Latest from the Angling Trust regarding fishing

Hello Each,

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Following you will find an announcement from the Angling Trust regarding fishing. Please read this through and note that all Government Rules must be adhered to or we will loose the right to fish! Now what does this mean for us the Members?

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*The gate security lock will be released  from 08:00 STARTING SATURDAY 9TH JANUARY, and then daily. There is NO NIGHT FISHING as per the Government Rules and you should leave our Complex by 17:00 each day, when the security lock will be re applied. Any One disobeying this Rule will be subject to a disciplinary.
We hope that the no night fishing rule will be relaxed further down the line and we will keep you informed.

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Hello everyone,

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The Government have now formally responded to the representations made by the Angling Trust. We have promoted the huge benefits of fishing on individual health and wellbeing and have been able to present a case to which the Government have listened. On this basis I am pleased to announce that fishing will be permitted during the third national lockdown.

The Head of Sports Participation at DCMS confirmed the following;

“fishing is allowed as exercise so long as participants adhere to the rules on staying local, gathering limits, social distancing and limiting the time spent outdoors”

This has also been confirmed by DEFRA;

“Cabinet Office have now officially confirmed that angling / fishing (incl. sea fishing off private boats, water sports) can be considered exercise and are hence permitted.”

We have worked extremely hard to reach this position and we as anglers have a duty to abide by the strict conditions under which fishing is once again permitted. With infection rates and death tolls rising we must stick to the Government’s rules and ensure that angling remains part of the solution and does not cause problems.

Please bear in mind these key points which will be reflected in the new Angling Trust guidelines which we will publish shortly:

This is a strictly limited resumption of LOCAL fishing and very different to how we have been allowed to operate since May
We are in a National Lockdown and this must be respected. The law requires a ‘reasonable excuse’ to leave your home or penalties will apply.
The government has recognised that fishing can be seen as exercise, which is expressly permitted under the lockdown rules, although outdoor recreation is not.
Organised sporting gatherings are prohibited so no match fishing.
The exercise is limited to once a day so no overnight fishing whatsoever.
To remain within the law you should follow the government’s guidance, and only fish locally within the district where you live. If you have no local fishing available then you will have to take your daily exercise in other ways.

We are once again able to enjoy the sport we love at a time when many others can not and we must ensure that every angler adheres to the rules.

I would ask all anglers who are not members to join the Angling Trust and give us your support. We have worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome and that is only possible thanks to the support of our new and existing members. I would ask all anglers who value their ability to go fishing to make the same commitment as your fellow anglers have and join the Angling Trust. We are stronger together!

Membership - Angling Trust https://anglingtrust.net/membership/

Stay safe and very best fishes

Jamie Cook
CEO – Angling Trust

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Please follow all Government and Club Rules.  Take Great Care of yourself and your family and friends.