I'm surprised nobody's added to this...It's just the sort of thing anglers should be seen to debate in public. I should add that the chief executive of EN is an angler, and EN seems generally very well-disposed to angling. We really should take some notice. Perhaps offer some help - while asking for advice?
All the recent debate about fish feeling pain has served to show is that yet again, the angling fraternity can't act together. Well, perhaps there are good reasons for it. Perhaps we should give up trying to act together, if it doesn't come naturally. But what else should we do?
I think the PR route is the one to take, following in the the footsteps of Ashe Hurst, who I think has blazed a trail we all ought to follow as best we can. Anyone who read the fish/pain threads he took part in can't help but admire the attitude he's taking. But does he get to go fishing? I don't know, but as they say, if you want to get something done, ask a busy person...
Ashe isn't alone, either. There are others, but I don't remember any names off hand.