EFTTA is thrilled to celebrate the success of our inaugural Angling Summit, an event that united leaders and stakeholders from across the tackle trade industry in meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
We put tremendous effort into designing a program that would ignite intensive conversations about the future of recreational angling. Thanks to the active contributions of our dedicated keynote speakers and the enthusiasm and engagement of our audience, we successfully created a vibrant and collaborative networking event. The day was filled with insightful discussions and the building of valuable connections, which extended well into the evening.
The feedback from the summit has been overwhelmingly positive! Attendees loved the insightful and educational keynotes with valuable perspectives on the future of recreational angling. The relaxed atmosphere and active participation created a dynamic and enriching networking event with stimulating exchanges.
Here are just a few of the reactions we received after the summit:
Cécile Fouquet, Aliénor: "... Witnessing history in the making is a rare privilege, and the inaugural EFTTA Angling Council was one such moment. The European angling industry convened for the first time to engage in comprehensive policy discussions about its role and contributions to society, and it was a remarkable program! Congrats to EFTTA for successfully turning this idea into reality..."
David Lyons, Tackling Minds: "... Wow, what an incredible experience it was! Meeting so many passionate and inspiring people from across the angling industry was a privilege. The keynote talks were nothing short of phenomenal, covering the future of angling, innovation in the tackle trade, and the power of collaboration to grow our sport..."
Moira Dal Pozzo, Plastools: "... It was truly fantastic to see you in Berlin. I initially had some doubts, thinking it would be just a meeting to discuss ongoing and future projects, but I was pleasantly surprised! The atmosphere was incredible: as people spoke, they embraced you and pulled you into a whirlwind of emotions and interest. There wasn't a single dull moment, in fact, I was constantly energized and engaged by the discussions. It was really inspiring!..."
One message resonated clearly across all keynotes and conversations: While the future of recreational angling heavily depends on the pillars of clean waters, healthy habitats, and environmental responsibility, we also need reliable scientific and socio-economic data to make a real impact at European level and beyond. To achieve this, we all need to work together—anglers, the angling industry, and other related sectors like boating. Only united can we develop these pillars and provide the necessary data; only united can we ensure that our voices are heard.
Last but not least we wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to give a big shoutout to our fantastic host, Angling World Berlin, for their incredible support—whether in marketing, logistics, or technical expertise—and for providing such an amazing venue that made this event possible! A huge thank you to Felix and your remarkable team! We can’t wait to do it all again next year on 27 NOVEMBER – the day before the opening of Angling World Berlin 2025. Save the date!
Here’s a quick recap for those who couldn’t make it—and we hope it inspires you to join us next year!
=> Click this link to see further IMAGES that bring it all to life.
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The first-ever EFTTA Angling Summit in Berlin kicked off with a warm welcome from EFTTA President Gerard Bakkenes and Vice-President Ross Honey.
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Cecile Fouquet of Alienor set the stage with a compelling presentation about a decade of lobbying the EU on behalf of angling and the trade, highlighting the success of the RecFishForum in strengthening the angling sector's voice at the EU level.
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Joana Patricio, fisheries control expert from DG Mare at the European Commission, provided an engaging update on the upcoming EU-wide rules and tools for reporting recreational catches of specific species. She emphasized the critical need for the industry to come together and present a unified voice to be effectively heard in Brussels.
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Peter Lyngby, President of Dansk Lystfiskeri - the Danish Tackle Trade Association - delivered an insightful presentation on the looming challenges posed by implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility for plastics, set to take effect in 2025.
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Prof. Robert Arlinghaus from IGB and Humboldt University, Berlin presented insightful statistics on the impact of catch-and-release practices on different species and explored ways to enhance these methods for better outcomes.
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Tintti Drake from the Finnish Federation for Recreational Fishing delivered an inspiring presentation, sharing how she and her team have successfully increased the participation of women in angling across Finland.
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The inspiration continued with David Lyons from the UK-based mental health organization Tackling Minds, who shared how his personal journey through addiction motivated him to support others by introducing them to the therapeutic benefits of fishing. The UK industry has supported him so far, but there’s clear demand for this great idea across Europe and beyond.
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Robert Marx, President of the European Boating Industry, emphasized the strong potential for synergies between the boating and tackle trade industry, highlighting the opportunities for collaboration to drive mutual growth and innovation.
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Another highlight of the afternoon was Glenn Hughes, President of the American Sportfishing Association, who joined remotely on Thanksgiving Day (thank you Glenn!). He shared impressive numbers on angler participation and funding in the U.S., along with innovative ideas to help Europe expand its angling promotion.
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EFTTA lobbyist Jan Kappel provided a comprehensive overview of the long-running discussions surrounding the impending EU lead restrictions, with a cautionary note that the proposals could finally progress by 2025.
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Using competitive angling as a scientific tool (CAST) offers an innovative approach to studying fish species and habitats. Prof. Gordon Watson and his team from the University of Portsmouth showcased their achievements through the UK’s Sea Angling Classic event.
Each presentation was followed by a Q&A session, sparking lively discussions and valuable contributions from industry leaders, including notable input from Rapala VMC and Fladen Fishing in France and Sweden
The event wrapped up with a forward-looking panel featuring the EFTTA board, lobbyists, and the European Anglers’ Alliance, sharing their perspectives on the industry's future and ways to collaborate effectively.
The day came to an exciting close with a networking dinner and an inspiring talk by Professor Bella Urbanyi from the Hungarian University, highlighting the potential role of science in advancing the angling sector.
© pictures: Tackle Trade World (thank you John!), Messe Berlin, EFTTA
