Following a request from DEFRA on the Strategy for Recreational Sea Angling in England that is currently being drafted by DEFRA with support from a wide variety of stakeholders SACN, following consultation with the membership, have submitted a document containing many recommendations to DEFRA.

Principle is the need for any such strategy to address the need for access to more and bigger fish of the species of most interest to anglers.

The SACN document also makes clear that charging sea anglers towards the cost of management (licensing) should not be considered, at least until there is a demonstrable benefit for sea anglers from realigned management objectives that that provides access for anglers to better fishing.  

And that bag-limits for some species should only be considered as part of a necessary conservation package that addresses the need to reduce overall mortality on that species by all stakeholders in a proportionate way.

It is expected that DEFRA will issue a revised document for wider consideration by all stakeholders in the near future.