Angling

What is Angling?

Angling is the capture of fish for recreational purposes. It therefore may be distinguished from commercial fishing.

There are three popular types of angling: coarse, sea and game.


Background

Angling has long been a recreational pastime in the UK. In this country, it is regulated largely by a series of 'by-laws', the rules made by a local authority to regulate its own affairs. These generally specify regulations for certain species of fish, such as 'bag' limits, as well as specifying controls on angling methods.

Nationally, all anglers over the age of twelve must obtain 'rod licences' from the Environment Agency. Failure to do so can result in prosecution (with a maximum fine of £2,500).

Angling in many locations also requires specific permits, which are issued by individual angling organisations.


Controversies

The debate about angling generally revolves around a mixture of environmental and animal welfare issues.

On the environmental front, angling opponents argue that it creates a lot of litter, given the array of equipment involved. Although lead weights have largely been eradicated, discarded lines and plastic floats are particularly dangerous to waterfowl.

Critics also argue that recreational fishing may contribute to the depletion of some fish stocks, especially through 'sea' angling. However, increased regulation has reduced this problem, as has the promotion of a 'catch and return' policy by angling bodies.

There are also animal welfare concerns about angling methods and the impact of angling on the fish themselves. Some define angling as a 'blood sport' and emphasise the pain and suffering endured by the fish - although scientific opinion on this differs. Animal welfare campaigners also claim that physiological evidence shows that fish removed from water experience stress and lose some of their waterproofing - making them easier prey and more prone to infection.


Statistics

Next to walking and swimming, angling has the largest number of participants of any recreational activity - some three million people fish regularly

It is estimated that coarse and game anglers in England and Wales spend £3.3 billion per annum

Statistic 1: (Source: Sport England, 2003); Statistic 2: (Source: National Angling Survey 1994 - Fisheries Technical Report No.5)


Quotes

"All of the scientific evidence concerning such effects makes it clear that the term stress is certainly relevant to fish and that the means by which stress effects are mediated are very similar to those in mammals. Evidence that the term pain is applicable to fish comes from anatomical, physiological and behavioural studies whose results are very similar to those of studies on birds and mammals. The fact that fish are cold blooded does not prevent them from having a pain system and, indeed, such a system is valuable in preserving life and maximising the biological fitness of individuals."

Farm Animal Welfare Council Report on the Welfare of Farmed Fish, September 1996

"...we cannot oppose fishing as long as people eat fish since there is little practical difference between sports fishing and commercial fishing."

Elliot Morley MP, Labour's spokesperson for animal welfare, and latterly Environment Minister, 'Charter for Anglers' 1995