Two shore-caught fish confirmed as records

The British Record Fish Committee met remotely via online meeting facility on 9th June 2022.

Present were:
Mr M Heylin OBE, Chairman
Dr Phill Williams, Marine Specialist
Mr David Craig, Ireland Representative
Mr Andrew Nellist, Freshwater Specialist
Mr Mat Mander, Marine Specialist
Capt. Stephen Mardlin RN, Freshwater Specialist

The committee considered and accepted the following record claims as being duly ratified:

Tope (Galeorhinus galeus), (shore-caught) of 82lb 10oz, caught by Mario Asprou on 18th December 2021 from Strumble Head, West Wales. Mario’s catch takes the record from Ryan Wingfield’s 2018 fish of 77lb 3oz, also from Strumble Head.

Ling (Molva molva), (shore-caught) of 21lb 13oz, caught on 4th January 2022 by Kevin Griffiths from Pemberth Cove rocks, Cornwall. Kevin’s fish overtakes K Smith’s 1994 shore-caught record of 21lb 10oz.

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The BRFC will be conducting a review of the criteria for record claims in respect of certain marine species which may not be landed for weighing purposes. The committee will correspond with and seek input from relevant specialist angling groups as this project develops.

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The Committee would like to remind readers that in the event of the capture of a potential record fish, the captor should first contact the British Record (rod-caught) Fish Committee without delay.

Captors of potential record fish should contact the Secretary, Nick Simmonds, at the Angling Trust, on 01568 620447 or by email at [email protected]

Nick will record the details of the capture and advise the claimant on progressing the claim.

More information about what to do if you catch a record fish can be found in the BRFC web pages here.

Notes:

The official British Records List and procedures are available on the Angling Trust website here or from the Secretary.

The initial telephone contact point of the BRFC remains at the Angling Trust Head Office on 01568 620447 and email enquiries may be directed to the Secretary Nick Simmonds at [email protected]

The next meeting of the committee will be scheduled for November 2022. As previously the committee will continue to consider all claims as and when they arise and to keep captors informed as to progress.

Aims and Objectives of the BRFC:

The Committee exists to recognise and publish record weights of both fresh and salt water fish caught on rod and line by fair angling methods in the waters of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, and aims:

• To provide an adjudicating body to which marine and freshwater anglers may submit claims for record fish taken by fair rod and line angling.
• To investigate all such record claims to the fullest possible extent and maintain a permanent record of such investigations.
• To establish and maintain accurately a list of British fish, marine and freshwater, of record size and to publish this list frequently and make it readily available to all interested persons.

The activities of the Committee are voluntary, and claims are considered and adjudicated upon, only on the basis that the Committee shall be under no obligation whatsoever to claimants, that its decisions shall be final, and it shall not be obliged to give reasons for its decisions.

More information:

For further information please contact:
Nick Simmonds – Secretary
British Record (rod caught) Fish Committee
c/o The Angling Trust
Eastwood House
6 Rainbow Street
Leominster
Herefordshire HR6 8DQ

Tel: 01568 620447 / 0343 5077006

Email: [email protected]