New Records Ratified by BRFC

New Records Ratified

The BRFC met at the Fishmongers Hall, London on 19th March 2007. Present were Ken Ball (Chairman and National Federation of Anglers), David Rowe (Secretary), Chris Clark (National Federation of Sea Anglers), Len Le Page (Guernsey Record Fish Committee), Oliver Crimmen (Natural History Museum), Scientific Advisor, Nigel Hewlett (Environment Agency), Scientific Advisor, Ian Epps (National Federation of Anglers), Mike Heylin (Specialist Anglers Alliance) & Andy Nellist (Specialist Anglers Alliance).

The following claims were ratified by the committee:

1.Evidence in support of claims

The committee had no choice at the present time but to rely on photographic evidence and agreed that whilst photographs could be of assistance in validating a claim they have certain limitations. In particular members of the committee had expressed concern that photographs were of limited use in verifying the size and species of a fish.

The use of DNA to verify claims for Roach, Rudd, Crucian Carp and Silver Bream was reviewed. The committee agreed that DNA testing could provide an affordable, accurate way to identify claims for these species. The use of DNA would remove the need for the captor to provide high quality photographs of their catch for identification purposes.

A significant issue which remains to be resolved is how DNA samples could be collected either by the captor or a third party. The committee discussed the possibility of using collectors to verify claims and collect DNA samples. Mike Heylin and Andy Nellist will be investigating the practicality of establishing a network of collectors for freshwater fish.

2.Recorded Weights

The record list will continue to record weights in metric and imperial but the list will clearly indicate which system was used by the captor to weigh the fish.

The weight recorded on the record list will in future be the weight that would have been recorded had the captor’s scales been accurate.

3.Web Hosting of the Record List

The committee agreed that the online version of the record list would in future be hosted by the SAA.

The record list web pages will be updated to include links to clearly defined protocols for weighing and photographing fish.

The next meeting of the committee will be in October 2007.

FishingMagic Note

Aims and Objects of BRFC
The Committee exists to recognise and publish record weights of both fresh and salt water fish caught on rod and line by fair angling methods in the waters of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and aims:

To provide an adjudicating body to which marine and freshwater anglers may submit claims for record fish taken by fair rod and line angling.

To investigate all such record claims to the fullest possible extent and maintain a permanent record of such investigations.

To establish and maintain accurately a list of British fish, marine and freshwater, of record size and to publish this list frequently and make it readily available to all interested persons.

The activities of the Committee are voluntary, and claims are considered and adjudicated upon, only on the basis that the Committee shall be under no obligation whatsoever to claimants, that its decisions shall be final, and it shall not be obliged to give reasons for its decisions.