01 February 2009
Four millions anglers have united to fight EU rules that will impose quotas on recreational fishermen limiting the number of fish they may catch.
The newly formed Angling Trust will represent more people than the membership of all the main political parties combined, the Anglican church and the National Trust.
The lobby group has been set up to fight for one of the UK's most popular sports by protecting the environment and ancient fishing rights.
Its most immediate fight is against EU proposals for recreational fishermen to register their boat as a fishing vessel and record their catch as part of the UK's annual quota for certain species.
The new body will replace current organisations representing sea, coarse and game fishing and has already gained the support of many celebrity anglers including broadcaster Jeremy Paxman.
The agenda includes controlling sand and gravel extraction from rivers and the seabed, preventing pollution and campaigning to stop farmed fish being allowed to escape into the wild.
It will also press for increased funding to get young people interested in fishing as a way of controlling anti-social behaviour.
Mark Lloyd, head of the new body, said it was needed because the pastime was represented by fragmented groups when what was needed was one powerful voice.
Mr Lloyd said the trust has already had meetings with the fishing minister to discuss the matter.
He said: "This is a barmy proposal that does not take into account the UK's specific circumstances. In Europe there are a lot of anglers fishing commercially but in the UK we do it for fun. It is a rule that is being brought in because it is appropriate for the Continent but it's not appropriate for the UK."