The Angling Trust, based at Leominster, Herefordshire, is an organisation formed from the merger of six angling authorities to form a single and more powerful non-profit organisation for the benefit of anglers. The body oversees the development of angling for three disciplines —

coarse Coarse may refer to: *Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound, developed by 19th century Bosnian hunters as a scent hound. *Coarse (behavior), vulgar behavior * Coarse bubble diffusers, produce 1/4 to 1/2 inch bubbles which rise rapidly from the floor of a wa ...

, sea, and

game A game is a structured form of play (activity), play, usually undertaken for enjoyment, entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator s ...

fishing. The Angling Trust was set up to promote anglers' rights, fish conservation, preservation of habitat and fish and angler welfare.

Formation of the Angling Trust

In 2009, after two years of discussion, six Angling organisations merged to create the Angling Trust: the Anglers' Conservation Association (now Fish Legal), the Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust (FACT), the National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives (NAFAC), the National Federation of Anglers (NFA), the National Federation of Sea Anglers (NFSA), and the Specialist Anglers' Alliance (SAA). The Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA) pulled out of the merger consultations owing to wishing to keep its charitable status: under the law of England and Wales,

charities A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). The legal definition of a cha ...

are not allowed to merge. The Angling Development Board merged with the Angling Trust in 2012.

Aims and objectives

The Angling Trust organizes and strategizes activities towards achieving conservation of fish populations and habitat, protection of angling and anglers, increasing government and EA support and funding for angling and fisheries, assists control of nuisance predators, campaigns to prevent poaching and theft of fish, protects angler's rights, provides education and coaching to anglers and the wider community, supports diversity and angling club development. The trust fights Pollution, litter, over-abstraction of fish, commercial overfishing, harmful barrages, weirs and hydropower schemes, unlawful navigation, spread of diseases and parasites, access restrictions and anti-angling campaigns.

International Competitions

The Angling Trust, is the national governing body of England for competition angling with affiliation to Confédération Internationale de la Pêche Sportive (CIPS), Angling's world governing body. The England team takes part in most of the FIPSed, FIPSmer, FIPSmouche and FIPScasting organised championships. International FIPSed (Federation International De La Peche Sportive en eau douce)(English: International Fresh Water Sport Fishing Federation) competitions include World Coarse Angling Championships for Carp, Carnivorous Boats, masters, ladies, feeder, veterans, disabled, European, clubs, youth and nations.

British Record (Rod Caught) Fish Committee

The Angling Trust incorporates the

British Record (Rod Caught) Fish Committee The British Record (Rod Caught) Fish Committee -(BRFC) are the official organisation taking responsibility for all angling fish records within the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, collectively known as the "British Records" ...

which oversees and adjudicates the British Record Fish list for saltwater, game and freshwater fish caught by rod and line method.

Fish Legal

Fish Legal represents the Angling Trust in cases brought against polluters, those who contribute to the problem of litter, over-abstraction, commercial overfishing, habitat degradation, poaching, fish theft, unlawful navigation, the erection of barriers such as weirs, and hydropower schemes designed with inappropriate concern for anglers or fish welfare. One case in which the body has acted was on behalf of the Pride of Derby & Derbyshire Angling Association to preserve fishing rights in the local weir from developers.

References

External links

Fish LegalAngling TrustDEFRA
{{angling topics Organizations established in 2009 Recreational fishing in England Clubs and societies in Herefordshire