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07/02/2009

YAP at Environment Agency Workshop - Click to expand


YAP at Environment Agency Workshop




Members of the Young anglers Project
attended a workshop run by the Environment Agency at Tewkesbury on
7th February. The focus was on the river Severn
catchment with emphasis on the lower region.

A range of presentations were given and
topics discussed, including

An update on the Salmon and Sea Trout
Action plan with examples of the work done and of that still to do.
It was also noted that consideration is also now being given to the
other marine to freshwater migratory species eels and shad. Emphasis
was on environment methods of encouraging increased stocks rather
than restocking which can lead to reduction in the genetic pool and
cloned 'Friesian cow' fish.

The work of the newly formed Severn
River Trust was outlined with the more well established Wye and Usk
Foundation seen as a model. It is hoped to introduce a Fish Sabrena
initiative similar to the successful river passport scheme in the Wye
catchment.

Access was discussed. The British
Disabled Anglers Association are heading up an accessibility
certification scheme with bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels of
compliance. Examples of good and bad accessibility and fishing
platforms were shown. Accessibility for all and the need to be aware
of the environmental impact of the measures were highlighted.An accessibility workshop is to be held
in April together with individual fishery inspections. YAP is to
participate in both these initiatives.

Keith Urch (Project Manager) and Rob
England (Chief Coach) from the Young Anglers Project gave a  well
received outline of our work. They outlined some of the groups of
young people we deal with and the differences it has made to the
individuals, groups and society.

The Environment Agency outlined some
the fishery projects it is involved with and the funding available
for future projects through the Fish for The Future Challenge
Funding.

The day finished with discussion groups. Topics discussed included the need for an
improvement in the coaching schemes. It was hoped that the new
Angling Trust would improve and build on the existing scheme with the
links to Sport England. The need to offer follow coaching to
people attending coaching at events such as The Three Counties Show.

The provision of more balancing ponds
as a harbour for fry to encourage increased survival rates and the
importance of anglers and clubs in identifying suitable sites.

In all a very successful and
informative day.

12/01/2009

Launch of Angling Trust


12.01.09  Launch of Angling Trust


The merger of six angling and conservation bodies creating the
Angling Trust, the new voice of angling, was completed to plan on
Monday, January 5 2009.

“It is an organisation angling has
needed for many years,” said Stephen Marsh-Smith, the first
chairman of the Trust. “It represents more than a million regular
coarse, game and sea anglers in England. Angling contributes £3.5
billion to the economy and supports 37,000 jobs.”

Embodying
all the assets and staff of the legacy organisations, the trust will
be publicly launched at 10 am next Wednesday, January 14 at the
Fishmongers’ Hall, London Bridge.

Among the guests will be
Martin Salter MP, the government’s spokesman for angling and
shooting.

Dr. Marsh-Smith said nearly 2,500 individual anglers
and clubs had already signed-up to the trust which would “run a
forthright campaign to conserve marine and freshwater fisheries,
promote and protect all recreational angling against commercial
overfishing, habitat destruction, poaching and disease.

“We
also plan to develop coaching and education for new and experienced
anglers, increase participation in national and international
competitions and tackle the growing problem of the predators which
attack our fisheries.

“It is an ambitious programme but we
believe anglers will support us and we are encouraged by the
supportive messages we have already received,” Dr. Marsh-Smith
added.

Individual membership is £20 a year which
includes public liability insurance, newsletters and magazines.
Members will be enrolled in Fish for Free (www.fishforfree.net) an
innovative loyalty programme which generates credits for fishing
equipment, permits and the freshwater rod licence. Clubs will be able
to join Fish Legal which provides advice and takes action against
polluters.

Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the Angling Trust
said: “Now that we have a single body for all anglers with a
comprehensive benefits, we look forward to their support and to
working for and with them. We will only be able to do that if we have
the mandate and the resources to do so.”


The Angling Trust’s web site www.anglingtrust.net is now live
and will be continually developed. Anglers can sign up on-line, by
telephone or by post.


 

13/01/2009

More Coaches For YAP - Click to expand More Coaches Train For YAP

On
the weekend of 10th and 11th January eight more volunteers from the
Young Anglers Project undertook the new Angling Development Board Level
1 coarse in Angling. They were joined by a further six anglers from as
far afield as Berwick -on-Tweed on the Scottish Border and Paignton in
Devon. The event was hosted by YAP and held at the Circle Club in
Newent.
The tutors were the Wife and Husband team of Jo and Phil
Hyde of Devon. Both Jo and Phil have travelled extensively, coaching
angling world wide, they are also involved in the English National sea
fishing team.

With the increased demands for our services these
new coaches should ease the pressure on the existing Level 2 coaches
and help in the expansions of our services.

17/01/2009

Yellow Submarine Docks At YAP - Click to expand YAP Takes Delivery of The Yellow Submarine

Yap has taken delivery of a bright yellow caravan to use in its coaching activities. Already dubbed 'The Yellow Submarine' the caravan will stay firmly on dry land and be of great use in coaching events. It was kindly donated by a group of churches based in and around Newent and was previously used as a drop in centre for young people in the town.
The intention is to use the caravan as an eye catching focal point at events and as a base and shelter during outside coaching sessions.
Look out for the Yellow Sub during 2009