EFTTA ROUND-UP OF IMPORTANT WORLD FISHING NEWS

Some of the latest world fishing news for EFTTA members – including important information about ICAST.

USA – ICAST 2008 NOW BOOKABLE ONLINE
ICAST 2008, the world’s largest showcase of innovation in sportfishing gear and accessories under one roof, will be held this year on July 16-18 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Limited exhibition space is still available, and remaining booth space is going quickly, so companies who want to exhibit at the world’s largest sportfishing industry expo should submit an exhibit space contract as soon as possible.

2,000 buyers and 400 media representatives attend the show. One of the best resources ASA provides for its exhibitors is the Exhibitor Promo Pak. The Promo Pak contains many items to help exhibitors promote their booths and attract buyers to the show.
A hard copy of the Promo Pak will be mailed to all confirmed exhibitors in March. A downloadable PDF is also available on the website.

For more information about ICAST contact Ken Andres.

SCOTLAND – CRAYFISH CAUSE TOURISM HEADACHE
A call has been made for action to reduce crayfish numbers in Scotland. American signal crayfish, which can eat young fish and destroy their habitat, have been found in increasing numbers at Loch Ken in Dumfries and Galloway.

Bob Williams of the Glenkens Business Association said the problem was having a 'major impact' on trade in the area and there are fears the situation is especially damaging tourism revenues.

Hoteliers in the area say they have seen a significant downturn in the number of fishermen coming to the loch and that many of them are abandoning south west Scotland for the more consistent fishing in Holland and Ireland.

Dave Paterson of the Kenbridge Hotel said it affected more than the hospitality industry.

"Loch Ken has been a Mecca for fishermen for many years," he said. "If the standards are dropping then we are going to have less people coming here. This impacts obviously on the hotels but it also impacts on the businesses and the infrastructure of the area."


ENGLAND – FUNDING CUT FOR YOUTH FISHING SCHEME

Schoolchildren hooked on a pioneering fishing scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour in the West Midlands have had their funding cut by a local council.

The ‘Catch 'Em Young’ scheme encouraged Walsall school pupils aged 11 to 15 to stay away from crime and unruly behaviour through fishing. Launched in 2005 by Brownhills Crime Reduction Officer PC Darren Robbins, the scheme was adopted by secondary schools in the area.

But Walsall Safer Borough Partnership can no longer afford the £60,000 required annually to run the scheme. Based at the Catch 'Em Young Lake at Forge Farm in Abbots Bromley, the scheme required youngsters to sign a good behaviour contract to ensure they would listen and try their best on the course.

By teaching self-discipline and creating a sense of pride in their achievements, the scheme was copied by local authorities across the country.

Initially run by volunteers, the scheme hired five self-employed coaches who were given four days' notice that they would no longer be required. One of the coaches, Roy Russell, said: "Over the last 18 months we've had nothing but excellent reports but now the funding plug has been pulled."

ENGLAND – MORE CONCERN OVER UK FISHING POLICY

Anglers in the North east of England have voiced their concerns over the UK government's Marine Bill White Paper and Recreational Sea Angling Strategy.

The government is creating a strategy for recreational sea angling to protect the marine eco-system and to promote what the seas and coasts have to offer on a socio-economic basis.

But some of the proposals stipulated in the Bill have worried anglers, including imposing licences for sea anglers, which some anglers have labelled as a stealth tax, bag limits and restrictions on bait collection.

Anglers fear that these could have a detrimental impact on sea angling.

David Morton, the regional co-ordination for the Sea Anglers Conservation Network in the North East, warned: "Recreational sea angling is one of the most popular participation hobbies in the North East, supporting many businesses and livelihoods.

"The proposed changes will affect many thousands of anglers in our region, as well as impacting upon the substantial contribution which recreational sea angling makes towards the region's economy."

USA – ASA HELPS TO SAVE THE SUMMER FLOUNDER

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the sportfishing industry’s trade association, is showing its support for summer flounder anglers by assisting the Save the Summer Flounder Fund (SSFF) in raising money for their efforts.

The Fund was founded by a coalition of individuals, angler groups and businesses in the Mid-Atlantic states whose livelihoods are dependent on a healthy and vibrant recreational fishing industry.

ASA, along with its members American Rod & Gun and Henry’s/Big Rock Sports, is contributing to the Fund by donating a Mako 17-foot, center console boat with accessories to be raffled off on June 28, 2008, during an SSFF event in Brielle, New Jersey.

Mike Nussman, ASA president and CEO, says, “Rebuilding our fish stocks goes hand in hand with good fisheries management. As an association, we have been, are and will be on the side of using the most up-to-date and reliable science in order to manage our fisheries. This applies to both fresh and saltwater species.”

TURKEY – EIFAC SYMPOSIUM

The European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) is organising an international symposium on “Interactions between social, economic and ecological objectives of inland commercial and recreational fisheries and aquaculture” between 21 and 24 May 2008 in connection with its 25th Session in Antalya, Turkey.

Sustainability is at the core of efforts to develop and manage inland fisheries (i.e. commercial and recreational) and aquaculture in Europe. Sustainability in this context includes social, economic and ecological (or more broadly environmental) aspects, which are shaped by functioning governance structures and management institutions. Previous EIFAC symposia have shown that in many cases sustainability is not viewed from all these three aspects in an integrated manner.

To download the prospectus click here.

UK – COST OF FISHING LICENCE SET TO RISE

The cost of a fishing licence in the UK is set to rise after Hilary Benn, the environment secretary, announced spending cuts on recycling, canals, wildlife conservation and forestry.

The move is part of a recasting of the department's £3.94bn budget following a ministerial crisis meeting earlier this year, when officials realised that the department was facing a £1bn overspend in the next three years.

Although the Environment Agency, which issues licences, will get an extra £49m to spend on flood protection next year and another £4m on environmental protection - it will have to save money on protecting fisheries and take on new responsibilities. Fishing licences are expected to go up to cover the cost.



>>> Ends.