The Role of the Canal & River Trust Fisheries & Angling Team

Britain s Canals Arteries of the world s first Industrial Revolution Most built 1770-1850 up to 4,000 miles at their peak Shaped British society, but fell into slow decline from late 19 th - mid 20 th century as rail and road took over Many rescued from destruction in the last 60 years - one of UK s great conservation success stories British Waterways formed in 1962, Government-owned / controlled Lead up to millennium saw burst of lottery funding for restoration K&A, Rochdale, Huddersfield But during 2000s, funds available from Government for core network under pressure And so a new model was developed

The Canal & River Trust was formed in July 2012: To protect, manage and improve the nation s canals and river navigations for the millions who enjoy them Transfer of waterways and associated public assets (and people) to third sector largest ever New governance to involve users and other interested bodies Underpinned by 15 year contract / grant agreement with Government

We care for 2,000 miles of historic canals and river navigations, plus several docks, 72 reservoirs in England & Wales Over 2,700 listed structures more than anyone bar the National Trust and Church of England The Largest freshwater fisheries portfolio in the UK More than 1,500 locks, 3,000 bridges + aqueducts, cuttings, embankments, tunnels, culverts etc Environment and water assets Our Archives and Collection Our property endowment

Our navigations are roughly two thirds of the national network most of the rest operated by the Environment Agency Crown copyright and database rights, 2013, Ordnance Survey 100030994. Next Perspectives, 2013. Contains Royal Mail data, Royal Mail copyright and database right, 2013. Contains National Statistics data, Crown copyright and database right, 2013.

The Trust Fisheries & Angling Team The team comprises of four people. John Ellis. National role plus K & A, South East & London Carl Nicholls. East Midlands, West Midlands and South Wales & Severn Paul Breslin. North West, North East, Manchester & Pennines and North Wales & Borders Barbara Wilder. Fisheries Administration Co-ordinator.

Managing our fishing rights We are the largest single owners of freshwater fishing rights in the UK. We have a legal duty to provide fishing on our waterways under S104 (b) of Transport Act 1968. There is a legal document called the standard angling agreement document. There are obligations on both the Trust and the clubs. Oldest lease in files is from 1878 on Kennet & Avon for Newbury & District. We have agreements with around 250 angling clubs with a combined membership of over 80,000 anglers.

Managing our fishing rights The number of angling clubs renting fishing from the Trust has declined from 490 down to around 250 in the past 30 years, although now stable. Anglers contribute around 550,000 of income to the Trust. Soon to be published report: All fishing benefits the UK economy 1.46 billion 7% of anglers go canal fishing ( 102.2million) to the economy. 1.6 million angler days on canals in 2015 Liaison with the paying club customer is an important component of the environmental appraisal.

Looking after our fish Nearly 40 different fish species have been recorded on our waterways. The Trust own the fish in our canals and reservoirs. Fish are expensive items. It would cost around 40 million to replace them all. We have legal responsibilities under Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975, and a duty of care under the Animal Welfare Act to protect our fish. Where fish are put at risk as a result of maintenance work, we will undertake fish rescues. The team contract manage the fisheries term contract

Fish as an education tool The team own a fish tank which we take to various events. It s helping raise the profile of fisheries and angling. We undertook 11 separate events (16 days) from May to October 2016. Fish are a great tool to introduce the public to canal wildlife. Some are unaware fish can live in canals. The public don t always understand the role of fish in the food chain. We invite school parties to selected fish rescue events. They get to weigh and measure the different fish species. We have helped developed various fishrelated childrens activities including Beat That Fish game.

The Trust and its role in angling participation Angling participation has declined in recent years especially amongst young people. In 2016 the Trust signed an MOU and partnered with National Fishing Month. We held 35 come and try it sessions with 917 participants. We gave away a basic starter kit to each person booked in. We made a series of beginning fishing on canals videos Research indicates 61% of current anglers started at aged ten or younger. Go Fish in 2017 will be more ambitious is your club going to get involved?

Fisheries & angling and digital & social media The Trust has 37 Twitter accounts and 16 Facebook accounts (October 2017). Facebook @Canalrivertrustangling Twitter page @CRTFisheries On Facebook we have the biggest departmental following with over 18,000 fans, followed by Anderton Boat Lift (8,100) and Boating (5,500). There is a significant fisheries section on the website. Content includes team and guest blogs, weekly match results, where to fish search, Waterway Wanderers, History & Heritage, Fish Species, Learn to Fish, Catch of the Month competition etc.

The Trust network and major angling events The nations most prestigious competitive event is the Angling Trust Division One National. Since 1906, 69 Nationals have been held on Trust owned fisheries. In 2017, Division One National is to be held on the Shropshire Union and Division 2 on the Aire & Calder/New Junction. 2014 launch of Canal Pairs Championships in partnership with Angling Trust. One heat on each Waterway, Welsh, Scottish and Irish Canals, plus non Trust owned canal. Numerous winter leagues plus club and open matches.

Unpowered craft More people using our canals. Nearly two million people go canoeing in Britain. Canals are great for beginners and experts. There are canoe clubs on our network. We have canoeists on our Partnership Boards. Basic advice on our website.

Licences? Do canoeists need to buy a licence for the Trust's waterways? Yes, they can be purchased online. Also current members of British Canoeing, Canoe Wales Angling Trust s Kayak Scheme can all use our waterways as part of their membership.

Angling Trust CRT - Waterway Wanderers Permit and Riverboat Licence. The Waterways Wanderer permit gives you access to fishing on sections that are not controlled by clubs. If you are fishing in a clubs section then you ll need to pay the day-ticket (if permitted). Angling Trust Kayak Fishing Freshwater Code of Conduct.

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Emergency numbers Customer Line: 0303 040 4040 Emergency line (Out of Hours): 0800 4799947 Environment Agency: 0800 80 70 60

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