This article is part of a series dedicated to the presentation of angling associations across Europe. For this article, we introduce the EAA member from Slovenia: Ribiška zveza Slovenije - The Fishing Association of Slovenia (RZS)
Recreational fishing is a very popular activity in Slovenia for both local anglers and for the numerous tourists that visit the country every year to enjoy its breath-taking landscapes, its pristine nature and its clear and rich waters.
The
Ribiška zveza Slovenije was founded in 1880 to represent Slovenian freshwater fishers and it now counts over 12.000 members affiliated to 64 angling clubs. For nearly 140 years the association has remained committed to the protection of the freshwater habitats and the sustainable management of the 20 different fish species that are of interest for anglers such as marbled trout, brown trout, danube salmon, grayling, nase and carp.
The association is responsible for the management of Slovenian freshwaters on behalf of the State and it carries out its management duties via the angling clubs. Its key objectives are to preserve the environment and the fish populations as well as to promote the heritage and tradition of Slovenian freshwater fishing.
Among other things, the RZS provides training for fishers by giving special attention to the involvement of youngsters, cooperates with other NGOs, scientific institutions and national authorities on freshwater issues and represents the interests of freshwater fishers at the national and international level.
For its long-standing commitment to sustainable fisheries management and to the protection of Slovenian freshwaters, the Ministry of the Environment granted the RZS the status of association of public interest in the field of nature conservation.
