EFTTA News on bass and cormorants

European Ministers back one bag bass limit for anglers

The European Council of Ministers has this morning backed the reinstatement of the one bag bass limit for anglers. As expected, it has ratified a proposal by the European Commission which supported a move to allow bass anglers in the region to keep one fish from each fishing trip – starting on Monday (October 1) and running until the end of the year.

 

The go-ahead is a major victory for the efforts of EFTTA and the European Anglers Alliance (EAA), which have lobbied hard on the issue.

 

The go-ahead is a major victory for the efforts of EFTTA and the European Anglers Alliance (EAA), which have lobbied hard on the issue. It is also a boost for retailers and charter skippers in the European regions affected – particularly the U.K. and northern France – who have been struggling since catch and release was introduced.

Bass limit – read more here

Meeting to discuss need for Europe-wide strategy on cormorant control

Cormorants and the need for a Europe-wide strategy to control their impact on fish stocks will be discussed at the next meeting of the EFTTA and European Anglers Alliance (EAA)–backed Forum for Recreational Fisheries and Aquatic Environment (RecFishing Forum). Despite the European Parliament adopting a management plan which included countries within the union working together to develop a population management strategy a decade ago, the number of cormorants is on the increase – particularly in the Nordic region.

 

Cormorants are said to eat in excess of one million kilos of fish per day.
Cormorants are said to eat in excess of one million kilos of fish per day.

 

During the conference, the speakers will give more facts about the current situation and present some possible solutions.

Forum – read more here

 

EFTTA asks for a meeting with the European Commission about marine litter – angling gear

EFTTA lobbyist Jan Kappel has delivered to the Commission an EFTTA position statement (1) on the proposed Directive “on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment“ (2), with a request for a meeting with the Commission. The proposed Directive aims to prevent and reduce the impact that certain single-use plastic products (SUPs) have, particularly on the aquatic environment, and to promote the transition to a circular economy. However, in addition to SUPs the Directive also applies to fishing gear containing plastic and proposes the introduction of measures for the improved management of waste fishing gear containing plastic returned to shore and its financing.

 

EFTTA is very unhappy that recreational angling gear may be included the Directive’s scope.

 

EFTTA is very unhappy that recreational angling gear may be included the Directive’s scope. Without changes, the proposed extended producer responsibility will become unreasonable to EFTTA’s members as they in general will be held financially responsible for the recycling of waste fishing gear used by commercial fishers.

Read EFTTA’s change proposals here

 

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