Professional fishing net users have been told that the EU will review a controversial policy that currently restricts their catch quotas.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has been promised that the cod recovery plan will be scrutinised.

As part of the initiative, UK fishermen are only allowed to take to the sea for an allotted time and further stipulations state that they must land everything they catch.

This has proven hugely unpopular among fishing net users, as it often leads to a lot of fish being needlessly disposed of having been removed from the sea.

Defra was told of the review at the December Fisheries Council in Brussels this week and was also heartened to hear of proposed action being taken against Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

Minister for the natural environment and fisheries Richard Benyon remarked: "Iceland and the Faroe Islands' plans to plunder mackerel from the sea threaten the health of our fishing industry and the long-term future of these stocks."

This week, Defra has also released online maps that document the UK's reservoirs that are most at risk of flooding.
 

The Environment Agency has acted to ban two anglers who were discovered to be using prohibited fishing nets in Wales.

Both men were hit with a year-long ban and a fine, while the pair were also ordered to pay costs of £1,285.

An oversized net had been used to catch elvers from the River Parrett and by the time they were caught, the anglers had landed between £800 and £1,000 worth of the fish in just one hour.

In doing so, the Bridgwater pair were in breach of national fishing regulations and also local byelaws.

Flow fishing nets, such as the one in question, are illegal as they provide a distinct disadvantage to fishermen that use conventional methods.

Environment Agency spokesman Dearnley said: "Elvers at the time of the offence were £200 per kilogram so this offence was financially motivated. Both men would have gained financially."

Another incident on the same river has resulted in the organisation banning a 22-year-old man for two years, after he refused to allow inspectors to search his van for fishing nets.

Angling groups in Scotland have reacted angrily after the EU granted a salmon netting business £100,000.

Many fear that Montrose-based Usan Fisheries will disrupt salmon stocks in various Scottish rivers because it will use large nets to catch the fish before they leave the sea.

Owners of fishing rods fear that angling could become a thankless task as a result.

The company is expected to use the grant to develop the manufacturing of fishing nets and boats.

Chairman of the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards Alan Williams has claimed that the grant is a "slap in the face" to those who have campaigned for improvements in salmon levels across Scotland.

"It beggars belief that public money is being used to improve the effectiveness of a major mixed-stock salmon netting operation," he remarked.

However, bosses at the family-run firm have hit back at claims that Usan is responsible for poor salmon stocks, suggesting that anglers themselves are to blame.

Usan was founded in the 1960s and is one of the country's largest salmon fishing companies, which currently operates between Montrose and Arbroath.
 

A 40-year-old man is under investigation after environmental chiefs discovered sea trout and salmon at an address in Wales.

Fishing nets, snares and spear guns were also uncovered in the search on the Glyn Neath property as the Environment Agency secured a warrant to sift through the house.

Tests to decipher where the fish, which were thought to have been caught illegally, came from are ongoing.

Environment Agency Wales' environmental crime team leader Lyn Richards has urged anyone with information on poaching to contact the agency.

"Our officers on the ground carry out routine patrols and the reports we get from the public and other anglers are an integral part of our intelligence network," she remarked.

This is the latest case that the body has been forced to deal with, after a man was fined by magistrates in Norfolk last week for catching carp without holding a valid fishing rod licence.

Officers in Wales have also been busy of late as a man was caught poaching salmon on the River Sirhowy earlier this month.
 

A Scottish group has been honoured for its efforts in raising awareness of the importance of conservation among sea anglers and its attempts to protect endangered fish stocks.

The Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network (SSACN) received the Dreamstore Active Conservation Award, which hailed the organisation for its "fantastic levels of commitment" to ensuring sea fishing products users take care of their environment.

"As an independent charity, the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network has undertaken outstanding work in creating focus on conservation issues and the marine environment," said Dreamstore's David Hoey.

SSACN secretary David Kelly praised the work of the body's army of volunteer anglers and stated it will continue in its bid to protect marine habitats and promote good conduct among sea fishing enthusiasts.

In recent months, the debate over whether a sea fishing rod licence could be introduced has been rekindled, with fisherman John Yates expressing his support for the move in an interview with the Angling Times.

