News

The first-ever EFTTA Angling Summit has been hailed a huge success, with an inspirational line-up of speakers, insight, opportunities and networking in a relaxed but business-like atmosphere.

After a welcome from European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) president Gerard Bakkenes and vice-president Ross Honey, the event kicked off with a fascinating presentation by Cecile Fouquet of Alienor about their work over the last decade lobbying the EU on behalf of angling and the trade.

Joana Patricio, the fisheries control expert from DG Mare at the European Commission, outlined a series of new rules and tools coming in very soon for reporting some species catches across the EU’s recreational fisheries.

The 80-plus attendees at the event in Berlin enjoyed an insightful presentation about the threats of Extended Producer Responsibility as it relates to plastic courtesy of Peter Lyngby, president of the Danish Tackle Trade Association.

The debate saw some interesting responses from key players in France and Sweden, among others, including Rapala VMC and Fladen Fishing.

Prof Robert Arlinghaus from IGB and Humbolt University, Berlin offered some fascinating statistics on the effects of catch and release on various species and how can best practice improve these further.

There was inspiration courtesy of Tintti Drake from the Finnish Federation for Recreational Fishing, detailing how she and her team have been boosting the number of female anglers in the country.

The inspiration continued with David Lyons from UK mental health charity Tackling Minds outlining how his addiction issues encouraged him to help others by getting them fishing.

The UK industry has backed him so far but it seems there is demand across Europe and the world for such a fantastic concept.

Robert Marx, president of the European Boating Industry, outlined the importance of working closely with the tackle trade.

It was great to have Glenn Hughes, the president of the American Sportfishing Association, beam into the Summit during the afternoon, especially as it was Thanksgiving Day over there.

He revealed some eye-watering numbers of anglers and funding and some great ideas for how Europe can grow its angling promotion.

Attendees were also given a useful overview of the pending EU lead restrictions from EFTTA lobbyist Jan Kappel, who warned that the proposals could finally be brought to the table in 2025.

Using competitive anglers as a scientific tool (CAST) is a great way to research fish species and habitats and Prof Gordon Watson and his team from the University of Portsmouth detailed what they had done via the UK’s Sea Angling Classic event.

A great way to finish up the first-ever EFTTA Angling Summit was a panel comprising the EFTTA board, lobbyist and the European Anglers’ Alliance, giving their views on the future of the industry and how everyone can work together.

It was a superb note to end on as the delegates head for a networking dinner in the evening and a talk from Professor Bella Urbanyi on how science can help the angling sector.

The date for next year’s EFTTA Angling Summit has already been confirmed as Thursday, November 27^th, once again at hub27 in Berlin.

If you are serious about your tackle business, get this in your diary now.