The Port of Dover has been working closely with the Dover Sea Angling Association (DSAA) to run a carefully conducted trial fishing event which took place on the Admiralty Pier this weekend, Saturday 16th October.
70 anglers took part in the full day test event and provided the Port and local anglers with an opportunity to pilot a new set of security procedures that have been agreed by the Port and DSAA to enable safe and secure fishing.
The event will now be reviewed to determine how parameters for future public access to the Admiralty Pier may be able to take place.
Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover said: “It was great to see our local fishing community attend the event with enthusiasm and an open mind, ready to trial the new procedures that should now enable fishing in Dover to continue.
“My thanks go to the DSAA and the Angling Trust for working with us to ensure that anglers have been involved at every stage of the planning as we worked towards an acceptable solution. I am hopeful that a new set of parameters can be developed from the trial event that may enable local fishing to be returned to the pier, whilst allowing us to adhere to the tighter security requirements that come in today’s world with the Port being a site of critical national and international infrastructure.”
Doug Bannister
Richard Yates, Chairman of the DSAA said: “A very enjoyable day was had by all of our anglers. The huge social and health benefits of angling were very clearly visible at the event with a number of the disabled anglers fishing for the first time since the pier was closed, the smiles, laughter and banter was wonderful to see.
“We are very grateful to the Port for working with us to find a solution to allow local anglers to continue to fish from a much loved venue. Hopefully lots has been learned from the day by both sides that will enable our draft agreement to be signed off and for angling to resume on the pier. We look forward to meeting the Port in the coming days.”
Richard Yates
Stuart Singleton-White, Head of Campaigns at the Angling Trust added: “It’s been great to see anglers back on Admiralty Pier after such a long absence and to have worked with the Harbour Board to make this possible. We looking forward to seeing the success of this trial day translate into the full reopening of the pier in a way that accommodates the security needs of the Port at this time.”
Stuart Singleton-White