No fishing in England during new lockdown
Fishing in England is banned under new lockdown laws
Angling has been banned in England despite high-level government representations from the Angling Trust.
Fishing can still continue, with tight restrictions, in Scotland and Wales, but Downing Street looks set to keep anglers away from English waters for at least six weeks.
Before the decision was made, the Angling Trust wrote to sports minister Oliver Dowden setting out how angling could continue safely. Key points included angling’s solitary nature, the fact the majority of the population live within five miles of a waterway and that allowing angling would reduce pressure on other public spaces.
The Angling Trust continues to put the case for angling to government
Trust campaign manager Martin Salter told us:
“We made our arguments and we disagreed with the government’s decision, but it was not entirely unexpected. I suspect they felt the need to give the public a serious wake-up call, and sadly fishing has been caught up in that.
He added:
“At every twist and turn from last March right through last year we’ve kept making the case that angling isn’t a problem, and we did that successfully. This time around we are obviously concerned with infection rates higher than back in March and higher than when we locked down. We had a feeling that this might be a lot more challenging.”
Mr Salter said the trust is preparing an updated version of its When We Fish Again proposal, which paved the way for angling’s resumption last spring.
He said:
“Anglers can rest assured when we judge there’s a reasonable likelihood of success we will push for angling to be one of the first activities allowed to resume. And this time with the benefit of a whole lot of experience.
“With a few notable examples of idiocy, the angling community has responded responsibly to our calls. The vast majority are acutely aware of the need to act sensibly and be ambassadors for the sport we all love.”
The Angling Trust is preparing an updated version of its When We Fish Again proposal, which paved the way for angling’s resumption last spring
Report submitted to get anglers fishing again
A report entitled ‘When We Fish Again’ has been submitted to Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove and the Fisheries and Sports Ministers.
The report, compiled by the Angling Trust, sets out the means by which recreational fishing could be permitted and draws on experience in other European countries including Germany, Holland, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Norway. In these countries, angling has been allowed to continue under certain conditions during the pandemic. This has provided significant benefits to both wellbeing and the economy, without having a detrimental impact on their efforts to combat COVID-19.
In the report, the Trust recommends a phased or ‘traffic light’ approach to the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Phase one, calls for recreational angling on lakes, rivers and sea to be added to the list of permissible activities subject to these guidelines:
Angling to be undertaken on a solitary basis - social distancing in accordance with government guidelines must be maintained at all times.
Local fishing only – anglers must follow current government guidance on travel for the benefit of recreational activity.
All freshwater anglers must be in possession of the relevant EA Fishing licence
Sea angling from beach and shore to resume along with small scale private boat fishing.
No sharing of fishing tackle or any other items
No sharing of fishing positions (swims) except by members of the same household
No angler to fish within 15 metres of any other angler
No keepnets or competition fishing
Online and electronic day ticket payments to be made wherever possible
Onsite shared facilities such as cafes and clubhouses to remain closed
Fisheries unable to adhere to these guidelines should remain closed until further notice
Anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19, or who shares a household with any individual displaying symptoms, should not go fishing and should continue to follow government advice on isolation.
The report has been backed by national angling and fisheries groups including the Canal & River Trust, Salmon & Trout Conservation, the Institute of Fisheries Management and representatives of the angling trade.
Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Angling Group, Sir Charles Walker MP said:
“I have spoken directly to the Minister for Tourism and Sport, Nigel Huddleston MP, to ask that angling, and other outdoor activities suited to social distancing, once again be given the green light. I explained to the Minister that the Angling Trust has produced a fantastic and detailed template as to how we can return, in a safe and responsible fashion, to the sport we love. The Trust’s plan provides a sensible and pragmatic way forward.”
Newly appointed CEO of the Angling Trust, Jamie Cook, was a key contributor to the report and is keen to get angling to the front of the queue, he said:
“We have demonstrated that angling in the UK could be permitted as a safe, healthy, beneficial outdoor activity.
“There is a large amount of evidence of the benefits angling has on both physical and mental health – it is prescribed by a number of NHS trusts as a proven therapy for mental wellbeing, and numerous military charities and organisations to combat PTSD.
“Fishing transcends social and physical boundaries, engages able-bodied and disabled participants alike, and with the majority of the population living within five miles of a waterway it can safely and practically be achieved without significant travel.”
For more information or to read the report in full, visit https://www.anglingtrust.net.
Watch the full video here: “When We Fish Again”