The Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NIFCA) district offers many recreational angling opportunities, from piers and harbours, estuaries and open sea to sandy shallow beaches and craggy outcrops. Within these areas there is a variety of fin fish species of interest to recreational sea anglers including cod, mackerel, whiting, saithe also known as coley and flounder. The recreational sea angling sector within the district brings social and economic benefits to individuals and the wider community in the form of angling competitions and clubs, both private and charter boats, and tackle shops.
Historically, the Sea Fisheries Committees that came before the IFCAs were under no obligation to assess or manage recreational fishing. Now, under the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009), NIFCA has a legislative duty to seek to ensure the sustainability of sea fisheries resources as well as balancing the social and economic benefits. The term “sea fisheries resources” means any plant or animal that live in the marine environment, excluding migratory fish and freshwater fish (including salmon and trout). Migratory and freshwater fish are managed by the Environment Agency.
Recreational sea angling is not monitored and regulated in the same way as the commercial fishing sector, and there is currently little data of stakeholder views, when and where angling occurs, or what is caught. NIFCA currently collects as much information as possible during routine patrols but there is still a lack of detailed knowledge surrounding the type, extent, and importance of sea angling in our district. NIFCA has created a Call for Information in an effort to build upon our existing knowledge and collect views from the recreational sea angling sector for ways that NIFCA can better engage and work with local anglers.
NIFCA wants to strengthen the relationship we have with recreational sea anglers and we have produced our Recreational Sea Angling Strategy to facilitate and develop positive engagement. The Strategy is designed as a working document that will evolve over time as more information is gathered, developing a dialogue with sea anglers and incorporating input and feedback we get from the sector.
RECREATIONAL SEA ANGLING STRATEGY
You can also view the National Angling Strategy 2019-2024 HERE
TO REPORT ILLEGAL RECREATIONAL SEA ANGLING ACTIVITY PLEASE CALL 01670 797676 OR EMAIL nifca@nifca.gov.uk