The Angling Trust has launched the Estuary Water Quality Monitoring Network - an innovative step forward in our mission to protect the waters we fish and love. This new initiative builds on the success of our Water Quality Monitoring Network, a cornerstone of the Anglers Against Pollution campaign, which has enabled nearly 10,000 citizen-led pollution tests in rivers across England and Wales over the past three years.

Estuaries - where freshwater meets the sea - are vital nursery grounds for fish and essential habitats for wildlife. Yet they remain some of the least monitored and understood environments, largely due to the complexity of tracking water quality in such dynamic systems. Alarmingly, 81% of England’s estuaries fail to meet Water Framework Directive standards for good water quality, underscoring the urgent need for action.

Earlier this year, we ran a successful pilot project on the Ribble Estuary with the help of dedicated volunteers, showing that, with the right tools and training, anglers can play a key role in safeguarding these ecosystems. We are now expanding the project nationwide and inviting clubs and angling organisations to get involved.

The Estuary Water Quality Monitoring Network will be the first citizen science programme of its kind, placing anglers at the forefront of estuary protection.