New site for real sea anglers has been established at Real Sea Anglers to add a place for us ordinary folk who enjoy and take our fishing seriously to voice our concerns over plans to restrict our traditional rights in sea fishing. Below is a direct quote from the site and is a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. Please visit, have a read and if you are in agreement, sign up at www.realseaanglers.org
Real Sea Anglers are people like you & me. We love & respect the sea and the bounty it provides. We fish with hook and line to relax from the stresses of everyday life, be at one with nature, and with luck bring something home to feed our selves and our families.
We do not sell our catch. We do not leave our lines unattended. We do not waste the resources of the sea. We care.
We care most for our historic freedom to fish in the waters of the British Isles, without let or hindrance, as untold generations have done before us, whether from the shore or in small craft.
Real Sea Angling is under threat today.
The Marine and Coastal Act in England, together with it’s clones in Scotland and the other nations of our Isles, combined with the inclusion of Sea Angling in the European Common Fisheries Policy, will deprive us of our traditional rights.
Our freedom to dig baits like lugworm, and ragworm, to collect shellfish for bait, whether they be mussels, cockles, razor fish or peeler crabs and shrimps will be removed under this Act.
Our freedom to decide for ourselves where we fish, what fish we keep for bait, what fish we keep to eat, and what we catch and release will be taken from us.
Our freedom to launch our small boats from beaches and slipways anywhere in the British Isles will be taken from us.
The operation of Angling Charter Boats will be made impossible.
We must not allow this to happen. And you can help to prevent it, if you are a Real Sea Angler.