Today (18 June), is the day to celebrate the peace and relaxation of one of the UK’s favourite pastimes – fishing!
National Go Fishing Day encourages us to take break from our busy lives by casting a line in the nearest stream, pond, lake or river.
The Fishing Industry is still an important part of the British economy. A report by the Marine Management Organisation, published in September 2023, revealed UK fishing vessels landed 640 thousand tonnes of sea fish with a value of £1billion in 2022.
It was also announced in December, the UK fishing industry will have access to 420,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities worth up to £700 million after agreements were reached with the EU and Norway.
Hadlow College is Kent’s only rural and land-based college and has a range of specialist fisheries facilities.
These include Grove Farm Fishing Lake, which is a 2-hectare mixed coarse fishing lake and growing on ponds. It operates as a commercial fishery and fish farm, providing students with practical skills in carp husbandry, modern fisheries management practises and all aspects of fish farming and relevant legislation.
Students are taught by lecturers who have worked in the industry in various sectors and will develop a range of skills including practical fishery management skills and design, knowledge of fish biology and health, disease identification and treatment, management of aquatic environments and the interactions that occur. Angling knowledge and skills are also developed whilst considering a range of angling skills and opportunities.
If you are interested in studying the subject visit the Fisheries Management page of the Hadlow College website.