The UK Environment Agency is conducting consultations on new bylaws affecting commercial eel fishing, game fishing, and removal of fish from waters by rod and line angling. Please consider sending in your views, either online, or by printing off the PDF and posting it to them. This is our opportunity to have a say in laws that will affect fish and fishing.

The consultation on commercial eel fishing ends on 7/7.
The one on rod and line fish removal ends on 14/7.
The one on game fish ends on 14/7.

Here are links to the EA consultations:

Eel and elver net fishing byelaws

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/consultations/108465.aspx

Eel stocks are at dangerously low levels, prompting a Europe-wide recovery plan. We want to hear your views on proposed new byelaws to regulate eel and elver net fishing.
Responses due by 07 September 2009


Proposed byelaws to regulate fish removal by rod and line

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/consultations/108764.aspx

The law that governs fish removal, particularly of coarse fish, is unclear and limited. We want to hear your views on proposed new byelaws to regulate what fish can be removed under what circumstances.
Responses due by 14 September 2009

The Irish have closed down commercial eel fishing until 2012, though they have a huge commercial eel industry at Lough Neagh
http://www.cfb.ie/fishing_net/eels.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4000527.stm
Perhaps we could suggest to the EA that they do likewise.

I also suggested that they legalise catch and release babbing for eels as it doesn't harm the eel since no hook is used. And that elvers fished for restocking purposes should be used to restock waters within the eel's natural range and not exported for fish farming in Japan or Australia etc.


Proposed byelaws to remove the close season for brown trout and salmon in stillwaters
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/consultations/108768.aspx
Stocked brown trout and salmon in stillwater fisheries do not need to be protected by a close season. We propose two options to remove the close season where it is unnecessary and does not compromise native wild trout stocks.
Responses due by 14 September 2009