COVID and anglers trust update

[Leo Martin]

The Angling Trust is pleased that the government has recognised the value of allowing angling and other forms of outdoor recreation to continue – with members of your own household or with one other individual – through next month's lockdown. It seems that tackle shops will still be able to operate a 'click and collect' service. So we are still fishing.
Whilst we need to see the precise details in the regulations laid before Parliament on Monday it is likely there will be impacts on certain areas of our sport and we will update everybody just as soon as we are able to do so. Thanks for your patience


Dear Minister
The Angling Trust understands that the government may be about to impose a new
national lockdown in an effort to bring down the COVID-19 infection rate. As a responsible
National Governing Body we will do everything possible to assist in the collective
endeavour to get this pandemic under control, to save lives and to protect our NHS. We
did so last time around and will do so again.
However, we now know that socially distanced outdoor sports like angling, golf, cycling etc
are not in any way part of the problem. In fact, they contribute multiple benefits not only in
terms of health and mental wellbeing during these difficult times but in reducing pressure
on parks, footpaths and other open spaces where people would otherwise gather if
prohibited from pursuing their chosen pastimes.
Our purpose in writing to you is to urge you not to place wholly unnecessary restrictions on
angling and the £4bn angling trade which supports up to 40,000 jobs in the UK.
Recreational fishing has been practised safely and responsibly in England since May 13th
in accordance with the approved COVID compliant guidelines produced by the Angling
Trust.
In April of this year the Angling Trust, along with a number of other national governing
bodies representing outdoor sports, made successful representations to government to
permit the resumption of safe, socially distanced activities such as fishing, tennis and golf
to be carried out in accordance with COVID compliant guidelines.
In our When We Fish Again Report we proposed a safe resumption of angling in three
phases starting with individual fishing and moving on to match fishing and charter boat
fishing as government restrictions allowed.
https://joinanglingtrust.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/When-We-Fish-Again-Report14.pdf
We now have approved guidelines in place covering all aspects on angling including:
individuals, clubs and fisheries, coaches and guides, charter boats and competitions.
These COVID compliant guidelines have been widely accepted across angling and to the
best of our knowledge there have been no known examples where angling activity has
contributed to the spread of the virus. We feel it's important to encourage people to take
No need for Covid Restrictions on socially distanced
outdoor sports like angling
their essential recreation in a safe, socially distanced outdoor environment as opposed to
a crowded indoor situation.
On May 10th the Prime Minister announced the resumption of socially distanced outdoor
sports subject to guidance which was drawn up in consultation with Sport England and
through them with the appropriate national governing bodies like ourselves. The Angling
Trust helped develop comprehensive guidelines for all branches of our sport based on the
original proposals in our When We Fish Again report.
The report itself was endorsed by the Angling Trades Association, Salmon & Trout
Conservation, Canal & Rivers Trust and the Institute of Fisheries Management. It
recommended a phased resumption in line with the government's own criteria and
identified a number of other reasons why angling should be an early candidate for
consideration including: * being a largely solitary sport where social distancing occurs naturally * proven benefits for mental health and physical well-being * angling appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds and engages able-bodied and
disabled participants alike * the majority of the population live within 5 miles of a waterway minimising the need for
significant travel. * evidence that non-contact outdoor activities will not increase infection rates * a reduction in pressure on other public open spaces
The Angling Trust do not believe it is the intention of ministers to unnecessarily restrict
healthy activities like angling which are demonstrably beneficial for our health and well
being at this critical time. We ask you to be vigilant to ensure that any new regulation does
not accidentally do so. We contend that largely solitary, socially distanced, activities like
angling, golf, etc should not to be restricted under any new lockdown provisions beyond
that which was authorised on May 10th.
In these difficult and demoralising times we believe it is important to public confidence in
your measures, and ultimately vital to the wellbeing of the nation, that where they can
safely do so, people should be free to pursue their passions with the joy and comfort of
continuing some part of their normal lives.
The approved Angling Trust guidelines have sufficient safeguards and levels of
compliance and ought to satisfy any concerns as we enter this new phase. We are of
course happy to discuss these matters in more detail if it would be helpful.
We look forward to hearing from you
Martin Salter
Head of Policy
Angling Trust
31st October 2020

[steve]

The Angling Trust has done a great job and worked very hard representing anglers during this crisis. I can't believe that the majority of fisherman are not members. You spend a fortune on tackle, tickets and bait but won't spend a few quid towards safeguarding the very sport that you take part in. Strange!

https://anglingtrust.net/membership/

[Leo Martin]

