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Solid future for anglers

16th Dec 2005

British Waterways has joined forces with angling agencies to take a big step forward for anglers on Britain's canals.

At a meeting on the 7th December, representatives of British Waterways, the National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives and the National Federation of Anglers signed up to an ‘on-line angling and fisheries’ policy document.

A key feature set out in the document is the creation of local angling and fisheries plans to be written for each British Waterways unit by November 2006. This will be completed by working together with angling representatives.

Agreement to this policy is the culmination of many months of consultation and hard work by all involved. As BW Marketing and Customer Service Director Simon Salem said, "It is good to see us making progress in such an important area. We must have the support of our angling customers if we are to deliver the facilities we all want and which contribute to the vibrancy and sustainability of the waterways. So we appreciate the input of both NAFAC and NFA in getting us to this point. There is still lots of hard work to be done, but I am confident we can build on the relationship we have now established."

NFA President, Terry Fell endorsed Simon’s comments, saying, "This is most certainly in the best interests of the future of angling. We welcome the new spirit of cooperation we believe has been established. No doubt we still face our challenges, but at least we all know we are working to the same objective."

Terry Mansbridge, Executive Chairman of NAFAC and a man known to have some strong views on the way BW has handled angling matters in the past added, "At last I feel we are making progress and have established a new working relationship with BW. The potential is enormous and I would ask all anglers and clubs to give this initiative their support."

Last updated: 22/10/2008