| We can do no better than to quote Professor David Bellamy, who said about this booklet;
"A giant leap in the right direction, a Code of Conduct for the fishers that puts the Environment first. Great news for the fish and for the waters of Britain." David Bellamy.
We hope we can live up to this! The Code was originally designed to guide specialist coarse anglers through the pitfalls of suitable conduct and the methods employed in our sport, and was published through the old SACG. Now angling has again taken a new leap forward with the formation of the NAA (National Angling Alliance, see members below), and the Code has been widened to include all aspects of coarse angling.
The Code is a detailed document intended to offer guidance to individuals and groups, and also as a basis in whole or part for club rule-books. We do recognise however that it covers a lot of detail, too much in fact for newcomers to fishing! So, for a "quick guide" to the basics we have also reproduced the Environment Agency leaflet "Angling & Wildlife Golden Rules", to which we contributed and which we endorsed, plus some additions of our own. If you need a simplified version please simply turn to the "Newcomers Guide-Starting Angling" section at the back of this booklet.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Environment Agency, both for the considerable help we have received in compiling this Code, and for their huge financial backing which has allowed us once again to achieve widespread distribution of this document. To quote the EA;
This code is designed to complement the existing legislative framework and provides a commonsense guide to values and behaviour to which anglers should aspire. The Environment Agency supports angling and fully endorses this Code of Conduct.
Above all though, remember that this Code is designed to allow us to interact sympathetically with the environment and with the other conservationists who share our waters, and to protect our quarry. Rules are best kept to a minimum, but are necessary to ensure we adhere to the highest standards. Above all, enjoy the sport, look after the fish and respect other wildlife along with the environment as a whole!
Specialist Anglers' Alliance
© Copyright SAA/NAA January 2002
Available for free publication with due acknowledgement to the copyright owners SAA, with written permission
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