Angling Trust promises to deliver

Sea anglers are assured they are very much on the agenda.

The new voice of angling, the Angling Trust (AT) was officially launched on January 14th 2009 at the Fishmonger's Hall, London Bridge. The Trust was formed by the merger of six angling and conservation bodies to create a single, governing body that will have an increased representation and therefore increased influence at parliamentary level.

Prior to the merger, individual angling organisations were somewhat undergunned (although recognised) in their quest to fight for angler's rights within their specialised fields. It is hoped that this new body will advance the sport of angling at all levels.

The AT will be tackling many related angling issues, including conservation matters, support for angling club development and the promotion and education of angling in general, as well as creating a forceful opposition to anti-angling campaigns and lobbying against any unfair or ill-researched governmental policies that will affect the future of our sport.

There were initial concerns that the country's sea anglers would lose out on funds and representation due to the more powerful influence of the freshwater angling organisations, however the trust disputes this and assures that sea angling issues are very much on the agenda.

The six merging organisations were:

• Fisheries and Angler's Conservation Trust (FACT)
• Specialist Angler's Alliance (SAA)
• National Federation of Anglers (NFA)
• National Federation of Sea Anglers (NFSA)
• Angler's Conservation Association (ACA)
• National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives (NAFAC)

Other organisations will merge with the Trust during 2009 including the Angling Development Board.

If you want to find out more about about the Angling Trust or join their ranks with an individual membership (highly recommended) then pay their site a visit at www.anglingtrust.net