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I’ve just been watching an interesting video on “Italian Fishing TV” about a new association that was formed by angling entrepreneurs in Italy in 2017 (FIOPS-Federation of Operators in the Sport fishing sector).
We anglers often think that we have a right to be heard because of our monetary value to the national economy, and we do, but we are frustrated because we have no organisation that represents us all. The Angling Trust offers this type of representation but for various reasons has failed to convince the vast majority of us to subscribe. (It also does not speak for Scotland).
FIOPS in Italy is an initiative by a group of big player entrepreneurs who have very sensibly reached the conclusion that their profits depend upon the numbers of anglers, their regular custom and success for their efforts-poor fishing means fewer anglers means less profit. Several of the big players have united to fund and promote a new association that has already-in only one year since inception-had the ears of the Italian government and the EU. They offer the perfect locations –their dealers’ outlets-where prospective members can get information about the initiative and obtain subscriptions. Just think how easily the message could be spread around the UK if most of the angling suppliers adhered to the initiative. The subscription to the Italian initiative is 5 euros per year, so not a big deal.
Should we approach the people who make the most from our patronage and ask them to help us (and themselves)?
We anglers often think that we have a right to be heard because of our monetary value to the national economy, and we do, but we are frustrated because we have no organisation that represents us all. The Angling Trust offers this type of representation but for various reasons has failed to convince the vast majority of us to subscribe. (It also does not speak for Scotland).
FIOPS in Italy is an initiative by a group of big player entrepreneurs who have very sensibly reached the conclusion that their profits depend upon the numbers of anglers, their regular custom and success for their efforts-poor fishing means fewer anglers means less profit. Several of the big players have united to fund and promote a new association that has already-in only one year since inception-had the ears of the Italian government and the EU. They offer the perfect locations –their dealers’ outlets-where prospective members can get information about the initiative and obtain subscriptions. Just think how easily the message could be spread around the UK if most of the angling suppliers adhered to the initiative. The subscription to the Italian initiative is 5 euros per year, so not a big deal.
Should we approach the people who make the most from our patronage and ask them to help us (and themselves)?