The British Disabled Angling Association has created the Approved Fisheries Award Scheme to acknowledge those fisheries that have demonstrated their commitment to opening access and facilities on an inclusive basis, particularly for people with disabilities and in response to the difficulty in finding appropriate venues to run angling participation programmes organised by the BDAA and partner organisations.

There are two forms of recognition:

First there are the BDAA Associates Comments and Ratings created on this site, which are the result of feedback on experiences at fisheries where people with disability have visited or regularly use. These are placed on a listing for others to comment on a rating of the location, and others have the opportunity to challenge the rating by submitting one of their own.

Second there are the Approved Fisheries Award Scheme Awards which are the result of a full audit by the BDAA of a location, which is brought to attention through the website or by recommendation. Each location is subject to a formal evaluation procedure before being offered an Award.

There are four categories in which an Award can be made.

The four categories of Award are for Public, Commercial, Club and Not-for-Profit.

These four categories recognise that not all groups have the same resources available to make a location wholly accessible. Public waters would be considered more critically than Commercial waters, while Club would be considered less critically than both where these are river based. Not for Profit is a unique category and would be considered entirely on merit. We do not want this scheme to condemn those who have made the effort. By the same token we anticipate that comments and criticism, and the availability of the Awards would encourage incremental raising of standards across the UK. Commercial and Club facilities at pools or locations can be evaluated individually, rather than across an entire fishing portfolio.

Statutory authorities and agencies, as well as Departmental and local government, have a significant role to play in leading by example and on focusing resource where there is greatest gain in opening access to angling for all.

There are four standards of Award.

Awards are granted to four standards; Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum.

To be able to make a fair assessment of what amounts to full accessibility there are a range of criteria by which an overall judgment could be made. These criteria are:

  1. Safe surfaces, wheelchair friendly and a lack of obstacles.
  2. Car parking – designated spaces close to water and amenities.
  3. Toilets – provision for disabled.
  4. Café - which can be used for shelter and breaks.
  5. Shop with a good supply of fishing accessories and bait.
  6. Fishability – easy to catch a range of fish species.
  7. Number of pegs/platforms/swims to which access is suitable for all anglers – this may be considered as a proportion of all pegs/platforms/swims on a particular water or on the fishery as a whole.
  8. Cleanliness – of all areas, indoors and outdoors.
  9. Personal service – help on hand and personable advice to anyone whatever their ability.
  10. Upkeep of the area and attractive landscaping.
  11. Transport logistics / Location – access by public transport would be beneficial.
  12. Outreach programmes – that there is a positive effort to encourage and support new users and the development of beginner anglers to improve their angling skills. This would be enhanced with outreach to schools and community organisations, including disabled organisations.

See what angling locations are on the BDAA Associate Fishery Ratings section.

To see AFAS fisheries around the UK click here to view our Google map

If you are a BDAA associate, to rate an angling location that you have visited and you want to comment on that experience click here.

If you wish to register an angling location for a formal BDAA Approved Fisheries Award click here