The financial implications of introducing and enforcing a sea angling licence would be "monstrous" and would provide little benefit to the angling community, according to fishing enthusiast Tony Burman.

Writing in the Grimsby Telegraph, Mr Burman noted that there have been some suggestions in recent weeks that the coalition government may introduce the scheme as part of ongoing efforts to bring sea angling under tighter control.

"It would be nearly impossible to police it and also, what benefits would the normal sea angler gain from it?" he asked. "I am wondering how long it will be before we are made to have a licence."

Mr Burman placed little hope in the efforts of the Angling Trust (AT) to defend the rights of anglers who use sea fishing products and said he would only support the measure if it brings tangible benefits to fishermen.

Last week, the AT revealed its marine committee chairman John Avery had gone sea angling with Natural England executive James Marsden and claimed the meeting had proved productive.

The Angling Trust (AT) has hailed recent discussions held with Natural England marine director James Marsden and expressed hopes that the talks will boost sea angling in the UK.

Last month, Mr Marsden spent six hours using sea angling products alongside journalist Bob Cox and AT marine committee chairman John Amery and all concerned agreed that the get-together proved particularly productive.

“It was high time to redress the balance of the many days I’ve spent with commercial fishermen,” Mr Marsden explained. “I now have a much better understanding of the issues, concerns and psyche of sea anglers.”

Mr Amery also declared the meeting a success and revealed he had taken the opportunity to make the case for sea fishing, raising concerns over the possible threat posed by the new marine conservation zones.

Last month, the AT called on the government to provide greater protection for marine angling and claimed 1.9 million people participated in the sport last year.

The Angling Trust (AT) has urged Britain’s coalition government to take swift action to guard the country’s marine fish stocks due to the recent increase in the popularity of sea angling.

According to Environment Agency figures, the number of people taking their fishing rods on to UK seas has risen rapidly over the last few years, with 1.9 million people taking part last year – a 26 per cent rise on 2003’s Drew Report figure.

"Sea angling continues to increase its contribution to the coastal economies of England and Wales at a rather faster pace than we had expected," said AT marine committee chairman John Amery. "We want the government to ensure sea angling is fairly represented."

He claimed that sea angling has been overlooked by successive Westminster administrations in favour of commercial fishing interests.

Earlier this month, the Angling Times reported that the Department for Fisheries and Rural Affairs is set to impose tough new restrictions on the movement of fish stocks.

Fisherman’s Blues and Tight Lines presenter Keith Arthur has told of how he landed a 188lb skate with his sea fishing rod during an angling session off the coast of western Ireland.

Writing for the Angling Times, the broadcaster revealed that the first day’s fishing near Westport produced little more than dogfish and thornback rays, but the second day proved far more productive and he caught the creature after a lengthy battle.

"When I took the rod from the holder, it honestly felt like I’d hooked an anchor rope. I could lift whatever was down there so far but after a few feet it just sank back down," he explained. "This game of give-and-take went on for exactly 27 minutes."

Mr Arthur added that he and his fellow sea-dogs had enjoyed "a jar or two" in a local pub to celebrate his catch.

Last month, Buckinghamshire angler Ambrose Smith caught a world record 99lb carp at a fishery near the French town of Dijon.

A new organisation created to oversee the management of Britain’s seas will be launched today (June 15th).

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) was established as part of the Marine and Coastal Access Act of last year and government minister Richard Benyon will attend the ceremony at Gateshead’s Baltic Centre, the Newcastle Journal has reported.

"We will be taking a rounded view of how we can build up, improve the monitoring of and have a better understanding of fish stocks and make the seas more productive," MMO chief executive Steve Gant told the newspaper.

Anglers with sea fishing rods may be interested to learn that the sport is included in the new body’s remit and Mr Gant explained that the MMO’s function is to "foster sustainable development" and ensure sea angling is managed responsibly.

Last week, the Natural England quango came under fire from legendary angler and broadcaster John Wilson, who commented to the Angling Times that a dedicated government department should be set up for fishing.