EVENT REPORT - Biodiversity protection and restoration: The contribution of the recreational fisheries sector

Four speakers took the floor to present the various positive impacts that the recreational fishing sector can have on the environment. Ross Honey and Olivier Portrat presented current developments in the design of fishing equipment, with the aim of minimising pollution and the negative effects of fishing tackle on the environment. In addition, fishing tackle manufacturers and wholesalers frequently organise projects to raise awareness of nature conservation among individuals, as do anglers clubs.

Kaare Manniche Ebert and Rune Hylby also presented angling clubs' projects to restore aquatic environments, such as riverbanks cleaning or active restoration measures. The Gravel Gang project, led by Rune Hylby, for example, consists of reintroducing stones into the waterways to allow fish to protect themselves and reproduce.

Finally, Professor Robert Britton, a fisheries biologist, presented the benefits that anglers can bring to the monitoring and tagging of fish species. Anglers are indeed indispensable sources of the scientific research that is so necessary for the preservation of biodiversity.

Find the event report HERE

Some highlights:

“We, the EU Anglers will have a big role to play in contributing to this Nature Restoration policy” – MEP Niclas Herbst

“Rules, obligations, and large-scale actions are needed now at EU level for EU maritime environment and freshwater ecosystems.” – MEP Soraya Rodriguez Ramos

“When we talk about biodiversity, anglers did not create the problems, anglers are not part of the problems, and I believe that anglers are on the contrary part of the solution.” – Kaare Manniche Ebert (EAA).

“Anglers want to have healthy habitats for healthy fish stock” – Olivier Portrat (EFTTA)