Sea Angling Science

The Angling Trust collaborates with a variety of partners on science and conservation projects with a strong focus on sea angling and recreationally-important species. We work in partnerships that value recreational sea angling as an important social and economic contributor to coastal communities and understand the unique role anglers play in further understanding our coastline.

Anglers and skippers are the eyes and ears for our seas. After many years spent on or by the ocean they have accumulated a great wealth of knowledge that is highly valuable in further understanding UK seas. Many species of recreational interest are considered to be data poor and we prioritise collaborating on scientific projects that the angling community have voiced would be valuable to them.

Why is data important for recreational sea angling?

Data is an ally in defending the interests of our sport, supporting its sustainability and promoting the benefits of sea angling to coastal communities socially and economically. It ensures our sports future and that we can create a better sea angling experience both now and in the future to secure the next generation. Under the Fisheries Act (2020) recreational sea angling is a named stakeholder for the first time. That brings with it a number of opportunities, but also many challenges on the horizon. For us to continue in the best interests of protecting fish, fishing and the environment robust data is vital to strengthening our lobbying positions to government and to delivering the healthy fisheries that our sport depends upon.

Shark Hub UK

Anglers and scientists, together as equals

Shark Hub UK is a collaborative partnership between recreational shark anglers, skippers and scientists to further improve our collective understanding of shark species in our waters and to support the sustainability of shark angling.

CHART - Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Understanding an iconic species

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna are back in UK waters and we want to give them a future. These iconic sporting fish have rebounded from the edge of extinction thanks to international management measures. The CHART programme seeks to understand the ecology of these impressive fish and evidence the socio-economic value a recreational fishery could bring to our shores. CHART is a licensed recreational scientific fishery.

Angling for Sustainability

Tagging recreationally-important species

In partnership with the University of Plymouth, the Professional Boatman's Association, Natural England and Southern IFCA this project will work with charter boats to deploy tags on black bream, undulate ray and tope across the Dorset and Solent region. This work is funded through the UK government Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) programme.

Project Pollack

An important recreational fishery

In partnership with the Professional Boatman's Association, University of Plymouth and the University of York, Project Pollack is designed to further investigate reported declines in pollack observed by skippers. Pollack are a recreationally important species socio-economically. This work is funded through the UK government Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) programme.

Catchwise

Evidencing the value of sea angling

As recreational sea angling is now a formally recognised stakeholder in UK fisheries management more attention is focused on the socio-economic value of the sport and recreationally-important species. Across England and Wales this survey project aims to ensure data informing fisheries management on recreational angling is as accurate as possible by bringing anglers and skippers together with scientists, policy makers and managers in an equal partnership. This work is funded through the UK government Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) programme.

Sea Angling Diary Project

Play your part in improving our fisheries

The Sea Angling Diary Project is for English and Welsh sea anglers to demonstrate the value of sea angling and help to improve the sustainable management of UK fisheries. Since 2016 it has helped to inform better decision making about sea angling's future. The project is delivered by Substance and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) on behalf of the English and Welsh governments.

Sorry, the time allowance for your purchase has expired.

Your tickets have been un-frozen, if you wish to re-claim them, please try to purchase again.

Events