The Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network (SSACN) is an independent Charity focusing on marine conservation issues, especially those affecting sea anglers. Our primary goal is to work in conjunction with others to help ensure future fish stocks.
We are passionate about the conservation of fish and their management for the benefit of all. We work in partnership with many other organisations, at national and local levels, to try and improve fish stocks for the benefit of all and to try and ensure there will be more and bigger fish for anglers to catch.
Shark stocks in Scottish waters are severely threatened and data on their quantity, size, sex, distribution and growth rates is needed if they are to be protected. The SSTP’s Special Events programme shows anglers can make a difference. Historically anecdotal evidence appeared to suggest several species of shark in Scottish waters required protection from excessive exploitation, [...]
SSACN are very keen to help educate Scottish children about the various species of fish and their natural environments in their local waters.
We have been visiting primary schools throughout Scotland running education and awareness events. All of these have so far included classroom based session, educating the children about the sharks, skates and rays in Scottish waters, what makes them different from other fish in the sea and how they have well developed senses which allow them to be effective and impressive hunters.
The Scottish Shark Tagging Programme (SSTP) is run by the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network, its objectives are to : Record data on the shark, skate and ray species found within Scottish coastal waters Increase public awareness Encourage use of “codes of best practice” Highlight sea anglers conservation efforts Show government agencies that sea anglers [...]
Overfishing has reduced fish populations and biodiversity across much of the world’s oceans. In response, fisheries are increasingly reliant on a handful of highly valuable shellfish. However, new research by the University of York shows this approach to be extremely risky. The research, published today in the journal Fish and Fisheries, shows that traditional fisheries [...]
The Marine Conservation Society in Scotland (MCS) has urged the Scottish Government to push forward with 33 proposed marine protected areas (MPAs) to safeguard internationally significant populations of creatures from the threat caused by fishing and other human activity. Calum Duncan, MCS programme manager, is to present the minister with a near-4,000 signature petition from [...]
The Black Fish is a new international marine conservation movement on a mission to end the industrial overfishing of our oceans. According to their website, they will work to expose and challenge illegal and destructive fishing practices through investigation and action; create grassroots campaigns and educational projects aimed at empowering individuals to get actively involved [...]
This past weekend saw SSACN hold its 4th annual skate angling event in the Sound of Jura, Argyll on the west coast of Scotland attracting anglers from all over the country to pursue the magnificent common skate. In this post-event report we will aim to give a rundown of the event and pick out some [...]
Conditions for day two saw strong southerly winds coming up the Sound of Jura causing lumpy conditions for the boats …. Fishing was slow with only 3 Skate caught. Biggest of the day was a 199lb female for Craig Little on Trailblazer … Jason Nicol on Tarton Spartan managed creditable female of 171lb and Alex [...]
You may be interested to note that on 29 April, the Scottish Government published a report ‘Europe 2020: Scottish National Reform Programme 2013’ which sets out the actions that are being taken forward across Scotland to support the delivery of the ambitions set out in Europe 2020 – the European Union’s strategy for delivering smart, [...]
Thirty-eight members of the European Parliament from 18 member states, including four UK MEPS, have called for each EU government to play a ‘constructive role’ in fisheries reform. In a statement released on April 30th 2013, the MEPs warned that if a minority blocked the reforms ahead of the May 2 meeting, when the Irish [...]
Attempts to derail the discard ban continue. The Commission estimates that 23% of catches are now discarded, but other sources say the figure is as high as 40%. The biggest area of dispute is when the ban on discards of unwanted catches should begin. The Council is split geographically on the issue. Northern European states [...]
The timeline for a consultation on a Draft National Marine Plan and implementation of a National Marine Plan has been revised, taking account of UK and Scottish Ministerial processes and resources available. The consultation is expected in summer 2013, leading to implementation of the Plan by the end of 2014. The Marine (Scotland) Act provides [...]
At the recent awards dinner of the Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) successful anglers from all over Ireland were congratulated by Fergus O’Dowd TD, Minister of State for Natural Resources, on their excellent achievements. In his speech the Minister said: “The Government recognises that angling is hugely important to the tourist industry and to the [...]
Discards are those parts of the catch that are returned to the sea. The level of discarding varies widely between fisheries, and within fisheries; in some they are almost negligible, others may discard more than they retain, up to 80% in certain fisheries. There are many different reasons for discarding but the major reasons are [...]
This entry is part 1 of 2 in the series SmoothhoundIn the following posts Dr Edward Farrell, chairman of the Irish Elasmobranch Group, Co-regional Vice Chair of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group and member of the European Elasmobranch Association Scientific Committee will discuss his work on the identification issues surrounding smooth-hound in the north-east Atlantic. [...]
This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series SmoothhoundDr Farrell discusses some identification issues surrounding smooth-hound species in north-east Atlantic waters and the work he has carried out in an attempt to resolve these issues. Species Identification and Biology The first and main question that always seems to arise when talking about smooth-hounds [...]
In this article, Dr Farrell discusses the progression of his research on starry smooth-hound (after clearing up the identification confusion!) and the implications his research might have on future management of smooth-hound populations in the north-east Atlantic. Current Fishery and Management Resolving the identification issues of Northeast Atlantic smooth-hounds greatly simplified the next part of [...]
