Environmental focus at fishing competition community event

The Sea Angling Classic is holding a Crabbies’ Competition and Shoreline Clean Up at Portchester Sailing Club, Hampshire, on 21 May 2023. Open to all children and families from the surrounding area, the organiser says the aim of the event is to to bring the fishing competition’s environmentally friendly message to the local community.

The day will start at 9.00am with a litter picking initiative (litter pickers and buckets provided) from the sailing club along the shore around Portchester Castle. This will be followed with the crabbing competition at 12.00pm. 

All equipment and bait for the Crabbies’ Competition will be provided free of charge, and when the competition ends at 2.30pm prizes will be awarded to those who’ve caught the most crabs. Every crab will be returned to its watery home after being counted.

Ross Honey, managing director Angling Spirit, and Sea Angling Classic founder, says: “The primary aim of this fun, family friendly activity is to teach children about the idea of ‘catch and release’ and respect for the marine environment, as well as the importance of reducing our impact on the environment by keeping it tidy.

“It’s also a great opportunity for families to spend time together and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Portchester Castle while learning about the local marine life and safety on and by the water – something which is really important to what we’re doing.”

One of a number of events in the lead up to the main Sea Angling Classic competition in June, last year’s event saw over 200 children and their families take part in the crabbing competition at the heritage site near Portsmouth.

The Sea Angling Classic fishing competition takes place from Portsmouth in the waters of the Solent 14-18 June 2023. First prize in the recreational boat angling category will be a fully equipped Extreme 745 Game King boat and trailer, powered by a 300hp V6 Yamaha outboard engine.

“It’s events like the community crabbing competition, and the Sea Angling Classic’s shore clean up programme, that demonstrates its commitment to the environment as it continues to promote UK angling in a responsible and sustainable manner,” says Matt Taylerson, Yamaha‘s divisional manager, marketing.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with the Sea Angling Classic, alongside our boat partner Extreme Boats, as its environmental initiatives complement Yamaha’s own European wide Clean the Sea campaign, motivating people to care for the oceans and contributing greater awareness of the fragility of the marine ecosystem.”

Interested parties can sign up for Sea Angling Classic’s Crabbies’ Competition and Shoreline Clean Up via the website. Registration for the Sea Angling Classic is now open.

Last month (March 2023), the Sea Angling Classic kicked off a national tour to promote the competition, with the tour culminating on the 7 May 2023 at Gunwharf Quays Marina, Portsmouth, Hampshire.