Press Releases
The following are key references to the progress of Angling Unity
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February 19 2008
Sea anglers look at a merger
Organisations promoting sea and freshwater angling in Britain are considering a merger to increase their influence on government, expand the two sports and eliminate administrative duplication.
The lead body for English sea angling, the National Federation of Sea Anglers (NFSA), will shortly sign a letter of intent to participate in the early stages of the plan (with the working title of Angling Unity) following a unanimous vote in favour of doing so by its board and regional representatives at the weekend (February 16).
Richard Ferré, chairman of the NFSA, said the letter of intent would be non- binding indicating only a desire for Angling Unity to succeed.
“Becoming a full member (there are none yet) would be a significant move and our membership would be fully consulted. Such a step would only be taken if there was overwhelming approval for it at an annual general meeting.”
The letter, however, does enable sea angling to participate fully in the process of finalising how a new joint body might function. It is anticipated it would not be ready to begin operating before 2009.
“Meanwhile it is business as usual” Mr. Ferré said. “Our activities continue unchanged and we ask our members to continue to support us.”
The expectation was that Angling Unity would ultimately be a strong, well funded professional organisation with a powerful voice for British angling interests in European negotiations and at national and local level in the UK, and offer a wide range of improved membership benefits.
“We would retain our dedicated focus on sea angling, including the vital dialogue with the government over saving coastal fishstocks, organising England’s international and national championship teams this year and in the future, and our existing development, education and training programmes,” Mr. Ferré said.
The project was started by the Fisheries and Conservation Trust (FACT) an umbrella organisation of which the NFSA was a founding member in 2004.
The freshwater fishing organisations involved in the Unity plan are the Angling Conservation Association (ACA), the National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives (NAFAC), the National Federation of Anglers (NFA) and the Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA).
It is anticipated that other specialist angling groups would be eligible to join the new body.
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Monday, 26 November 2007
Major Development in Angling Unity
Leading angling bodies have agreed in principle to establish a powerful new body to represent all anglers.
The boards of the Anglers’ Conservation Association, National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives, National Federation of Anglers, and Salmon and Trout Association have agreed to their Chairmen signing a letter of intent committing them to the development of the new body. The full membership of each organisation will be consulted before final agreement. The National Federation of Sea Anglers has been fully involved and will formally consider joining next Spring. Other fisheries organisations will also be welcome.
The new body will build on the benefits the four organisations already deliver to their members and become a unified, powerful voice to protect fisheries, the sport they offer, and the environment on which they depend.
The development has been led by FACT, the Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust, which already acts as an umbrella body for angling. FACT Chairman Jim Glasspool said:
“This is a major step forward towards a unified organisation which will be able to provide an improved range of services to millions of anglers and be an effective voice for them. Much remains to be done but there is an enthusiasm and commitment from everyone to achieve that goal.”