Landmark angling agreement brings free fishing to under 16s

20 July 2009

British Waterways Scotland and the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling (SFCA) signed a milestone agreement on Friday 10 July, which gives under 16s access to free fishing on the lowland canals across the central belt.

Adults joining the SFCA, as an individual member for £5, will also receive a free season ticket. The membership fees, in turn, will be reinvested into funding the Federation’s coach and coach assistant education programme, which will benefit the new lowlands canal initiative.

The new angling agreement for the Forth & Clyde, Union and Monkland canals is the first of its kind in Scotland, and confirms British Waterways Scotland’s commitment to angling and to stimulating community involvement and enjoyment of the canal network.

Under the new agreement, the SFCA will encourage existing members and beginners to register for membership and receive a free season ticket and permit.

Gus Brindle, chairman of the SFCA said: “The lowland canals represent a unique and valuable opportunity for Scots of all ages, particularly those living in inner city areas across the central belt, to gain access to, and become involved in, the sport of angling. Indeed, the Scottish canals will play a major part in our plans for increasing participation in angling over the next five years. This generous partnership offered by British Waterways provides us with the opportunity to implement a number of initiatives that will make a real difference to many Scots. Above all, it will allow us to achieve a long held aim of providing free fishing to under 16s and creating the opportunity and incentive for young Scots to try angling for the first time or participate on a more regular basis.

“In addition, the SFCA has the lead for both the Angling in Education and Junior Coaching priorities for action under the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework and I believe this lead position will assist us in driving this new project forward, and gaining local input and support over coming months.”

John Ellis, fisheries manager for British Waterways adds: “We are delighted to partner with the SFCA in this ground-breaking agreement. Not only does it promote the canals as an excellent place to fish and enjoy wildlife, it also provides us with the framework for promoting safety amongst those visiting and enjoying the waterways on a regular basis. The new agreement also underscores our ongoing work revitalising the canal network and bringing canals into the heart of the local communities through which they pass.”

The Angling Development Board of Scotland is currently identifying clusters of Angling Induction Centres and, moving forward, the SFCA aims to identify and establish a number of induction centres at key points along the lowland canal network. Here, anglers will be able to obtain tickets, information about angling on the canal, the environment and water safety and, in the longer term, access to coaching and equipment hire.

The SFCA also hopes to bring the SFCA Schools Programme and Get Hooked on Fishing Project to the canal network in the future.

Membership and further information on the new angling agreement between SFCA and
British Waterways can be found at www.sfca.co.uk.

Further information on the lowland canal network can be found at www.scottishcanals.co.uk.

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