BASS have been campaigning for wider recognition of the value of recreational sea angling, particularly to coastal communities. Our view is that if the true economic value of sea angling were fully recognised, especially as a tourism generator, then our chances of achieving greater protection for bass would be made easier.
Devon County Council has recently published a discussion document entitled ‘Our Coast, Our Common Asset’. In it, the County Council sets out its plans for the future development and use of the coastal resource with particular reference to tourism and leisure. For the first time the value of sea angling has been mentioned and the County Council propose to consult on how best to manage the marine environment to benefit anglers.
The inclusion of sea angling within the draft is a result of our attendance at a series of workshops and seminars run by DCC and a great deal of letter writing by BASS Restoration team member Frank Beaugendre.
So, how can you help?
Having succeeded in getting sea angling on the agenda we would like as many local anglers and businesses to respond to the draft report.
As an angler you can do a number of things to assist:
- Write to Aiden Winder of Devon County Council, at the address given below, and tell them that you agree with their proposals to develop pro-angling policies.
- Share this information with your local tackle supplier, charter skippers, hotels, pubs, B&Bs, in fact anyone who runs a business and could benefit from additional trade from sea anglers. If you get a positive response from your approaches to local businesses please let Steve Pitts have the details.
- Supply Steve Pitts (BASS Restoration Project Chairman) with names and addresses of such businesses. Yellow pages, Thompson directory, tourism guides and brochures are a good source of info. Just half a dozen names would do and send them to me the above address. We will then contact them.
- Write to Devon Council and tell them if you used to spend your holidays fishing in Devon and you now spend your money elsewhere.
Copies of the consultation draft are available from Aiden Winder at: Lucombe House, County Hall,Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 4QW