Sea Angling News from Angling Trust

The Angling Trust's Just Take 5 litter campaign has been presented in Brussels at a meeting of a new European-funded project aiming to tackle attitudes and behaviour towards marine litter. The MARLISCO project (MARine Litter in Europe Seas: Social AwarenesS and CO-Responsibility) will run for three years and involve activities across 15 European countries, including national debates; involving industry sectors, scientists and the public; a European video contest for school students; educational activities targeting the younger generation together with exhibitions to raise awareness among the wider public. The European Anglers Alliance (of which the Angling Trust is a member) is represented on the expert advisory panel.

Want to do more to tackle litter?
Then why not get involved in the Marine Conservation Society's Big Beachwatch weekend from Friday 14th September - Monday 17th. Beach litter is collected and identified, and the data used to produce the MCS' annual Beachwatch report, which helps influence politicians and policymakers throughout the UK. This event is part of the bigger Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup, which in 2011 saw just short of 600,000 volunteers from over a hundred countries and locations collect millions of items of debris. For more information and details of how to get involved visit www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch.

Save The Portland Coastguard Helicopter!
The Government have announced that the Portland search and rescue helicopter in Dorest is due to be taken out of service in 2018. Many anglers will know how important this service is for saving lives and some may have even benefited from it themselves over the years. Please take a few minutes to sign this e-petition urging the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State to reverse this decision. Forward this email on to your friends and colleagues to sign too.

Calling all North East Under 18 Sea Anglers
Don't miss the chance to take part in a juniors' competition on the river Wear this Sunday (August 19th). Entry is only £2 with over £400 worth of prizes to be won. What's more, England Junior and Youth sea angling manager, Chris Clarke, will be there looking out for talented anglers! All competitors must be Angling Trust members which is free for under 18s. Entries will now be taken on the day. For more information and to download an application form visit www.fishingnortheast.co.uk

Let Our Bass Breed
The Angling Trust is supporting the Bass Anglers Sportfishing Society in a campaign to get the minimum landing size for bass increased. Recent evidence suggests that stocks may be in decline due to several poor years of recruitment and the intensive fishing pressure on immature fish.

Bait Digging Code Of Conduct
The Angling Trust has produced a new voluntary code of conduct for bait digging. The recommended voluntary code only covers non-professional bait diggers collecting bait for private use. It is hoped that the code will help to reduce conflict between bait diggers and other bodies as well as providing guidance on how to minimise any impact of bait collecting on the environment

Bexhill Competition Entries Now Being Taken - Don't Miss Out!
Entries are being taken for the boat specimen, kayak specimen, bass specimen, beach specimen and open shore competitions which are being held as part of the new Bexhill Sea Angling Festival from September 15th - 23rd. Anglers from all across the South Coast are expected to flock to Bexhill in East Sussex to compete for the trophies and great prizes on offer

National Angling Survey
The launch of the national angling survey last month saw an overwhelming response with over 30,000 anglers completing the survey in less than a month. Since then the second part of the survey targeting angling organisations has been launched