Representatives from the EAA Member Organisations met in Denmark on 1-3 September for the 22nd EAA General Assembly
Fred Bloot, EAA President, chaired the annual EAA members’ gathering in Vingsted - Denmark, hosted by the Danmarks Sportfiskerforbund – the Danish angling association.
During this three-day event, constructive discussions on important sea and freshwater issues took place, including EU management measures to come later this year concerning sea bass and Baltic cod, the effects of hydropower on the state of EU rivers and biodiversity, and the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. Besides these discussions, the representatives could listen to some inspiring presentations about the work of the Danish association, the promotion of angling tourism, the development of an electronic anglers’ logbook, the actions done on river restoration and the latest revision of Denmark's cormorant management plan.
The anglers could also hear and assess the activities carried out by their representatives in what has been a busy year in Brussels: two events organised in the European Parliament, a meeting with the Commissioner in charge of Fisheries and Environment, Karmenu Vella, and the inputs provided to several legislations.
The General Assembly was the perfect occasion to discuss and develop new courses of action and new strategies for the future, in order to continue advocating for the protection of the aquatic environment and for healthy fish stocks that benefit anglers and the environment.
Some relevant decisions were taken, including the re-election of Fred Bloot – from Sportvisserij Nederland - as President of the EAA for a period of three years and the election of David Mitchell – from the Angling Trust – as new Board Member and Chairman of the subgroup sea.
