Leading industry figures, experts in their field and the tackle trade in general combined to ensure the 2025 EFTTA Angling Summit was a huge success once more.
Following a fantastic inaugural event last year, the second summit – held at hub27 in Berlin and organised by the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) – brought together a strong line up of speakers and an equally strong audience from the fishing tackle industry.
Among those who gave presentations throughout the day was Angling Trades Association chairman Andrew Race, who outlined how the industry could play a key role in angler retention and growth.
Earlier that afternoon, Viv Shears and Steve Tapp from the Anglers’ National Line Recycling Scheme explained how tackle shops and fisheries across the UK had helped collect millions of metres of monofilament and fly lines plus countless tonnes of discarded plastic, which gets sorted and then recycled into everything from rod stands to sunglasses.
EFTTA president Gerard Bakkenes welcomed visitors, saying: “Why do we need to shape the future of the industry? There are new rules and regulations, questions around PFAs and lead and we need to be at the forefront of these discussions; we have to secure recreational angling’s right to exist.
“It is important for environmental responsibility, or mental health and we ned to work out how we can attract more anglers to grow our industry. Only united, can we win.”
The summit was moderated by EFTTA vice-president, ATA board member and Angling Spirit founder Ross Honey.
Throughout the day, attendees heard from EFTTA lobbyist Jan Kappel on the timelines for lead regulations, Cyrille Viellard, president and CEO of Rapala VMC on his company’s work on sustainability reporting and Peter Lyngby, president of the Danish tackle trade association – Dansk Lystfiskeri – on how it has turned around the decline in angler numbers.
Other notable talks came from Professor Robert Arlinghaus, who discussed how to save big fish using harvest slots, Joana Patricio, DG Mare of the European Commission on the new sea fishing app requirements from January, Els Torreele on improving data in recreational fishing and Deloitte legal expert Markus Uhl on EU customs reforms and safeguards. Meanwhile, Finland’s Markku Vierelä outlined a strategy for sustainable growth and wellbeing.
There were also crucial panel discussions on the surge of low-value imports from China which are flooding the European market and hitting tackle manufacturers as well as the importance of trade policies and getting angling represented at the highest level.
In the evening, attendees enjoyed a networking dinner, with the chance to continue their earlier conversations.
Concluding the event, Ross Honey said: “Fishing is important – we all lead busy lives and it’s the only time I switch off; it’s the thrill and excitement.
“When you see people who have travelled a long way and come with such knowledge and passion that they shared today with us, looking to help shape the future of angling, that gives me a big thrill.
“I think angling – if we all work together – is in a good place. I think we are going to do some great things together – and together we are certainly stronger.
“Thank to everyone for sharing your thoughts – good, bad and indifferent; that’s how we learn and how we can improve things.”
