Running a fishing club, commercial fishery or owning a private stretch of water or lake is complicated enough without having to worry about the law. If your fishing was damaged by pollution, fish disease, river works, over-abstraction or escaped farmed fish, who would you turn to? The ACA has an unparalleled reputation for protecting its member clubs and fishing owners who have suffered these and many other problems. Established in 1948, we use common law to fight polluters and anyone else who damages our members' fishing rights. We have won millions of pounds in compensation for our members, which has been spent on river habitat restoration and restocking. Despite taking on some of the largest companies in the country, we have only lost 3 cases in 57 years. We are currently fighting over 50 legal cases on behalf of our members, backed by our substantial fighting fund built up over 60 years.

So, why join?

• If disaster strikes and your waters are damaged, the ACA will fight your case from start to finish completely free of charge.

• Our legal team fights cases for our member clubs and fishery owners in the civil courts, where the burden of proof is much less than in the criminal courts. A judge only has to be 51% sure, rather than 99% sure, that damage has been caused for us to win.

• Civil compensation often dwarfs the fines resulting from criminal prosecutions by statutory agencies, which, by being a member, provides a very strong deterrent to would-be polluters of your water.

• The ACA takes on all the risks and costs of cases and you receive all the compensation won (donations are, of course, always welcome).

• The ACA will pay for the best independent experts, barristers, information requests and court fees.

• Even if we are forced to stop acting due to lack of evidence, you don't pay a penny for our service.

• Our in-house lawyers have a unique specialist knowledge of angling law and tactics for fighting cases.

• The ACA is supported by a voluntary legal committee comprising some of the UK's top lawyers.

• 875 fishing clubs and over 150 riparian and fishery owners have signed up for the unique protection the ACA has to offer.

• If you are a fishing club, your members will get £8 off their own minimum annual individual subscription to the ACA.

• In addition, the ACA will fight on your behalf for new and better legislation to protect fish and fishing.

• We will send you an annual report and 6 monthly updates to keep you informed about our work.

• We will send you a series of fact sheets on key issues related to angling and the law.

• The ACA's objectives include making polluters and others who damage the water environment pay, even if it means taking risks, so we're on your side.

• We are a not-for-profit organisation.

HOWEVER, WE CAN ONLY ACT FOR OUR MEMBERS - IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER, WE ARE LIMITED IN WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU !

What did the ACA do in 2007?

• Won total damages of £201,530 for our members in 34 separate cases. We continue to fight over 50 more.

• Gave free advice to over 140 different angling clubs and owners across the range of angling law. Secured a 5-year settlement of £500,000 for pollution on the River Wandle.

• Negotiated an agreement between an angling club on the Isle of Wight and the RSPB to ensure that angling could continue alongside a new nature reserve.

If you are interested in club, riparian or fishery owner membership, please contact Mark Lloyd, Executive Director of the ACA by telephone (01568-620447), in writing (ACA, Eastwood House, Rainbow Street, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6-8DQ) or by email (admin@a-c-a.org).

Alternatively, to sign up to the ACA, you can download a postal membership leaflet or join online using your debit, credit or Paypal account, by clicking the link below

Join Here. Today!