The National Trust recognises that the management of fishing can benefit the environment. Fishing also provides a source of income on some properties. However there are also damaging impacts associated with fishing. The National Trust report 'The Management of Freshwater Fisheries' (1999) addresses these impacts (see References).

Fishing is generally well controlled by the Trust, principally by agreements with local fishing clubs and syndicates. There is scope for the promotion of good practice to prevent damage to the environment and to benefit fisheries.

Guiding principles

1. Fishing, for both game and coarse species, is welcomed by the National Trust where it already takes place, subject to its prime objectives, namely conservation of the landscape, nature conservation and the historic value of the property.

2. Where fishing does not already take place, it should only be permitted after a strategic assessment of its likely impacts and the preparation of a fishery management plan.

3. All fisheries should be evaluated and a fisheries management plan prepared.

4. The National Trust advocates the concept of sustainable fishery management. Its goal is the development of fish communities which are appropriate to individual water bodies and can sustain themselves sufficiently to maintain the fishery without artificial stocking.

5. Sporting rights on waters owned by the National Trust should be acquired wherever possible.

Good practice
For all aspects of fishery management refer to the National Trust's report 'The Management of Freshwater Fisheries' (1999).

Anglers on National Trust waters are expected to abide by angling organisations' codes of conduct (see References).

Fishing leases should reflect the management objectives of the fishery and be reviewed regularly.

Recreational fishing should not be expected to be the only source of funds for management work on water bodies.

Encourage fishing practices which seek to lessen the likelihood of suffering among fish, eg the use of barbless hooks for pike fishing appear to benefit fish survival, the use of keep nets should be discouraged in hot weather.

Although there is no scientific reason to observe close seasons for coarse fisheries, it is recommended that the National Trust does observe them. This practice allows a disturbance free period for vegetation, fish, birds and other wildlife. The minimum period for bank fishing is 15 March-15 June; in most cases it should be longer than this.

Provisions should be made in letting arrangements for the purchase of day tickets.

Where there is no public access to National Trust fisheries, reasons should be clearly stated.

Ensure litter is cleared. Anglers should be responsible for removing litter at their own swim regardless of who discarded it. Consider an angling ban on persistent offenders.

Provide education and information on good fishing practice and the natural form, function and wildlife of the water body.

There should be a strong presumption against the use of live bait.

Specialist advice should be sought if the use of bait is suspected of causing water quality problems.

Monitoring suggestions
As far as practicable ensure fishermen maintain written records of all fishing effort, fish taken and their weights. Obtain Environment Agency data on fish, invertebrates and water chemistry to increase knowledge of freshwater ecology, trends, etc.

Trends
Participation is understood to be stable. A national angling survey undertaken by the National Rivers Authority (NRA) in 1994 estimated that there were 3.3 million freshwater and sea anglers aged 12 years and over in the UK.

Possible impacts
Fishing can be a positive pressure for good water quality, fish stocks and fish health.

Fishing provides some income on most properties.

Small-scale habitat enhancement for fishing can lead to wider environmental benefits.

Fishery management to facilitate angling may have detrimental impacts on the broader ecology of a water body, eg damage and disturbance to water channels, bankside vegetation, water pollution from overstocking or disturbance of waterbirds.

Conflict with other recreational activities, eg canoeing and walking, cycling or riding along river banks

Contacts and liaison

Salmon and Trout Association
Fishmongers Hall, London Bridge, London EC4T 9EL
Tel: 020 7283 5838

The Association represents game anglers and their interests in Parliament and at regional and local levels. It cooperates with all angling interests in developing the sport and promotes conservation measures. The Association has some 300 clubs and a further 15,000 individual members throughout Britain.

National Federation of Anglers
Halliday House, Eggington Junction, Derbyshire DE65 6GU
Tel: 01283 734735

The Federation is the governing body of coarse fishing. It represents 415 affiliated clubs in Britain.

National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives
30 Ainsdale Way, Goldsworth Park, Woking, Surrey GU21 3PP
Tel: 01483 769736

Wild Trout Society
92-104 Carnwath Road, London SW6 3HW

The Society's objectives include raising the profile of the wild trout, producing trout habitat management guidelines, identifying individual fisheries for rehabilitation and management projects and providing a unified voice for wild trout anglers.

Institute of Fisheries Management
Tyn-y-Wern, Dolanog, Welshpool, Powys SY21 0NA Tel: 01938 810740
Fax: 01938 811115
Email: mike@mbeech.freeserve.co.uk

Ulster Angling Federation
6 Beech Green, Doagh, Ballyclare BT6 0BB
Tel: 028 9045 4462

Welsh Anglers Council
Belmullet, Rhayader, Powys LD6 5BY
Tel: 01597 810368

Environment Agency
Rivers House, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol BS12 4UD
Tel: 01454 624400

Legislation, codes and agreements
In common law, fish in private waters or in non-tidal rivers or streams can be taken only by, or with the consent of, the owner/holder of fishing rights. The Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 contains detailed rules about such matters as close seasons and the taking of immature fish. Certain methods of fishing are also proscribed.

The 1975 Act requires a fishing licence to be obtained for all freshwater fish on any inland water. Licences are issued by the Environment Agency which also fixes licence duties for particular areas. A licence does not alone confer a right to fish. The angler must also have the permission of the landowner or person holding the fishing rights.

Fishing legislation is subject to a national review.

References

Lewis, V. (1999). The Management of Freshwater Fisheries. Report to the National Trust, Cirencester.

Environment Agency. Freshwater Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation: A Good Practice Guide.

Medway, Lord. (1980). Report of the Panel of Enquiry into Shooting and Angling (1976-1979). Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Horsham, Sussex.

National Rivers Authority (1995). National Angling Survey 1994 (Fisheries Technical Report 5). HMSO, London.

Salmon and Trout Association. The Game Angling Code.

Specialist Anglers Conservation Group. Code of Conduct for Specialist Coarse Anglers. Col. T Marks, The Stables, High Street, South Cerney, Gloucestershire, GL7 5UP.

Sports Council (1991). Angling - An Independant Review of the Sport of Angling. Commissioned by the Sports Council and the National Anglers' Council. The Sports Council, London.

Sports Council (undated). Angling and Canoeing Statement of Intent. Statement published by Canoe Access and Development Committee convened by the National Anglers' Council. The Sports Council, London.

Wild Trout Society. Guidelines for the Management of Wild Trout Waters.