Recreational sea angling

Recent reports (Net benefits, 2004; Drew, 2004, Cappell & Lawrence, 2005) have highlighted the importance of recreational sea angling (RSA) and Defra has been developing a strategy for RSA through consultation with stakeholders from recreational and commercial fishing sectors, green groups and government agencies and a series of meetings around the English coast. 

A new objective for Cefas is to provide advice to government on recreational sea angling, but at present there are few formal and reliable datasets available for recreational fisheries and for some species that are important for recreational angling. 

Cooperation from anglers in providing an improved knowledge base to underpin future management of recreational sea angling is crucial if the management of RSA is to be improved and we therefore hope that sea anglers will contribute to our research programmes where-ever possible.   

Cefas is currently working on a number of projects involving recreational sea anglers to develop new datasets that will help to underpin and improve the assessment and management of recreational fisheries.  These currently include projects being carried out for both Defra and Natural England.

References

Cappell, R. and Lawrence, R. (2005). The motivation, demographics and views of south west recreational sea anglers and their socio-economic impact on the region. Invest in Fish South West Report, 118pp. 

Drew Associates, 2004 (=Crabtree et al. 2004). Research into the economic contribution of sea angling. Final report to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 71 pp. plus 7 Annexes.  

Net Benefits, 2004. A sustainable and profitable future for UK fishing. Prime Ministers Strategy Unit, Cabinet Office. 168pp.