This information is taken from the ECHO leaflet!The aims of ECHO are as follows:-
*Eradicate the barbaric trade of illegally imported carp
*Lobby to toughen legislation governing importation of carp into this country
*Broaden public awareness of our carp angling heritage
*Encourage younger carp anglers to participate in protecting our heritage for future generations

Hope this may answer a few questions!

Cheers John H

Surely we all agree that those are 4 excellent reasons to join?

Don't we?

I think the question Axe and others are asking is HOW they intend to pursue these general aims......

Their position on the continuation of legal imports which historically form the basis of our 'heritage' is also a tad ambiguous...some are against all imports it seems, some for...

Can anyone tell me how ECHO's aims are any different from the Carp Society's?

As Paul has hinted, the Carp Society recently(see Carp News 23/7) has announced the formation of a round table discussion group made up from the various like minded organisations concerned including ECHO.
How this will work in practice is anyones guess,will it be the "more the merrier" or a case of "Too many cooks..." we`ll have to wait and see.

id like to make this clear from the start.. i am NOT speaking on behalf of the E.C.H.O steering commitie... all i do is pay my money to what i see as a very worthy cause !
but...how do E.C.H.O intend to persue these general aims ?
through the legal channels. parliment. and raising the angling publics general awareness.

1... eradicate the barbaric trade of illegally imported carp.

A... by getting heavier fines for those caught.possibly taking away their rights to run their own fisheries.
B... by raising the public awareness.. giving people information where possible. for example... the ammount of fish that will survive being illegally transported, to those that will die. the conditions which these fish will have to go through while being transported.

2..lobby to toughen legislation governing importation of carp into this country.

A... by stopping private individuals/ angling clubs/ private syndicates from directly importing fish from the continent. the aim is not to stamp out all importation...but if it were to be done through fish farms only.. there would be tighter controls... and therfore less chance of an illegal or two being slipped in at the same time.

3... broaden public awareness of our carp angling heritage.

A... bob richards, richard walker, jack hilton, chris yates, redmire, ashlea pool, savay darenth (in days gone by)....our very roots. our history.

4... encourage younger carp anglers to participate in protecting our heritage for future generations.

A... to premote carp fishing in general. to premote good fish care. to educate those new to the sport on "safe" rigs...etc..

paul. can you tell us the carp societys aims. and how much of an impact they achived, before E.C.H.O, with stopping the illegal importation of forign fish ?

kevin. like minded organisations ? i belive some that attended the meeting knowingly fish for illegal imports... but then again.. i may be wrong.

..Carptalk 10th October 2002...
"ECHO tip-off puts stop to potential smuggling activities"
Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk

Reckon you`ll find the aims and ideals of ECHO go back to the very foundations of the CS in 81 along with SSA/SACG and NASA/NASG.
ECHO have already admitted that they will be relying on the SAA`s expertise on handling legal matters and dealing with the NAA and Gov`t depts.
Where ECHO should score is in the setting up of a grass roots network to observe and report on fisheries and their owners both here and aboard.
The new Carp Angling Conservation Forum aims to try and tie all these activities together so that some degree of co-ordination is achievable.
It was realised years ago by the NASA/NASG that you can`t have a assembly of competing groups each with their own agenda trying to represent the sport.

Precisely Kevin...

The groups should merge to provide greater strength in numbers and influence....

Back in the 80's The Carp Society did indeed fill a hole and many carp anglers embraced the notion of becoming part of something fresh, positive, enthusiastic and with genuine ideals. A refreshing chance to break away from the oppresive regimes run by Peter Mohan where his word was not to be questioned. For various reasons, which we all have our own ideas about, the progress stagnated. I believe ECHO has emerged because of a growing desire by an increasingly concerned number of anglers to safeguard the future of carp fishing in this country. Undoubtedly, working parties with other groups are the way forward. At least things are moving in the right direction. I for one applaud that.

that still doesnt answer my question to paul kevin.
stopping the illegal importation of big carp.. 40lb..50lb and even 60lb fish doesnt strech back 21 years ! and that is the very reason that makes a mockery of our carp fishing heritage.
60lb fish i hear you ask !... yeah.. 60lb fish...
personally i agree..and obviously so does the steering commitie of E.C.H.O.. that if everyone groups together.. a united voice... it will open more doors in the political arena. thats the very same reason why E.C.H.O has opened it own doors to everyone...
i wasnt taking you to task kevin..
my point was...how can someone join a party to try to put a stop to illegal imports... when the next time they go fishing its to try and catch fish that legally shouldnt be here ?

and you missed out said party anyway !