angling Trust’s ‘Vote for a Fishing Future’ Manifesto.
As the election draws closer and voting begins on July 4, both the Angling Trust and WildFish have set out their wish-lists for newly elected MPs.
The Angling Trust’s Manifesto, which has been sent out to all the main parties in England, is aimed at protecting, promoting and developing angling for all.
Its top 10 policy demands are:
1. Reform the water industry to stop pollution of our rivers and seas.
2. Abolish OFWAT (the water services regulation authority) and replace it with a single water regulator, accountable to the public, which puts the protection of the environment as its first priority.
3. Beef up the Environment Agency, the Marine Management Organisation and local Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities to ensure they have the resources, expertise and power to properly enforce the law and protect angling.
4. Ensure taxpayers’ money given to famers is used to improve the water environment and does not support actions that damage it.
5. Ensure government, include devolved and local government, support policies that protect and promote angling and maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits it delivers.
6. Support actions aimed at supporting broad and diverse participation in angling through schools, community centres, youth clubs, and social prescribing.
7. Support the rights of all anglers to fish without fear of harassment and disruption.
8. Recognise recreationally important species in sea fisheries management and the socio-economic benefits sea angling brings to coastal communities.
9. Take concerted action to reverse the decline in salmon stocks throughout the UK.
10. Address the damage caused to inland fisheries by invasive species and support fishery managers’ efforts to protect their waters and businesses from unsustainable predation.
Angling Trusts says that its Manifesto ‘ Vote for a Fishing Future’ has received a positive response from Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, and Green representatives.
The person the polls predict is most likely to be in the hot seat come July 5 is Steve Reed, Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary. He said: “We need to stop the desecration of our rivers and indeed the rest of our countryside. Labour’s got plans to clean up our water. But you know, we really need to turn the page, we need change. We can’t let this pollution keep going on.. And in government, we are looking forward to working with the angling community.”
James Sunderland, Conservative candidate for Bracknell and member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Angling added: “I welcome the new manifesto from the Angling Trust. As a keen environmentalist and angler, I look forward to working further with the All Party Parliamentary Group to secure a healthier future for our sport and to see its benefits promoted at all levels.”
Tim Farron, Lib Dem Environment spokesman said: “Cleaning up our waterways is absolutely essential so that our beautiful lakes and rivers can be enjoyed by anglers, swimmers and everyone else. Liberal Democrats are calling for a tax on the unearned profits of the water companies so that, rather than lining the pockets of rich shareholders, that money can be used to fix Britain’s broken sewage system.”
The Greens, who have in the past been hostile to angling, calling for it to be banned, appear to have softened their stance. In response to enquiries from the Angling Trust the party stated that “we don’t include angling within our definition of blood sports.”
It went on to say: “We also share many of the concerns raised in your Manifesto, especially on the water companies and water quality.”
The Trust says Reform were sent a copy, but have not replied.
WildFish set out three key asks from the next government in order to keep wild fish high up the political agenda:
• We must reduce our environmental impact – this is most urgent for our rivers.
• Enforce existing legislation to protect our rivers. We don’t need new laws, we need enforcement.
• Provide regulators with the money, mandate and leadership to do their job.
It highlights the facts that freshwater species are becoming extinct at five times the rate of those on land, and the remarkable Atlantic salmon is now endangered in UK waters.
It provides a link to contact your MP asking them to ensure protection for wild fish.
