1. Introduction Summerhayes Juniors Fishing Club ("the Club") depends on healthy waters, clean banks, and thriving wildlife. We are committed to protecting the environments we fish and to teaching the young anglers in our care to do the same. This policy sits alongside our Code of Conduct and follows the environmental guidance of the Angling Trust and the Environment Agency.

2. Purpose The aims of this policy are to:

• Minimise the impact of our activities on waters, banks, and wildlife.
• Protect fish welfare at every session.
• Help young anglers grow up as responsible custodians of the environment.

3. Scope This policy applies to all coaches, volunteers, junior members, and accompanying parents or guardians at every Club session, match, and event.

4. Litter and Waste In support of the Angling Trust's Anglers Against Litter campaign, we ask everyone to:

• Take all litter home, or use the bins provided at the fishery.
• Never leave discarded fishing line, hooks, or tackle behind — these can seriously harm wildlife.
• Leave every peg cleaner than they found it.

5. Fish Welfare and Care The wellbeing of the fish always comes first. Coaches teach and expect:

• Tackle suitable for the size of fish being caught.
• Wet hands or a wet cloth when handling fish, and the use of an unhooking mat and landing net.
• Minimising the time fish spend out of the water, and returning them carefully and promptly.
• Following the fishery's rules on hooks, nets, and keepnets.

6. Biosecurity and Invasive Species To stop the spread of invasive non-native species and fish diseases between waters, we follow the Angling Trust and Environment Agency "Check, Clean, Dry" guidance: nets, mats, and equipment are checked, cleaned, and dried between visits to different venues.

7. Protecting Habitat and Wildlife We ask everyone to:

• Keep to established swims and paths to avoid damaging bankside vegetation.
• Respect nesting birds, plants, and other wildlife, and keep noise and disturbance to a minimum.
• Never light fires or damage trees, reeds, or habitat.

8. Pollution Prevention We do not allow oils, chemicals, or other pollutants near the water, and bait and groundbait are used responsibly and in reasonable quantities.

9. Legal Compliance The Club and its members respect all relevant rules, including Environment Agency rod licence requirements, fishery rules, and any close seasons or byelaws that apply to the waters we fish.

10. Educating Young Anglers Caring for the environment is built into our coaching. Through the Club, juniors learn why clean waters and healthy fish stocks matter, and how their own actions make a difference — helping to create the next generation of responsible anglers.

11. Working With Our Venues and Partners We follow the rules and conservation measures set by the fisheries we use, and support the wider work of the Angling Trust and the Environment Agency in protecting the aquatic environment.

12. Policy Review This policy is reviewed annually and updated as necessary in line with best practice and legal requirements.

For any questions about this policy, please contact the Club Committee via our contact page.