As many of you will be aware, the Environment Agency (EA) is currently developing proposals for new national byelaws governing salmon and sea trout fisheries in England. These proposals are expected to significantly affect rod and net fisheries across our region.

The North West Angling Trust Fisheries Consultative Council (NWATFCC) is coordinating a collective response on behalf of anglers, clubs, and consultative bodies within the region—and we need your input.

• Mandatory Catch & Release of salmon on rivers classed as “At Risk” or “Probably At Risk” – this includes most English salmon rivers.
• New Restrictions on Methods, including:
  • Ban on worm fishing
  • Use of barbless hooks only
  • Limits on hook size and number (e.g. flies/lures/shrimp)
• Sea Trout Slot Limit – proposed introduction of an upper size limit alongside existing lower size limit to create a retention “slot”.

These proposals are not yet final, but a formal public consultation is expected in the coming months, and we want to ensure that local angling voices are clearly represented.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey using the link below. The form is structured to allow us to gather both quantitative and qualitative feedback that we can use in a coordinated NWATFCC submission to the EA.

We ask that:

• Anglers, clubs, consultatives and fishery stakeholders complete the form
• You share the link with your members, committees, or social groups

By submitting the form, you consent to NWATFCC using your response as part of our collective submission to the Environment Agency.

Thank you for supporting this important work on behalf of our rivers, fish stocks, and future of salmon and sea trout angling.