Response from DEFRA..

Quite a while ago I emailed Ben Bradshaw to ask his position on the proposal to licence recreational sea anglers. Below is copied the response I finally got from DEFRA. In essence I'm not opposed to licencing angling, I already pay for a coarse licence, the difference being I can easily see where my coarse fees are being spent, what are they going to give us sea anglers for our licence fee? I'd hate to think my sea licence funds were propping up a dying commercial fishing industry...

Dear Mr Holmes,

RECREATIONAL SEA ANGLERS

Thank you for your email of 29 March to Ben Bradshaw about sea anglers licenses. I have been asked to reply and I am sorry for the delay in doing so.

Defra recognises the importance of Recreational Sea Angling (RSA) and the substantial contribution it makes to the UK economy and we are ensuring that sea anglers' needs are increasingly considered as we manage and develop fisheries policy. We have recently published a Marine Bill White Paper, in which we set out the Government's intentions to equip fisheries managers with powers that may be necessary for a more active approach to managing recreational fisheries in the future. This includes proposals to introduce a recreational sea angling licence, which would be similar to that operated by the Environment Agency for freshwater angling. Work on these proposals is in early development, so at this stage it is not possible to set out particular details, the cost or when it could be introduced. However, we would expect that any proposed licensing scheme would need to clearly demonstrate the benefits for sea anglers, with revenue being used to improve the recreational sea angling experience. At the moment we are consulting widely on these proposals, and would welcome your views. You should be aware that the powers we are seeking in the Marine Bill are enabling provisions to introduce a licence at a later date. If we proceed with the measure in the light of responses to the White Paper, there would therefore be a further full consultation as we develop a scheme, to ensure we gather a full range of views. More detailed information on plans for a rod licensing scheme are set out in the Marine Bill White Paper, which can be found at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marinebill/index.htm.

A rod licence is also being considered within the context of the RSA Strategy, where it forms part of an overall package of measures for sea anglers. To ensure that this work is taken forward in partnership with all those who have a stake in fish stocks, the strategy is being developed by representatives across a range of sectors. A strategy may also include elements such as links with inshore fisheries management, management of key stocks of interest to anglers, improving access as well as other RSA development opportunities. The Strategy has recently been endorsed by Defra's Inshore Fisheries Working Group who have recommended a full consultation later this year to capture a wide range of views.

I hope this letter addresses your concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Christopher Stewart
Customer Contact Unit

A chance to be an anglers saviour, don't hold your breath though..

On the fishing front it's been quiet since I went with Smudge, I have a trip planned somewhere tomorrow but may get postponed depending on the sea etc. Either way I'll write up a report.