A wildlife trust has reversed its decision to ban fishing at Attenborough Nature Reserve after 'constructive' talks with anglers. In June, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT) said fishing would no longer be allowed at the popular beauty spot after a breakdown in talks with the Nottingham Anglers' Association (NAA).
It said its offer for anglers to continue with fewer spots was rejected. However, following a meeting between the two parties and the Angling Trust, NWT announced on Monday, August 8 that fishing could resume from June 16 next year. David Turner, general secretary of the NAA, who was at the meeting, said he was "delighted" at the breakthrough.
“Attenborough has always been a special place for Nottingham anglers and we were sad when negotiations broke down last year over access to fishing on the reserve," he said. "We are delighted that with the help of the Angling Trust we are now back on track and look forward sorting out our return next season on the basis of an agreement that is fair to all.”
Read more: Bird flu: Investigation after more than 150 birds found dead at Attenborough Nature Reserve
NWA, which bought Attenborough Nature Reserve in December 2020, has a longstanding policy of not allowing angling on land for which it holds the angling rights. Paul Wilkinson, CEO of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust said: “We are pleased that positive discussions have resumed about how angling will continue at Attenborough Nature Reserve.
"Attenborough is a special place for wildlife and for people, and a love of seeing and being in nature, and desire to see it protected and enhanced, is something that is shared by the thousands of people who visit and use the site each year, not least anglers. We look forward to working with the NAA to finalise the new licence agreement, and to exploring opportunities for further partnerships with them.”
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- Attenborough Nature Reserve will no longer permit fishing, wildlife trust says
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