2nd November
Angling Trust staff have been working hard over the weekend to ensure that angling in England can continue during the forthcoming lockdown. Unlike golf and tennis the government have not asked fisheries to close and their announcement and guidance makes clear that outdoor recreation at 'parks and gardens' and at 'beaches and in the 'countryside' is to be deemed a legitimate reason for leaving home from November 5th. The travel guidance was updated yesterday and it seems that short journeys from home for these purposes are to be permitted. There are a number of other issues on which we are seeking clarification and a copy of our letter to the Secretary of State at DCMS can be downloaded below for those wanting to see more. We are hearing that the final regulations will not now be published until Wednesday but we will update everybody the moment we know more. We remain confident that we will still be fishing from Thursday so please be patient!

For details of current angling/Covid regulations in Wales please visit our Fishing In Wales website

[Leo Martin]

4th November Angling trust update

04 November 2020
Fish safely, locally and respect the 'rule of two' during lockdown

Having now examined the government's new Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations the Angling Trust is pleased to be able to offer some initial guidance and interpretation to anglers and fishery providers. Our formal guidelines will be published following further consultation with colleagues at Sport England and DCMS once Parliament has debated the regulations today and passed them into law.

Overall the Angling Trust is pleased that ministers have recognised the value of allowing angling and some other forms of outdoor recreation to continue through the forthcoming lockdown period. However, the new rules are more complicated than we had hoped and anglers should be fully aware of what we can and can't do in the next 28 days.

How to Fish

The regulations are clear and you can only leave home to fish with members of your own household, your support bubble or with one other individual. The Rule of Six is now effectively the Rule of Two for most of us. The tightening of the rules on 'gatherings' means that match fishing or any other organised fishing event is prohibited by law during lockdown. However, competitive fishing will be able to resume once there is a return to the three tier system of restrictions.

On this basis we can announce that all Angling Trust competitions are suspended for the period covering 5th November – 2nd December 2020.

Where to Fish

Angling is deemed a permissible form of 'outdoor recreation', and a lawful reason to leave home. It can take place, without time limits, within the provision allowing people  "to visit a public outdoor space for the purposes of open air recreation".

A 'public outdoor space' is defined as an 'outdoor place to which the public have, or are permitted, access (whether on payment or otherwise).' We believe this clearly includes riverbanks, towpaths, beaches and stillwaters that can either be accessed freely or on the payment of a day ticket or subscription levied by the owner or leased to a publicly available fishing association. The government clearly intends for people to be able to take their outdoor exercise and recreation in the form of angling and these regulations allow this to occur.

Fisheries are not on the published list of businesses that the government has ordered to close and there is no reason that they should do so providing that they operate in accordance with the rules

It does not permit club outings or organised amateur sporting activities of any sort. All indoor or social facilities in any way connected with a fishing venue must close or refer to the relevant Government guidance. Fishing tackle shops, whether onsite or not, can only operate a 'click and collect' service.

Travelling to fish

Whilst the government have chosen not to write their travel guidance into law we are urging anglers to respect the advice which states that it is permissible to travel in order to:

"to spend time or exercise outdoors – this should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)"

Put simply, you can travel to go fishing but long journeys should be avoided 'wherever possible'. Sea anglers should focus on their local beaches and fishing marks and freshwater anglers should not be travelling hundreds of miles in search of fishing during lockdown. It is up to the individual to apply common sense and act within the spirit of the government's guidance. You absolutely cannot leave home to fish if you have Coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating.

How long to fish

There are no limits on the time that can be spent on outdoor recreation which means that anglers are able to continue fishing into and through the hours of darkness providing the other rules are observed.

Fishery Management

Essential fishery management work, which clearly cannot be undertaken from home, can continue as can any necessary, socially distanced working parties fall within the provisions for 'voluntary work'. Appropriate risk assessments must be in place and numbers should sensibly managed.

Summary

This is going to be an extremely difficult period for everybody and as anglers we must recognise that we are fortunate that our chosen form of recreation can continue even though there are restrictions on what we can do. The Angling Trust made the case for fishing based on the health and wellbeing benefits that angling offers coupled with the importance of reducing pressure on other open spaces by allowing us to continue to safely enjoy the social isolation and peace that fishing brings. It is incumbent on us all to continue to act responsibly and to fish safely, fish locally and respect the Rule of Two.

