NAA Press Release

The following NAA PRESS RELEASE has been released.
The National Angling Alliance are delighted to announce the launch of their

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COARSE ANGLERS

The Prince of Wales has endorsed a new blueprint for environmentally-friendly fishing, the National Angling Alliance Code of Conduct for Coarse Anglers. The new Code gives comprehensive coverage on care of the environment, anglers’ behaviour, tackle advice and up to date fish care. The aim is to build and enhance angling and help safeguard the natural world in which anglers fish. Anglers have always been the eyes and ears of the aquatic environment and its surrounding habitat, seeking to protect and enhance the environment in which we fish.

Britain's millions of coarse anglers are being asked to adopt the Code, and the RSPB, Environment Agency, English Nature, Professor David Bellamy and many others have backed the document, which has been sponsored by a grant from the Environment Agency.

“We are extremely pleased that Prince Charles, who is a keen angler as well as a committed conservationist, has supported the Code.” said Chris Burt, who had the task of editing the new code.

Reading West MP and keen angler Martin Salter, Parliamentary Spokesman for Angling, said: "The vast majority of experienced anglers are highly responsible people who care both for the fish and for the environment but even they will benefit from reading this document. I applaud the work of the Specialist Anglers Alliance, the Environment Agency and everyone else who has worked so hard to put together this excellent Code of Conduct. It should be widely read by newcomers to our sport and those of us who have been wielding fishing rods with varying degrees of success for more years than we care to remember."

Dr David Clarke Head of Fisheries at the Environment Agency said, “We are very pleased to have been involved in producing this code. Angling provides a unique opportunity for people to enjoy the natural world in a quiet and unobtrusive way. Following this common sense guide to angling values and behaviour will enable coarse anglers to enjoy their sport while guarding against damage to fish stocks, their environment and other wildlife.”

The new code is available through the NAA Secretariat, the Environment Agency, the National Federation of Anglers, and the Specialist Anglers’ Alliance.
- ENDS –

Enquiries:
Contact Chris Burt Info@saauk.org

For the Environment Agency: Tel: 020 7863 8710
For the NFA: Tel: 01283 734735
NAA Secretariat: Tel: 020 7283 5838

Note:

1. The National Angling Alliance comprises the angling governing bodies – the National Federation of Anglers, the National Federation of Sea Anglers and the Salmon & Trout Association – who have been joined by the Angling Trade Association, Specialist Anglers’ Alliance and the National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives to form a working group.
2. The Code is aimed at all branches of coarse fishing, and includes a section for beginners. It covers care of the environment, anglers’ behaviour, tackle, fish care & stocking/diseases in a comprehensive & responsible manner. It aims to instruct, address problem issues and to help safeguard the environment in which anglers fish to establish comprehensive & nationally recognised standards.
3. The Code can also be used as best practice guidance for angling administrators, including fishing clubs and local authorities, which run freshwater fisheries.
4. A total of 30,000 copies of the original Code have been distributed. This new edition will have a print run of nearly 50,000.
5. This New Code was prepared by the Specialist Anglers’ Alliance on behalf of the National Angling Alliance.

Ends.

SAA group members will automatically receive a copy of the Code, but if you would like to receive one please send an A5 stamped addressed envelope (38p stamp) to me. Bulk copies are available on request. The Code may also be reproduced in whole or in part (for no charge) by applying in writing to ourselves and showing due acknowledgement to SAA. The Code will also be placed on our web-site in due course, once the text and diagrams have been converted back from the publishers format.

Chris Burt, 3, Great Cob, Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 6LA.

Did you get my e mail Monk?

I have now mate, cheers, sorry about that, I've gone from a Mac back onto a PC, caused some problems !