Hi, I work as the Regions Administrator for the Trust along side John Cheyne the National Regions Manager. I help promote and organise the 36 Fisheries Forums that take place right across the country that are designed to inform and update anglers, clubs, fisheries and angling organisations about the work of the Angling Trust, Environment…
Background The Angling Trust’s Building Bridges project was established in 2010 in response to a growing concern expressed by anglers in the UK about inappropriate and/or illegal fishing by anglers from other countries, notably in continental Europe. Part of the issue has been the different cultural background and regulations for anglers from countries such as…
A Long and Winding Road Paul Thomas the Angling Trust Regional Fisheries Enforcement Manager for the East of England, talks about his first few months in the job. As you all know, in August 2015 the EA awarded a landmark fisheries contract to the Angling Trust. This announcement followed a rigorous competitive process and forms…
It has been just over 6 months since my colleagues and I were appointed, and, I must admit, it’s been a very busy time for us all. My region includes all of the North East and all of the counties of Yorkshire. Time spent getting out and about across the region, meeting anglers, Environment Agency…
Well, where should I start? It’s been a long time since my last blog. Things are developing rapidly on all fronts and it is great to see more people coming aboard to help build the foundations necessary to protect fish and fisheries, and develop an environment where anglers work together to achieve the same aim.…
As you may know, we run around 34 “Fisheries Forum” meetings a year right round the country. Because these forums are supported by rod licence money they only cover freshwater issues but offer a chance for anglers and angling clubs to engage with the Trust, the Environment Agency and other key organisations about lots of different…
It with great pleasure that I write my first blog in my new role as Angling Trust REM (Regional Enforcement Manager) for the Midlands area, having enjoyed a positive response from many anglers across the region during my first few weeks. As you might already know, the appointment of six regional enforcement managers across England…
Well, here it is: 2016, a year that we have been awaiting for some time – because, at last, Phase 1 of the Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS) is being rolled out across England. As previously reported, the Fisheries Enforcement Support Service (FESS) was launched last November, staffed by highly experienced retired police officers with a…
It is, I’ve decided, a funny old world. Since the Iron Curtain came crashing down and former communist states joined the European Union, some people from those countries have decided to work temporarily or make their homes permanently in England – this free movement being provided for by legislation. No-one, of course, anticipated the effect…
As was reported in my previous blog, 1 November 2015 saw the new Fisheries Enforcement Support Service (FESS) launched as a result of the Angling Trust achieving the National Angling Services Contract to deliver a number of outcomes. This involves working in support of and in partnership with the Environment Agency (EA), so it is…
The types of organisations that can have a key influence on our fisheries and fish stocks are many and varied. Government bodies such as The Environment Agency, CEFAS and Natural England, 3rd sector organisations like Rivers Trusts and Wildlife Trusts and business organisations such as water companies and the farming sector all have a role…
For the past three years I’ve worked on establishing the Voluntary Bailiff Service in SE England, and equally importantly delivering what is now the Fisheries Enforcement Campaign: more appropriately locating fisheries related offences within the accepted policing frameworks of Rural, Wildlife, Business, Hate and Organised Crime. This is all about raising awareness: educating anglers regarding…