Firstly we showed an extract from a video which was developed with the cooperation of businesses in Drummore in which they discussed the impact of the depletion of stocks on the long term viability of the community. The extract (90MB) is available here and the full video is available on request. This was followed by [...]
Are fish a private commodity or a ‘public good’ held in trust by the government on behalf of all citizens.? A landmark case which could answer that question is about to get underway. Commercial fishermen, represented by the UK Association of Fish Producer Organisations (UKAFPO), have taken Defra to court arguing that reallocating part of [...]
A review of the efforts of Member States to achieve a sustainable balance between fleet capacity and fishing resources has shown: The capacity of Europe’s fishing fleet is still too high. Despite reductions in the size of many European fishing fleets over the last decade, many vessels across a range of Member States did [...]
Extracts from an article in The Herald 24/02/13 Scotland’s scallop-dredging industry will be the subject of a “wide-ranging review” by ministers in the wake of allegations that it is wrecking the seabed and destroying fish stocks. The comprehensive review, due to start in April, could lead to new controls as dredging has attracted growing criticism [...]
Poor market prices for fish are currently having a severe economic impact on the Scottish fleet, sparking calls from the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) for all sectors of the seafood industry and government to work together to find ways of stimulating demand for home caught product. According to Bertie Armstrong, SFF chief executive: “The fall [...]
A Welsh fishermen led initiative is developing best practice in scallop fisheries management by working with scientists, managers and conservation bodies to protect seabed habitats. Scallop fisheries are acknowledged to be amongst the most potentially disturbing forms of fishing currently occurring in British waters and if carried out over sensitive habitats, may cause irrevocable damage [...]
People interested in influencing the management of inshore fisheries around the North West of England are being encouraged to apply to join the regions’ inshore fisheries and conservation authority (IFCA). The IFCAs, of which there are 10 around the English coastline, are responsible for the sustainable management of sea fisheries within 6 nautical miles from [...]
Waitrose has pledged to source all its seafood from independently certified sources, with an industry leading deadline of the end of 2016. Jeremy Langley, fish buyer for the retail chain said: “For us, this pledge feels like a natural evolution of our long-standing responsible fishing policy. We started to have concerns over stocks of some [...]
Marine Scotland (MS) has turned down a licence application from GlaxoSmithKline to install 15 turbines at the mouth of Montrose Basin. MS said it would not issue a marine licence due to the site being designated as a special protection area, a site of special scientific interest and a special area of conservation. In a [...]
The Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation (SCFF), the national trade association for the creel fishing industry has launched a website. According to the home page, creel fishing is a traditional and sustainable form of coastal fishing for shell fish that supports more jobs around the coastline of Scotland than any other type of fishery. Creel fishing [...]
Tom Heap from the BBC Radio 4 programme ‘Costing the Earth’ interviews ‘The Black Fish’ activists hoping to bring an end to illegal fishing by tackling the problem head on: by getting in the way of pirate fishermen. The interview may be downloaded here (13MB).
SSACN’s Give Fish A Chance (GFAC) initiative reflects the fact that many anglers are keen to do what they can to ensure the minimal impact to the environment and to the fish themselves.
Fish sustainably, only take fish for the table which have had a chance to reproduce and have respect for those you do catch.
Weighing fish by measuring them helps minimize any potential harm to the fish. Just enter the measurement (in cms) of your fish and the calculator will do the rest!
Interactive graphs and downloadable charts presenting weight for length in cms/lbs may be found here
Marine Scotland has circulated the first Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Newsletter. The first draft of a Management Handbook has been made available for comment; a second draft is planned to be available shortly incorporating comments that have been received. SNH/JNCC have delivered scientific advice on nature conservation MPAs to ministers. This advice package, Advice to [...]
Marine renewables and offshore wind
Marine Scotland has commenced its review of the Plan for Offshore Wind Energy. It is also updating the 2007 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of wave and tidal energy. Finalised plans for all three technologies will be adopted in 2013. The Plans will be brought together and accompanied by an integrated ‘Sustainability Appraisal’. This will include [...]
Consultation on the draft Statutory Instrument ‘The Draft Scottish Marine Regions Order 2013’ ends on 28/02/13. The paper which was published for consultation on 6 December 2012 establishes the boundary co-ordinates for Scottish Marine Regions . The consultation is seeking views on the draft legislation; the co-ordinates establishing the marine regions boundaries; the names of [...]
University of Aberdeen – workshop invitation
Workshop invitation: The value of the marine environment to divers and sea anglers We would like to invite you to take part in at least one of the two workshops that we are running in Aberdeen. These will be held on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th February, at Aberdeen Arts Centre (33 King Street, Aberdeen [...]
DG Mare – Atlantic Strategy–Public call
DG Mare has now issued a public call for suggestions for research and investment priorities within the Atlantic area. The intention of the call is to generate a set of research and investment priorities to be brought under an Atlantic Strategy Action Plan, expected around April 2013. The Action Plan is to help guide strategic [...]
The UK Environment Minister, Richard Benyon, has announced the start of the public consultation on Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). The consultation document and annexes can be viewed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/open/. The public consultation will run until midnight on 31 March 2013, and will give everyone with an interest in the marine environment the opportunity to provide [...]
Sharkatag – 14/15/16 June
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