Local groups, including Sussex Angling, are launching a new angling initiative in Bexhill - the Rother Angling Festival. There are is a lot of work to be done (and money to be raised) before it becomes a relaity but this, as the text from the press release below states, could be a really exciting new development for anglers. More on this in due course.
Sea angling poised to become big business in Sussex tourismSea angling could become an even bigger tourism draw on a 15-mile stretch of the Sussex coast after local anglers and the district council announced a new fishing festival and a voluntary code of conduct for angling. Earlier in the year Rother District Council talked to local anglers and businesses and decided on the code instead of amendments to byelaws to ensure all beach users could enjoy the sea all-year round. This spirit of cooperation has now also led to the two organisations creating the first Bexhill Sea Fishing Festival in September next year. The code of conduct for anglers was agreed by Rother’s cabinet on Monday (7 November). Councillor Martin Kenward said it would be one of the first produced jointly by a council and local anglers and clearly underlined how anglers and the Council had been working together. “Rother and its sea angling community will be seen to be leading the way in good practice,” he added. The fishing festival is a direct outgrowth of the agreement with the anglers. “It will send the message that Rother is angling-friendly,” said Councillor Kenward who is the lead councillor for culture, sport and tourism. The nine-day festival (September 15 - 23) will include five open competitions for beach and boat anglers including one with one for angling kayakers, one of the fastest growing water sports in England. There will be an open boat competition, a five-day competition for beach anglers to catch specific fish species, a one-day beach competition and a hunt for the best bass caught from the beach. Stalls on Bexhill seafront’s newly built park and exhibition space will give fish preparation and cooking demonstrations and sell fish dishes. Individuals and families will be encouraged to try sea angling through coaching clinics. The sea angling code of conduct which will be posted on beaches throughout Rother next year will ask anglers to: *Respect all other beach users’ space and safety*Fish elsewhere if the beach is crowded or people are swimming*Use a shock leader, check all around before casting and keep rigs out of reach*Take all rubbish away including unwanted tackle and bait*Only take fish to be eaten and carefully place other fish back in the sea*If anglers clean their catches please take the waste off the beach*Be considerate to local residents when parking or leaving late at night For details please contact Steve Hanks at Hook, Line and Sinker, telephone 01424 733 211 e-mail stevehanks100@msn.com