WHAT OUR CEO SAYS
"We are obviously pleased that fishing can continue during lockdown even with the restrictions that are in place which have to temporally suspended match fishing. Angling has conducted itself safely and responsibly throughout this pandemic and the Angling Trust is determined to ensure that our chosen form of outdoor recreation remains part of the solution rather than the problem. To do this anglers must continue to fish safely, locally and responsibly. " Jamie Cook, Angling Trust CEO

[Leo Martin]

Covid 19 guidance off Anglers trust from December 23rd .

Tier 4 Update
New Covid Guidance for Tier 4 was issued on 19th December 2020, following the
Prime Minister's announcement, and the regulations were published the
following day. We have taken advice and can provide these formal Angling Trust
guidelines for the benefit of anglers, angling clubs and fisheries who now find
themselves in a Tier 4 area or who have fisheries in multiple tiers. All national
governing bodies are tasked by Sport England with this responsibility.
In drawing up these guidelines we have examined carefully what is specified in the
regulations and what remains as government advice. However, we urge all anglers to act
within the spirit of the collective battle against this dreadful Coronavirus which is having
such a devastating impact on our lives, our economy and our NHS. We are fortunate that
even under Tier 4 restrictions angling remains a permitted activity. It is important that as
anglers we continue to practice our sport safely and responsibly and maintain social
distancing at all times.
The Tier 4 regulations are broadly similar to the 2nd national lockdown in that it is an
offence to leave home without a 'reasonable excuse'. Among the 16 categories set out is
the provision for 'Exercise and Recreation'. More specifically 'outdoor recreation' in parks,
countryside and outdoor public spaces with one other person, not in your household or
support bubble. It is under this provision that angling remains a permissible activity and a
'reasonable excuse' to be outside of your home. Once again no time limits have been
placed on how long you can fish for although you should return home at the end of your
trip.
As in the national lockdown, the Government have banned virtually all grass roots sporting
competitions in Tier 4 areas. So unfortunately, and regardless of the ability to run angling
competitions with no form of 'gathering', the new regulations mean that any form of
competition including more than two people from different households is prohibited.
The Government have made clear in their guidance, rather than in regulation, that they do
not wish to see travel into or out of Tier 4 areas and we encourage anglers to respect this,
notwithstanding the obvious anomalies where a County boundary might divide a fishery or
separate a club carpark from the water it serves.
The guidance states that you can leave home for the purpose of: "spending time or
exercising outdoors. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a
short distance within your Tier 4 area to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open
space)". We want anglers to continue to enjoy their fishing safely but please do so as locally
as possible whatever tier you are living in.
Full Government Guidance here
Please be aware that the new Tier 4 regulations give a specific power to police constables
and police support officers (PCSOs), where they 'consider that a person is outside the place
where they are living' in contravention of the restriction on movement, to 'direct that
person to return to the place where they are living'. So even if commonsense dictates that
visiting your local fishery situated just outside your Tier 4 area is more sensible than driving
a further distance in the opposite direction it is possible that a police officer may take a
different view. Failure to comply with a direction could make you liable for a fine.
IMPACTS ON ANGLING IN TIER 4
• Outdoor recreation remains a 'reasonable excuse' to leave your home so going
fishing locally with one other, outside of your household or support bubble, is
permissible.
• The regulations are a return to lockdown in Tier 4 meaning no sporting gatherings
including fishing matches.
• Travelling to fish should be local 'wherever possible' and entering or leaving a Tier 4
area is actively discouraged within government guidance.
• Tackle shops and other stores can still remain open to operate a click and collect
service.
• Outdoor facilities such as fisheries can remain open.
• No time limits have been placed on outdoor recreation so night fishing remains
permissible, as previously confirmed in writing by both DEFRA and DCMS.
• Voluntary or paid fishery management work, including bailiffing and maintenance
work, remain a legitimate reason to leave home.
• Charter boats can continue to operate in Tier 4 areas but with only one client.
• Angling coaching and guiding can continue to operate in Tier 4 areas but with only
one client.
• The police have powers of direction to order people in breach of the regulations: 'to
return to the place where they are living'.
The rules for Tiers 1, 2 & 3 remain in place and can be found here.
Details of Covid restrictions and how they affect angling in Wales can be found here

[Leo Martin]

Springvale update 31.12.2020 from Sue Bloom

With the latest government's announcement this evening we are now in a Tier 4 area, I have read through the rules on the Angling Trust webpage on the Tier 4 areas, and I am sorry to say we will not be able to hold match's untill further notice , we will be open daily for pleasure fishing only.
I will contact all match secretaries when we are allowed to resume with the match fishing again.
I wish everyone best wishes and all the best for the New Year.