Campaigns

19 December 2023

Angling Trust welcomes IUCN’s assessment of Atlantic salmon

The Angling Trust is a member of the Missing Salmon Alliance (MSA) and together we have welcomed the new International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification for Atlantic salmon, including listing the majority of the UK’s populations as endangered.

This change in conservation status is supported by the research and work of members of the MSA. Their evidence, including the Angling Trust’s own Salmon Charter, and its actions to promote conservation and restoration of the species formed part of this re-assessment.

Anglers have been leading the way for many years when it comes to salmon conservation through a range of voluntary measures and self-imposed behaviour changes to ensure their actions are carried out responsibly. These conservation efforts are clearly recognised in the accompanying information provided on the IUCN website.

Stuart Singleton-White, Head of Campaigns at the Angling Trust, said:

“Calls for further restrictions on responsible angling will not address the issues and conservation crisis facing Atlantic salmon. Such moves would be counter-productive and only serve to make the outcome worse.

“The angling community is at the very heart of Atlantic salmon conservation. Individual anglers and angling organisations provide knowledge, practical support, and huge amounts of the funding that underpins the work of conservation, as well as countless hours of volunteer work assisting conservation projects, monitoring water quality, and combating illegal exploitation.

“The decline of wild Atlantic salmon in Great Britain has already damaged the cultural, spiritual, and emotional health and wellbeing of communities like anglers who live and work on our rivers, and these communities are absolutely central to the solutions and actions we need to take to restore wild Atlantic salmon.”

There are many pressures facing Atlantic salmon, in both our rivers and coastal waters. Urgent action is needed in areas such as removing barriers, improving spawning and juvenile fish habitat, bolstering river climate change resilience, and reducing water pollution to support the restoration of wild Atlantic salmon. More protection is also needed in the marine environment. These are the issues that must be addressed to ensure a future for Atlantic salmon, the wider biodiversity of our river catchments, and local communities.

23 December 2024

Young angler, scientist and environmentalist shortlisted for prestigious marine…

Hannah Rudd, the Angling Trust’s Marine Policy and Advocacy Manager, has been shortlisted for the pr…

20 December 2024

Youtube star Amie Battams to become Angling Trust Ambassador

Amie with Martin Salter, Angling Trust Head of Policy Amie Battams, a passionate fly-fishing angler…

19 December 2024

Approved! Sussex IFCA Minimum Size Byelaw: What Sea Anglers…

Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) has announced the approval of its Minimum…

19 December 2024

UK Must Not Buckle to Brussels Over Fishing Access

Brussels is set to demand that Britain surrender its fishing rights and adhere to European Union law…

18 December 2024

Joint Fisheries Statement: What Sea Anglers Need to Know

As sea anglers, we’re always thinking about the future of our fisheries. Ensuring our seas are full…

Competitions

17 December 2024

TWO NEW SPONSORS ANNOUNCED FOR ANGLING TRUST SEA LEAGUE…

The Angling Trust are delighted to reveal two new sponsors will take over the PENN Sea League…

17 December 2024

SINGLE FISH WINS BRITISH PIKE CHAMPS FINAL 2024

Most matches need dozens of fish to get you over the winning line, but the world of pike fishing is…

13 December 2024

Overdue Changes to Channel Commercial Fisheries Introduced… But Are…

The UK Government is finally implementing the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) program, which recentl…

13 December 2024

FIP Support for Community’s Astonishing Legacy

Since its inception, The Fisheries Improvement Programme (FIP) has supported angling clubs and fishi…

12 December 2024

2025 UK-EU Fishing Agreement Charts Dangerous Path

This year, UK and EU decision-makers have reached agreements on commercial fishing limits that threa…

12 December 2024

Sea Anglers Tackle Water Quality and Litter Pollution in…

The Angling Trust is thrilled to announce the launch of two innovative projects funded by the Fisher…

12 December 2024

Book Review – Forgotten Fen by Gareth Craddock

In my view, the real test of a fishing book is “does it make you want to go fishing”. In the case of…

You might also like