RECENT temporary Australian resident, Martin Salter, who was responsible for the groundbreaking Keep Australia Fishing Report, has been appointed the UK’s new National Campaigns Co-ordinator for the Angling Trust.
Salter, who stood down from the House of Commons at the last election, recently returned from “a fishing and writing sabbatical” in Australia which saw him publish the landmark report on the challenges facing Australia’s rec fishing sector. Salter made good his pre-election promise to return to the UK and campaign for a better deal for both anglers and fisheries. This new, part time post has been made possible following donations from the Angling Trades Association (ATA) and two individual benefactors who support the Angling Trust.
Salter is to be based within the Angling Trust but will be working across the sector to promote greater unity and improved joint working. In addition to assisting in campaigning, fundraising and political lobbying, he hopes to help drive up membership and increase participation in both the AT and ATA.
Salter’s appointment has been strongly endorsed by those at the very top of angling in the UK.
Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon PM said:
“I am really pleased that Martin will be active in the Angling Trust working with the Angling Trades Association to promote angling across the UK. Over the years I have built a healthy respect for Martin’s knowledge and passion for angling. I look forward to working with him in his new role and to seeing more people of all ages on our river banks and lakes.”
Charles Walker MP, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Angling said:
“I believe that Martin Salter has been one of the most outstanding politicians of his generation when it comes to the championing of fishing interests. His depth and breadth of knowledge continues to be appreciated across the political spectrum, as does his campaigning zeal.”
Martin Salter concluded:
“After an 18 month break to re-charge my batteries it’s great to be back and fighting for fishing. I particularly grateful to Mark Lloyd at the AT and Naidre Werner at the ATA for giving me the opportunity to put my skills, experience and contacts to good use and for the benefit of the sport we all love.
“My first job is to recruit some high profile ambassadors to help me raise the profile of the Angling Trust so that it can become a really strong and powerful voice for recreational fishing and the environment. I’m particularly keen to get some effective outcomes from the current DEFRA review of cormorant predation which has caused so much damage to fish stocks.
“I am already lined up to attend a range of ministerial and other meetings and will be addressing conferences and supporting the excellent work of Angling Trust campaigners Mark Owen (Freshwater) and David Mitchell (Sea Angling) and the legal team headed by Justin Neal. I will be the main point of contact with my former colleagues on the All Party Parliamentary Group on Angling and will be developing and helping to implement a wider angling and fisheries campaign strategy for 2012.”
