Angling Trust Calls for Recreational Sea Fishing to Be Recognised in UK Fisheries Action Plan

The Angling Trust has submitted detailed evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fisheries, calling for recreational sea fishing and charter angling businesses to be formally recognised within the Government’s forthcoming Action Plan for a Thriving and Sustainable UK Fishing Industry.

The submission argues that recreational sea fishing is a major but frequently overlooked part of the UK fishing industry, despite being recognised within the Fisheries Act 2020, Joint Fisheries Statement and Fisheries Management Plans. Contributing an estimated £1.5 billion in direct economic activity each year, supporting around 15,000 jobs and involving more than 700,000 participants across England, recreational sea fishing is a significant contributor to coastal economies and communities.

The Trust’s response highlights the vital role played by sea anglers, charter skippers, clubs, tackle shops and coastal tourism businesses in sustaining working harbours and coastal economies around the country.

Hannah Rudd, Head of Marine at the Angling Trust, said:

“Recreational sea fishing supports jobs, businesses and coastal communities all around the country, but too often the sector’s needs and interests are overlooked in fisheries policy and investment decisions. A national action plan for fishing should account for all types of fishing and the livelihoods they support – whether that’s commercial vessels, charter boats, tackle businesses or the wider coastal tourism economy. This is a real opportunity to ensure government properly considers recreational sea fishing alongside the commercial sector in marine planning, harbour infrastructure, fisheries management and future funding.”

The submission calls for charter boat operators to be recognised explicitly as seafaring businesses, with equal access to funding for fleet modernisation, decarbonisation and harbour infrastructure.

It also urges the government to include recreational fishing within the proposed Sea Use Framework, ensuring shore anglers, small boat anglers and charter operators are properly considered alongside commercial fishing, conservation and offshore energy development.

Among the key recommendations are:

• Investment in shore-based angling infrastructure, including piers, slipways, trailer parking and coastal access
• Equal access to funding and support for charter boat operators as important seafaring businesses and fishing livelihoods
• Recognition of recreational fishing’s role in supporting the future maritime workforce, public support for fishing communities and people’s connection to the marine environment
• A proportionate approach to recreational fisheries management that reflects the sector’s distinct characteristics, including high catch-and-release rates, distributed participation and its social and economic value to coastal communities
• A renewed focus on rebuilding trust between government and the wider fishing community, including recreational anglers and charter operators
• Recognition of recreational sea fishing as a significant but often overlooked driver of coastal tourism, supporting accommodation, hospitality, charter businesses and tackle shops throughout the year

The submission stresses that recreational and commercial fishing sectors share many of the same priorities, including healthy fish stocks, clean coastal waters, functioning harbours and thriving coastal communities.

The APPG on Fisheries is gathering evidence to inform recommendations for a future long-term strategy for the UK fishing industry.

Read the full submission here