FISHERIES ACCREDITATION SCHEME TAKES OFF

The welfare of coarse fish has received a huge boost with the announcement that the first group of awards have been made under the Fisheries Accreditation Scheme. This major new initiative is aimed at improving the management of recreational coarse fisheries, and it is set to raise the management standards of lakes and pools throughout the UK.

A total of 22 lakes have been assessed at five different sites. At each, trained, professional assessors inspected the water bodies and made their judgments over a range of total of 22 different accreditation criteria covering water quality, fish habitat, nutrition, stocking policies, fish health, protection from predators and angling rules. A water quality analysis was also made for each venue.

A total of 20 lakes were awarded ‘Gold’ and two ‘Silver’ status. The owners are now entitled to use the distinctive scheme logos at their fisheries and in publicity for a period of two years, after which they will be invited to apply for re-assessment. The successful fisheries are:-

ü  The Glebe, at Peckleton, near Leicester – 7 lakes

ü  Hackett’s Lakes, near Nottingham – 2 lakes

ü  Borwick Lakes, at Carnforth, near Lancaster – 9 lakes

ü  Angling Projects, near Wraysbury, Berkshire – 1 lake

ü  Angel of the North Lakes, near Gateshead, Tyne & Wear – 3 lakes

The scheme is a joint venture by the Institute of Fisheries Management, the Angling Foundation and the Professional Coarse Fisheries Association, supported by the Environment Agency. Fisheries are invited to become inspected by qualified IFM professional members using the Institute’s ‘codes of practice’ as a baseline for the standards that will be assessed. If successful, the fishery will be issued with a certificate at gold, silver or bronze level.

Interest in the Fisheries Accreditation Scheme has been high, and further assessments at other lakes will be taking place shortly. Full details and application forms are available from:-

Suraj Roopra, Fisheries Accreditation Scheme, Federation House, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warks, CV8 2RF. Tel: 02476 414999; Fax: 02476 414999; Email: suraj@sportsandplay.com; Website: www.fisheriesaccreditation.co.uk

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NOTES

1.     Further media inquiries should be directed to Bruno Broughton Tel: 01952 691515; email: bruno.broughton@virgin.net

2.     The Scheme partners are:-

Angling Foundation

The Foundation awards its accreditation to fishing net manufacturers and

wholesalers that meet its accreditation standards, issuing a licence to use its

distinctive water-lily logo on accredited products. Its funds are used to assist educational and conservation initiatives.

Institute for Fisheries Management

The IFM is the competent body for fisheries management which trains future

professionals through its Fisheries Management Diploma, validated by

the Open University. The Institute is also author of the ‘Codes of Practice

for the Management of Intensively Stocked Stillwater Fisheries’.

Professional Coarse Fisheries Association

The Association protects and promotes the interests of its member fisheries through political action, media campaigns and partnership with other bodies. It encourages best practice, the development of high quality, accessible facilities and the conservation of fish, wildlife and the water environment.

The Environment Agency

The Environment Agency is the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. It supports and helped develop the Fisheries Accreditation Scheme, and it has provided vital financial assistance to enable the

Scheme to commence.

3.  The active support and input of the national umbrella body for angling and fisheries, the Fisheries & Angling Conservation Trust (FACT), and the Fish Welfare Group were instrumental in the development and launch of the Fisheries Accreditation Scheme.