The Environment Agency proposed new byelaws that proposed to restrict the type and number of fish that anglers could legitimately take from rivers this summer, and their consultation attracted over 800 responses, H&C has learned. The consultation revealed a range of opinion among anglers on whether they should be allowed to take the coarse fish that they catch.

Key findings from the consultation showed that:

• Many anglers believe that all coarse fish should be returned alive and that measures are necessary to protect coarse fisheries.

• Almost half of people responding agreed that there should not be a complete ban on the removal of fish and made compelling arguments for allowing some fish to be taken. For example, predator anglers should be able to take some small fish for live or dead baits. Fishery managers should be allowed to remove damaging non-native fish species. Some argued that we should allow one or two fish of certain species and sizes, notably pike and grayling, to be taken for the pot or for fishery management purposes.

• Many argued that stillwaters are equally at risk from illegal fishing and, as anglers pay the same licence fee irrespective of where they fish, these fisheries should be equally protected. Many recognised the legal issues around this, but asked whether these were insurmountable.

Thanks to this input from fisheries managers, anglers and other interested parties, the Environment Agency has modified its proposals to take into account their views.

The Environment Agency now proposes to:

• Prohibit coarse fish removal from rivers, while still allowing anglers to take a some small fish for use as bait and a limited number of larger fish of certain species and sizes.

• Prohibit coarse fish removal from stillwaters, except with written permission of the fishery owner.

Adrian Taylor, Fisheries Policy Manager, says; “We are very grateful for the huge and informed response to the consultation, and we have acted by re-shaping some of our proposals.”

“Having listened to what anglers and fishery owners have said we feel we have got the balance right. No longer will it be legal to remove highly prized specimen fish from rivers in England and Wales without specific consent and the new rules will be clearer and easier to enforce.

“Hopefully, we can get the message across that, apart from a few exceptions, such as taking some small fish for use as bait or for fishery management purposes, catch and release should be the norm. Enforcement is critical to the byelaws’ success and we will consider this over the coming months. We also want to work with fishery management organisations and fishery owners to help them to protect their waters.”

The Environment Agency expect to finalise and advertise the byelaws in December, allowing six weeks for anyone to object or offer support, and apply to government for confirmation early in the new year.