Better Sea Angling Strategy for Cornwall

RI, with the expertise of Associate Consultant Dr Patrick Coutin, has successfully completed the Recreational Fisheries Project Review. The project culminated in three comprehensive reports, the final of which was presented to the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (CIFCA) in December 2024.

This project was designed to strengthen the management and sustainability of recreational sea angling in Cornwall, with a focus on inshore marine and estuarine hook-and-line fisheries. It assessed the effectiveness of the current strategy and provided a set of forward-thinking recommendations to:

• Improve stakeholder engagement
• Enhance fishery monitoring and data collection
• Support a co-management approach to inshore fisheries

The final report sets out a roadmap for a Better Sea Angling Strategy for Cornwall, addressing key sustainability and management challenges. The strategy outlines several practical recommendations aimed at delivering the following outcomes:

1. Sustainable Sea Angling Guide
   A new guide, supported by updated website content, to raise public awareness about the conservation status of local fish stocks.
2. Collaborative Research & Monitoring
   Establishment of improved data collection processes, focusing on species caught, retained, or discarded by both shore and boat anglers.
3. Stakeholder Working Group
   Formation of a dedicated group to oversee the strategy’s rollout and coordinate ongoing monitoring activities.
4. Annual Stock Assessment Reviews
   Regular reviews of UK and EU stock data to support public education and guide conservation efforts for vulnerable or over-exploited species.
5. Better Communication, Less Conflict
   Enhanced information-sharing and collaborative decision-making will reduce stakeholder conflict and promote shared stewardship of inshore fisheries.

At RI, we recognise the significance of this inclusive and data-driven approach. By encouraging cooperation between commercial and recreational fishing communities, this strategy sets the foundation for long-term sustainability.

“This marks a pivotal step forward for Cornwall’s inshore fisheries,” said an RI spokesperson. “Through collaboration and a focus on sustainability, we can help secure these vital resources for generations to come.”