Biosecurity & Environmental Policy

Guardians of the water, not just users of it.

Entity: School Of Fish

Jurisdiction: United Kingdom

Date of Review: 01/01/2026

Next Review Date: 01/01/2027

1. Policy Statement

School Of Fish recognises that angling relies entirely on a healthy aquatic environment. We are committed to protecting the UK's waterways from the threats of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS), fish diseases, and pollution.

Our mission is not only to teach people how to catch fish but how to be guardians of the water environment. We pledge to operate sustainably and to instil a "Leave No Trace" ethos in every Junior Angler and Trainee Coach we educate.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All Staff & Volunteers: Who must model best practice.
• Trainee Coaches: For whom biosecurity is a core competency module.
• Participants: Who are expected to follow our rules regarding litter and equipment.
• Venues: All lakes, rivers, and canals used by School Of Fish.

3. Biosecurity: The "Check, Clean, Dry" Protocol

To prevent the spread of devastating invasive species (for example, Killer Shrimp, Signal Crayfish, Floating Pennywort) and diseases (for example, Koi Herpes Virus, KHV), strictly adhere to the Check, Clean, Dry campaign:

3.1 Equipment (Nets, Mats, Slings, Waders)

• CHECK: Before leaving the bankside, check all equipment, footwear, and clothing for mud, aquatic animals, or plant material. Remove anything found and leave it at the site.
• CLEAN: Wash equipment thoroughly as soon as possible. Use hot water (above 45°C) if available, or high-pressure spray.
• DRY: Dry all equipment thoroughly before using it at a different venue. Some invasive species can survive for weeks in damp nets.

3.2 Venue-Specific Nets

• Where a fishery provides its own landing nets, keepnets, or unhooking mats, School Of Fish will always use the venue's equipment in preference to our own.
• If we must use our own nets, they must be dipped in the fishery's disinfectant tank (if provided) for the recommended time (usually 10+ minutes) prior to fishing.

3.3 Transfer of Fish (Illegal Activity)

• Under no circumstances will fish be moved from one water body to another. This is an offence under the Keeping and Introduction of Fish Regulations 2015.
• Livebaiting is not permitted at any School Of Fish session or venue. No live fish are to be used or moved as bait.

4. Environmental Stewardship

4.1 Litter and Waste

• Zero Tolerance: We operate a strict "Pack It In, Pack It Out" policy.
• Discarded Line: All waste nylon or braid must be cut into small pieces and placed in a sealed bin or pocket immediately. Discarded line is a death trap for waterfowl.
• The Plus One Rule: We encourage all participants to pick up their own litter plus one piece of litter left by someone else, leaving the peg cleaner than we found it.

4.2 Lead Weights

• In compliance with UK law (to protect swans and waterfowl from lead poisoning), School Of Fish generally uses non-toxic weights.
• Lead shot (sizes 8 to SSG) is strictly prohibited. Only non-toxic alternatives (for example, tungsten, stotz) are permitted.

4.3 Bankside Erosion & Vegetation

• Fishing spots (pegs) should be used as defined. We do not trample reeds or hack back vegetation to create new spots.
• Care is taken not to damage bankside habitats which may be home to water voles or nesting birds.

5. Fish Welfare

Treating our quarry with respect is paramount to the philosophy of School Of Fish.

• Handling: Fish should only be handled with wet hands to preserve their protective slime coat.
• Unhooking: All fish must be unhooked on a padded unhooking mat or soft grass, never on hard gravel or wooden platforms.
• Deep Hooking: If a fish is deep-hooked and the hook cannot be easily removed, the line must be cut as close to the hook as possible. Attempting to force a hook out kills fish.
• Return: Fish must be returned to the water gently and allowed to recover their balance before being released. They must never be thrown.

6. Educational Responsibilities

As a training school, we integrate environmental education into our sessions:

• Junior Sessions: Coaches will dedicate time to explaining why we don't litter and identifying local wildlife (for example, Kingfishers, Dragonflies).
• Coach Training: Trainees will be assessed on their knowledge of biosecurity risks and their ability to teach the "Check, Clean, Dry" procedure to clients.

7. Reporting Pollution & Incidents

Staff are trained to recognise signs of environmental distress. We act as eyes and ears for the Environment Agency.

Emergency Hotline: We will report the following immediately to the Environment Agency Hotline on 0800 80 70 60:

• Dead or gasping fish (suspected pollution or oxygen crash).
• Pollution entering the water (oil, sewage, slurry).
• Illegal fishing activity (poaching).

Spotted Pollution or Concern?

Call the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60, or let us know.

info@schooloffish.co.uk