Angling Direct adds support to the Angling Trust’s Water Quality Monitoring Network in the fight against pollution

We’re proud to announce that leading fishing tackle retailer Angling Direct will become a sponsor and provide comprehensive support for the Angling Trust’s ‘Anglers Against Pollution’ campaign. 

This partnership reflects Angling Direct’s commitment to help the angling community protect the UK’s waterways for the future of angling and the benefit of the whole community who enjoy being by the waterside.

Angling Direct will provide essential contributions and logistical support to the Angling Trust’s rapidly expanding Water Quality Monitoring Network (WQMN). This innovative citizen science project empowers anglers to monitor and report on water quality across England and Wales, gathering critical data to address the growing crisis of pollution.

Since its launch in May 2022, the WQMN has enrolled anglers from 280 angling clubs who have conducted over 8,500 water quality tests on over 220 rivers across England and Wales, revealing the impact of pollution on freshwater ecosystems.

Water quality testing (from left) Jamie Stansfield and Del Shackleford of Reading & District AA, Peter Devery of Angling Trust, and Phil Spinks of Angling Direct.

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

“The importance of the Water Quality Monitoring Network cannot be overstated, and we are delighted this ground-breaking angler-led citizen science initiative now has the support of Angling Direct.

“With only 14% of UK water bodies in good ecological condition, pollution is at a crisis point. In 2023 alone, there were over half a million recorded sewage spills. Extremely high levels of phosphates and nitrates from sewage are fuelling algal blooms which cause oxygen levels to drop, damaging fish stocks and aquatic life. These conditions also allow for various e-coli strains to thrive, posing a health risk to all waterway users including anglers.”

Steven Crowe, CEO of Angling Direct said:

“Here at Angling Direct, we believe angling and clean water go hand in hand so are aiming to build a legacy of environmental responsibility. In addition to supporting the Anglers Against Pollution campaign, we’re going to continue our commitment to other vital environmental and community programmes. This includes ongoing support for the Angling Trust’s Get Fishing campaign, which introduces newcomers to the joys of angling, and we have expanded our partnership with the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme.”

Angling Trust and Angling Direct invites anglers, clubs, and the wider community to get involved in the fight against pollution. By supporting the Anglers Against Pollution campaign, everyone can play a part in safeguarding the future of the UK’s waterways. You can find more information on how you can support the campaign on the Angling Trust website here.

If your angling club would like to get involved in the Water Quality Monitoring Network project, please email [email protected]

For more information about Angling Direct’s commitment to support the campaign, please visit the Angling Direct website here.