Association of IFCAs Launches New Film ‘Conserve’ on World Oceans Day

To mark World Oceans Day on June 8th, the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (AIFCA) is proud to launch its latest film, Conserve, showcasing how IFCAs work to protect sensitive species and habitats in England’s inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), while ensuring sustainable fisheries can thrive.

The film explores the role of IFCAs in managing fishing activity within inshore MPAs, ensuring that the conservation objectives of these important sites are achieved while enabling sustainable use of these areas.

Conserve highlights the principles that underpin the IFCAs’ approach to MPA management:

  • Using high-resolution scientific data alongside local knowledge and lived experience
  • Working collaboratively with stakeholders to develop effective management measures
  • Ensuring management decisions are focused on meeting the conservation needs of each MPA
  • Adapting approaches in response to changing environmental conditions and emerging evidence

The film demonstrates how effective management of MPAs can support both thriving marine ecosystems and sustainable fisheries.

Produced by Mindfully Wired, Conserve follows the successful release of the Association’s previous films, Lead, Champion and Protect. Together, the four films provide an insight into the work of IFCA officers and members who are dedicated to protecting our coastline and fisheries.

As we celebrate World Oceans Day, Conserve highlights the important role Marine Protected Areas play in safeguarding healthy seas for future generations.

 

SEA ANGLING – RESULTS

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Bideford Angling Clubs monthly sea rover was won by Paul Ackland with a fine specimen smoothound of 14lb 10oz. Robert Hancock was second and third with  hounds of 13lb 3.5oz and 11lb 6.5oz. Stephen Found was fourth with a smoothound of 8lb 12oz.

Andrew Atkinson took first place in Appledore Shipbuilders June rover with a specimen smoothound of 12lb 1oz. Michael Hammett was second and third with a smoothound of 11lb 10.75oz and a bull huss of 8lb 14ozs.

Combe Martin SAC host their annual Putsborough Beach Open Match this Saturday with fishing commencing at 9:30pm and ending at 1:30pm. Booking in is from 8:00pm at the venues car park. The event is generously sponsored by Sakuma Tackle with the club providing a cash first prize of £100 with a runner up prize of £50.

Bideford & District Angling Club – Junior Competition

Bideford and District Angling Club.

Junior competition No.1.
Results:
1st Max Chappel. 9kilo 200 grams
2nd Lydia Maurice. 5 360
3rd Harrison Maurice 5 065
4th Tyler McKeowen 4 445
4th Xavier French 4 445
6th Jenson Kiff. 4 150
7th Alfie Scorer. 3 330
8th Harry Watkins 3 320
9th Sebastian French 2 485
10th Seb New 2 165
11th Amber Chappel 1 850
12th Jack Scorer 1 165
13th Jack Chappel 880
14th Oakin Tuffnell 815
15th Logan Williams 640
15th Olie Mckeowen 640
17th Miro Tuffnell 510.
Our first junior competition of the 5 match summer series attracted 17 youngsters.
The weather forecast , wet and blustery , kept a few away.
They missed a great match !
Everyone caught and the winner Max landed over nine kilos of quality fish on peg 8.
Lydia and Harrison, brother and sister, had a next platform battle for second and third places on pegs 2 and 3. The fairer sex came out the victor
Lydia’s catch of carp just beat her brother’s net of bream.
Xavier and and Tyler shared fourth place on pegs 5 and 14.
Huge thank you to all our helpers today,
Special thanks to Martin Cox baits for his very generous sponsorship, also to all those who have donated prizes.

Fluff Chuckers / SWLT Brown Trout Masters Round 3 Fernworthy…

Report from Rodney Wevill

What a day high up on Dartmoor for Round 3 of the Brown Trout Masters.
We faced 8 hours of heavy rain and 45 mph plus winds.
But that wasn’t going to dampen the spirits much and with 30 Browns to the nets.
Andrew Gooding was the winner with 9 fish with Andrew Watson runner up with 5 fish beating Rodney Wevill 6 fish by 2cm in overall length.
Steve Retallack won the largest fish with an excellent 43cm specimen.
A special thanks to John Deprieelle for filming today in such testing conditions, look out for the Round 3 video in the next week or so.
And also special thanks to the event Sponsors and Partners YETI Europe Trout Fishing South West Lakes Trust Lakedown Brewing Co. & Tap Room Turrall Flies
More photos will be posted soon.
Result of round 3. Points
1. Andrew Gooding. 1
2. Andrew Watson. 2
3. Rodney Wevill. 3
4. Wayne Thomas. 4
5. Steve Retallack 5
6. Keith Burnett ! 6
7. Brendan Cooper. 7
8. John Huckins. 8
9. Pete Williams. 9
9. Paul McEvoy. 9
Standing after 3 rounds.
Position. Points
1. Andrew Gooding. 8
2. Wayne Thomas. 9
3. Keith Burnett. 10
4. Rodney Wevill. 11
5. Paul McEvoy. 19
6. John Huckins. 20
7. Pete Williams. 21
8. Steve Retallack. 25
9. Andrew Watson. 30
10. Tony Chipman. 31
11. Gary Brazier. 33
12. Garry Boyde. 34
12. Dave Perks. 34
13. Brendan Cooper. 35
My day :-
I had been looking forward to this annual excursion for some time as Fernworthy high on Dartmoor is a beautiful venue and as a result of its location gets everything nature can throw at it. Gale force winds heavy rain its all part of the fascinating game that is fishing. In a competition like this it is the same for everybody and there is certain pleasure in sharing the experience as a community for the Fluff Chuckers is very much a part of large community of like minded individuals.
My own strategy based on previous visits was to persist with a tried and trusted set up. Three flies, a black lure on the point and two small black flies on the droppers. I chose spot  where I could put out a line into a wind lane and covered the water.  It proved a frustrating day with eight fish hooked, four brought to net and several takes missed. If I had the day again would I have fished differently ? Hindsight is great but If I fished the same conditions again I would probably do the same but might have focussed more on some areas that brought more takes and cut back to two flies as in the conditions I probably lost half an hour throughout the day sorting minor tangles.

