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RACG

Jerry Gleeson

Senior Member
RACG PRESS RELEASE

TOP RIVER ANGLERS UNITE TO FORM NEW CONSERVATION GROUP

27 March, 2018

A new river anglers’ group is launching to fight for the future of UK rivers.

Some of the UK’s best-known anglers, including Drennan Cup Winner Dai Gribble angling author Dominic Garnett Iain Nairn of the Chub Study Group, barbel specialist Jerry Gleeson, lure expert Darren Starkey, eel angler and author Barry Mcconnell, international game angler Scott Graham, specialist pike angler Steve Burgess and Lincolnshire perch expert Phil Taylor have united to form the River Anglers’ Conservation Group (RACG) at a time when river angling faces unprecedented threats.

The group is also supported by geomorphologist and aquatic ecologist Dr Andy Pledger, river conservationist Trevor Harrop of the acclaimed Avon Roach Project, and Andrew Kingsweir Tredgett of the River Lea Project, which recently featured on BBC TV’s Countryfile. All three have agreed to act as expert advisors to the new group.

As well as campaigning, the River Anglers’ Conservation Group will organise fun fishing and social events at leading venues, where members can receive tips and guidance from some of the UK’s top anglers.

RACG founder and chairman Matt Marlow Angling said: “As anglers know only too well, there is hardly a river in the UK that is not under threat due to water quality, over-abstraction or predation issues – often all three.

“To date, there has been no specialist group for river anglers irrespective of what species they fish for.

“We want to engage in sensible, level-headed debate in a way that will gain the respect and attention of non-angling bodies, such as water authorities or wildlife organisations. Anglers by themselves can rarely achieve the progress needed.

“It is vital we work co-operatively to achieve improvement in our river fisheries. Listening to our members will be a top priority.

“We know there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the problems we and our rivers face. We will bring experience, specialist knowledge, enthusiasm, open-mindedness and a fresh outlook to the table.

“Ultimately, we are all keen river anglers who love our sport and want to preserve, promote and improve it for everyone, now and for the future.

“Importantly, we also want to have fun, by organising fish-ins and social events our members will love and learn from.“

Top specimen hunter Dai Gribble, a former senior Environmental Agency officer specialising in water quality issues, will be the RACG’s honorary president.

Dai said: “There are a lot of water qualities, habitat and predation issues impacting our rivers, and you cannot take any one issue in isolation. There needs to be a nationally coordinated effort and I’m delighted the RACG has been formed to take on the challenge.

“The right engagement with the right bodies is so important. We need to drive improvements and all anglers can play their part.”

The RACG will also undertake and advise on habitat improvement projects and develop a network of regional officers to collate knowledge for tackling conservation issues of local and national importance. In addition, the group will advise angling clubs and fishery owners on best practices in river restoration and share with the angling community how they can play their part in re-invigorating our rivers.

Anglers can join for just £4.99 via the group’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/RiverAnglersCG

Member benefits will include social fish-ins, teach-ins and advisory clinics on river habitat improvements, and a regular magazine exclusive to members. It will also forge links with other like-minded groups across Europe.

The formation of the RACG was warmly welcomed by the Angling Trust and Fish Legal’s chief executive Mark Lloyd, who said: “We look forward to working collaboratively with this new group of highly experienced and thoughtful anglers to tackle the many threats to river coarse fishing throughout the country. Their specialist knowledge will be invaluable in the fight to protect and improve all fish and fishing. We will be delighted to welcome the RACG onto our Specialist Anglers Group.”

*The RACG website will launch soon. Anglers can join the RACG now, visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/RiverAnglersCG.
 
Jerry,
Any thoughts on how people like myself who do not do FB can join to support ?
Regards
Bill W
 
Seemless and painless and no FB :)
 
Worked okay for me when I signed up. Looks like a promising group, provided it gets the support - so come on all you moaning anglers with your views on pollution, predation, siltation, abstraction etc. etc.; put your money where your mouth is!


Dave
 
I have joined but have reservations about other groups appearing that will only fragment any arguments made by anglers to many cooks etc.

I am also concerned that already on this thread comment about the otter petition has been made which imo is not called for, it looks as if some members of this new group will already have a poor opinion of other groups, I would just like to think that all historical and personal feelings can be put aside so that everyone can work towards the same goal, anyway time will tell if that is able to happen.
 
I am now encountering the blank page problem reported by David Craine. Page loads but nothing is displayed. I am using IOS 9 on an iPad. Can't remember if I signed up on my laptop (Windows 7) and will try that and report later but definitely not displaying on the iPad.


Dave
 
“To date, there has been no specialist group for river anglers irrespective of what species they fish for."

There was the RSSG (River Systems Support Group) formed around 2002 by anglers with similar intentions, many of whom were BFW members, sadly it didn't get far before it foundered. I wish this group better luck :)
 
There was the RSSG (River Systems Support Group) formed around 2002 by anglers with similar intentions, many of whom were BFW members, sadly it didn't get far before it foundered. I wish this group better luck :)
Remember it quite well - wish the RACG all the best.

Cheers
Bob
 
There was the RSSG (River Systems Support Group) formed around 2002 by anglers with similar intentions, many of whom were BFW members, sadly it didn't get far before it foundered. I wish this group better luck :)

It's been brought around by the ongoing demise of the barbel society and the current state that's in. A lot of the new guys involved in the RACG are ex BS guys, Jerry, Shaun, Paul etc etc. Those guys should steer it in the right direction hopefully.
 
Just logged in via my laptop with no problems at all but still getting the blank page after loading when I try via my iPad. Can someone look into this please as I am sure that I am not the only one with this issue and it could be costing the Group new members before it's even got off the ground....


Dave
 
Just logged in via my laptop with no problems at all but still getting the blank page after loading when I try via my iPad. Can someone look into this please as I am sure that I am not the only one with this issue and it could be costing the Group new members before it's even got off the ground....


Dave
Dave,
I’m probably the last person who should be giving technical advise but i’m able to logon with my ‘pad. Have you tried closing your iPad down and rebooting ?
Regards
Bill
 
Bill,

Makes no difference whatsoever regardless of whether I'm using Firefox or Safari as the browser. Definitely seems to be a problem between IOS and whatever software is being used for the RACG site.


Dave
 
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