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. To provide specific focus, SSACN run three major tagging events focusing on three shark species in trouble; these are held at various locations and times of the year, [...]
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 : To tag and record data on many of the shark, skate and ray species found within Scottish coastal waters Increase public awareness highlighting the need for shark protection Encourage use of “codes of best practice” [...]
Communities in Dumfries and Galloway took part in the first ever Day of the Region celebration to be delivered in the UK on 1st and 2nd of October 2011. The main focus of the initiative was to encourage people to explore what was going on in their communities. The weekend celebration took place in 5 [...]
As you’ll remember we had to call off the proposed AGM in November 2011 due to weather. It will now take place on Wednesday the 1st February 2012 at the Carlton Hotel, Prestwick (KA9 1TP) and will start at 7.00pm. If any Member would like to propose a Resolution, please ensure it is received by [...]
See how you can help. It’s all about visualizing data. If you can’t read it but want to get involved email contact@ssacn.org
The MCS has released a Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) Pollution Policy and Position Statement (PPPS), The purpose of the PPPS is to identify the key issues related to the environmental impacts of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) which have been used to formulate the MCS position in relation to CSOs. With a changing climate and the [...]
This consultation seeks views on the European Commission’s proposals for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. The European Commission published their proposals for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) that will replace the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) from 1 January 2014 until 31 December 2020. The EMFF is structured around four pillars: Smart, Green [...]
The Isle of man queen scallop fishery will close on January 31 until the start of the new season on June 1. This will help to ensure its sustainability according to Billy Caley, Director of Isle of Man Seafoods and a member of the Isle of Man Scallop Processors’ Association who welcomed the move, announced [...]
The EC has released a quick overview to the proposed reform of the CFP, naturally it’s long on ‘what’ and short on ‘how’ and of course the focus is on maximising commercial exploitation rather than maximising the regeneration of species. It’s key proposals are : Take action against over-fishing and in favour of the sustainable [...]
Defra is responsible for funding, commissioning and managing research relating to the marine environment to build a strong evidence base for current and future policies nationally and internationally. They also co-ordinate research with other sponsors of scientific work in the UK, and the EU Their work is guided by the UK Marine Science Strategy and [...]
Extracts from a written Ministerial Statement by Environment Minister Richard Benyon explaining the delay in the introduction of MCZs in England. The Government’s first step to identifying new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in English waters was taken forward through four regional MCZ projects (who) provided their recommendations for proposed sites for MCZs on 8 September. [...]
European fleets have been amongst those devastating fish stocks in the southern Pacific whilst governments stand by and prevaricate. Commercial fleets bound only by voluntary restraints, operating in a free-for-all in waters from the west coast of South America across much of the southern Pacific, have reduced stocks of jack mackerel, once one of the [...]
Fishing boat skipper David Hutchison has claimed the Scottish pelagic fishing industry has been singled out for punishment as 17 Shetland and Northeast skippers are facing tough fines for illegally landing black fish worth more £40 million. In the High Court in Edinburgh, QC Murdo Macleod, defending Mr Hutchison argued that landing overquota mackerel and [...]
The Scottish Government have launched a consultation on the introduction of new management measures into the Scottish scallop sector. The aims of the consultation are to help safeguard stocks and more closely align Scottish technical restrictions with those being introduced into English waters by : o Introducing a flat rate 8 dredge per side limit [...]
ISLES is a collaborative project between the Scottish Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government of Ireland. Funded mainly by the EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), it is assessing the feasibility of creating an offshore interconnected transmission network and subsea electricity grid based on renewable energy sources [...]
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.
Dates for 2012 are :
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See how you can help. It’s all about visualizing data. If you can’t read it but want to get involved email contact@ssacn.org
European Marine and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)
This consultation seeks views on the European Commission’s proposals for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. The European Commission published their proposals for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) that will replace the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) from 1 January 2014 until 31 December 2020. The EMFF is structured around four pillars: Smart, Green [...]
The Scottish Government have launched a consultation on the introduction of new management measures into the Scottish scallop sector. The aims of the consultation are to help safeguard stocks and more closely align Scottish technical restrictions with those being introduced into English waters by : o Introducing a flat rate 8 dredge per side limit [...]
Future of aquaculture and fisheries
A consultation is underway to support a sustainable future for aquaculture and freshwater fisheries, and the effective management of interactions between these two sectors. The consultation also includes proposals to update enforcement provisions for aquaculture and fisheries, and a review of the approach to cost sharing and charges. The consultation will inform the development of [...]
Cod recovery measures–Clyde spawning closure
The Scottish Government has, since 2002, implemented a spawning season closure in the Firth of Clyde which complements the Irish Sea closure provided for under EU legislation. For both 2012 and 2013, the Scottish Government believes that there is a clear case for continuing the practice of a spawning season closure by rolling over the [...]
Consultation on the Firth of Clyde Biosecurity Plan
Biosecurity means taking steps to make sure that good practices are in place to reduce and minimise the risk of spreading invasive non-native species, i.e species that have been transported outside their natural range and that damage our environment, the economy, our health and the way we live. The Firth of Clyde Forum would welcome [...]