JO-IN-THE WATER

Pauline and I went to Scott’s Cinema in Barnstaple Last night to watch the film Jo in the water. The film tells the inspiring story of Jo Batemans ongoing court case against South West Water.

Sea swimming is Jo Bateman’s sanctuary—until sewage spills threaten the waters she loves.

A passionate sea swimmer turned reluctant activist, Jo Bateman takes on one of the UK’s biggest water companies in a David-and-Goliath battle to protect our oceans from devastating sewage pollution.

As Jo’s courage helps ignite a growing movement, this film exposes the dire state of our water system and asks: who will stand up for our right to swim in clean natural waters, for the species and communities that rely upon them?

Jo in the Water is a powerful, emotional feature-length documentary film. It is not just about water pollution; it is about connection—to nature, to our own sense of place, and to our responsibility for the world around us.

https://www.jointhewater.com

A PERSONAL VIEW

The film is an emotive production that provokes anger at the state of our rivers and the failure of water companies. The evidence is clear that water companies are failing in their duty. But as someone who feels passionate about these issues I despair at the lack of interest shown by the wider populate regarding the environment.

The environment is climbing the political agenda but MPs will only go where there are votes and sadly pot holes and the cost of living get more votes than rivers. Those who swim, fish, surf canoe and walk the rivers and coast have a vital connection but they are not in the majority.

The Environment Agency are generally underfunded and lack the power to regulate and prosecute. They are the environmental police overwhelmed by corporate greed, industrialisation of agriculture and a growing population that impacts upon our precious environment.

Nationalising the Water Industry will not be a panacea to all ills for treating sewage and water is far more costly than many believe. The infrastructure is inadequate and as house building expands the infrastructure is not upgraded adequately. Policing, education, NHS, Social Services, Public Transport, Roads are these all as they should be?

It is vital to raise the tragic decline in river health for as I often say the rivers are the vital arteries of the land. We need the debate, yes we need to campaign and activists are vital in raising awareness of the issues.

Those reading this can help to spread the word. Get involved in water testing, reporting issues and joining organisations that care.

The next local showing is at Torrington :-

https://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/event/jo-water

Euro Nymphing With Katka Švagrová

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ANGLING BRINGS CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD

ANGLING BRINGS CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD

                        One of anglings greatest gifts is the connection that participants enjoy with nature. As anglers we are privileged to witness many wonders of the natural world. Last week I spent a day fishing on Chew Valley Lake in Somerset. Our target species was pike that grow large in this vast rich lake. It was the hottest May Day on record and not the day we would have chosen but having booked a boat in advance we proceeded ensuring that we had plenty of water and sunscreen. The fishing proved hard going with just four small pike tempted by our large flies.

A highlight of the day was an encounter with a juvenile grass snake that was swimming across the lake. I lifted the snake from the water and admired it before slipping it back into the lake hoping it would survive as it seemed to be extremely vulnerable with so many potential predators in the vicinity. Dragonflies and damsel flies fluttered over the mirror calm lake and bird song filled the air.

Each day at the water’s edge has the potential to bring exciting encounters with the world around. I have witnessed whales, otters, kingfishers, foxes, osprey, deer, nightjar, eagles, crocodiles, scorpions, moose, witnessed lunar eclipses, comets in dark star studded skies, spectacular sunsets, misty dawns and many more phenomena. Not to mention the many fish that are the target of the day. Whilst I could have seen some of this without a rod and line it is for me the tactile connection with that unseen world beneath the surface that seals the deal.

It is for this reason that many anglers are passionate conservationists who get involved with campaigns for cleaner rivers and nature friendly farming practices.

River Fly Monitoring