The first 10,000 individuals joining Angling Scotland will get their membership fee back in the form of a voucher to spend either on-line at fishingmegastore.com or in-store at Glasgow or Edinburgh Angling Centres.
There are an estimated 400,000 anglers in Scotland today and over the years it has become evident that a significant percentage of recreational anglers do not feel that the sport governing bodies can represent their interests and concerns as non-competitive anglers.
The fact that the majority of anglers do not belong to an organisation that can effectively represent their interest, not only results in them having no voice as individuals but means that, as a sector, we are unable to bring to bear the weight of 400,000 anglers/voters when engaging with Scottish Government and other key stakeholders on major issues affecting the aquatic environment, angling and anglers.
Glasgow Angling Centre managing director, Paul Devlin, said: “With increasing threats to our sport, fish and environment, it’s more crucial than ever that we come together and demonstrate the strength of our collective passion and commitment.
“Our focus has always been to champion a unified voice for all anglers in Scotland and we believe that Angling Scotland is best placed to deliver that.”
Angling Scotland chair Alison Baker added: “We are delighted to announce this partnership and extremely generous offer, which will not only benefit our members but hopefully help to increases membership of Angling Scotland and allow us to bring more pressure to bear on Scottish Ministers, Government Departments, Businesses and other key stakeholders to address the seemingly ever-increasing number of threats to angling.”
Angling Scotland was formed back in 2017, originally as an umbrella structure for the three angling governing bodies – the Scottish Anglers National Association (SANA), the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling (SFCA) and the Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers (SFSA).
While the trio are all part of Angling Scotland, it also brings together other subject matter experts to ensure that it delivers on behalf of ALL anglers and not just those focussed on competitions, pathways and performance.
Angling in Scotland is facing an ever-increasing number of threats to its future, from environmental impacts from climate change to pollution, predation, poaching and salmon farming, among others.
It is also working to ensure that angling is available to ALL, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or geographic location, by bringing together all types of angling; training and licensing coaches, removing barriers and providing opportunities to try angling and pathways for both competitive and recreational anglers to support the next generation and ensuring there is a future.
To take advantage of the offer – meaning they can effectively join Angling Scotland for free, all anglers need to do is join or renew via the JustGo Membership System for £5. Simply scan the QR code or click HERE