The Angling Trust is a not-for-profit organisation, representing anglers, fighting for fish, fishing and the environment. It is recognised by the Government as the National Governing Body for angling in England and partners with Visit Wales and NRW to promote fishing in Wales.

It is a member-based organisation made up of anglers of all disciplines providing a united front to represent, grow and protect the sport.

The Angling Trust has more than 20,000 members, its member clubs have more than 300,000 anglers and there are three million anglers in the UK. In a bid to reduce drownings in rivers and canals and to help everyone enjoy the water safely, the Royal Life Saving Society UK and the Anglers Trust formed a strategic partnership.

It will enable us to reach the angling communities and their families with vital water safety messages. It will see the two organisations work together to help enhance their abilities to achieve their aims by sharing knowledge, resources and insight to help to ensure those enjoying our canals, rivers and streams have the right skills and knowledge to keep themselves and others safe.

Based on the Water Accident Incident Database (WAID) statistics over a five-year period (2018-2022) from the National Water Safety Forum:

• In the last 5 years, 41 people in the UK accidentally lost their life to drowning whilst angling.
• 68% of these accidental fatalities occurred inland, 32% at the coast.
• 49% of accidental fatalities of those angling, occurred on a Saturday or Sunday.
• In 98% of cases the person unexpectedly fell or was swept into the water.
• 98% of those that lost their lives were male.

In addition to the work that will take place to reach the angling communities and their families, RLSS UK will also provide bespoke training packages to Angling Trust staff and volunteers to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to know what to do in an emergency if someone is in trouble in the water.

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