The inherent danger of internet forums

We all experienced, a few months ago, the rapid spread of the swine flu alarm that peaked at the end of April 2009, creating a temporary crash in the stock market and widespread panic buying for medication, protection masks and foodstuff.
The scare not only caused a 5% two-day slump in some stock markets, it also [...]

Read Full Post »

Sport Fishing is not recognised by the International Olympic Committee; is it still a Sport?

As I stayed up at night and watched the undeniable success of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games; I couldn’t stop wondering why one of the supposedly most popular sports on the planet; one that counts 40 million participants in the USA alone, 25 million in Europe and so many more million in the rest of [...]

Read Full Post »

Whatever happened to voluntary work?

THE latest edition of the EFTTEX show that was held in Rome last June was a reflection of the current trends in effect in our European market.
A lot of effort, time and money were spent by most of those companies exhibiting in the show. Stands were generally very nice, with many companies and brands making [...]

Read Full Post »

EU to adopt English as the official language!

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.
As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known [...]

Read Full Post »

Rapala strengthens strategic alliance with Shimano

October 11, 2007 
Distribution Joint Venture for Russia and Ukraine
Rapala VMC Corporation (“Rapala”) and Shimano Inc. (“Shimano”), one of the leading manufacturers of rods and reels worldwide, have decided to strengthen their distribution alliance in Russia and Ukraine by establishing a 50/50 joint venture company in Finland, controlled by Rapala. This joint venture company, Rapala [...]

Read Full Post »

Report criticises Brussels fishing policy

By Andrew Bounds in Brussels. Published: September 27 2007
Europe’s fishing policy is “poor”, with its waters among the most overfished and the industry among the least profitable in the world, according to an internal European Commission study. View the whole article published in the Financial Times..

Read Full Post »

USA: Angling retains its mainstream appeal and broad economic impact

 September 26, 2007—Alexandria, VA—Despite competition from video games and other similar activities and increased urbanization, recreational angling remains one of the largest outdoor recreational activities in the nation as well as one of the most solid industries in the United States. Annually, nearly 40 million anglers generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a [...]

Read Full Post »

Eftta pledges action after sea fishing license scheme damages sales in Europe

The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) today urged governments across Europe to think carefully before introducing sea fishing licences, after it was revealed that the introduction of a licence scheme in Portugal has had a catastrophic effect on tackle sales in the country.The official trade body, EFTTA, which represents almost 300 manufacturers and wholesalers, [...]

Read Full Post »

Market collapses after new fishing law takes it toll!

Sales of fishing tackle have collapsed in Portugal following the introduction of the new legislation on sea fishing and the requirement for sea fishing licences. After years of heavy lobbying, the commercial fishermen have finally achieved their goal: To eliminate the competition by discouraging the Portuguese sea-fishermen from indulging in their favourite sport, thus guaranteeing [...]

Read Full Post »

Rapala plans to consolidate operations in France

July 2, 2007
Rapala VMC Corporation has today informed its labour representatives of its French distribution business units about plans to consolidate all French operations to Morvillars in the Eastern France. Today, the French distribution unit Ragot is located in Loudeac, Normandie, distribution unit Waterqueen and line supplier Tortue in Saint Marcel in Mid-France and hook [...]

Read Full Post »

“I only make movies to finance my fishing”. (Lee Marvin)

For those who sweated it out at the EFFTEX show in Prague and wondered why I was wearing shorts and a summer fishing shirt on the first day of the show; well, it’s because I analysed the information available in the EFTTA Newsline last march and could remember EFTTEX in Geneva.

I can understand the decision [...]

Read Full Post »

China; Rising to the challenge!

Olympic National Stadium, Beijing, Herzog and de Meuron, Arup Group, estimated completion 2008
I shall never forget my visit to the first CHINAFISH show in 1991.
The exhibition was held close to the entrance of the Forbidden City, right in the centre of Beijing.
I was driven to the show by an old man on a tricycle who [...]

Read Full Post »

Manifest for the Future of Recreational Fishing in Europe!

The time has come for the European Fishing Tackle Trade to invest into its future if it is to have a future!

Our European markets are depressed, we are losing participation.

Pollution, Over-Fishing and Fish Farming are directly responsible.

Recreational Fishing is not recognised by our European authorities for either its social or economic contribution as a [...]

Read Full Post »

The last Fisherman in Ireland

The man hadn’t caught a fish for three years now. The retired businessman had fished all his life. His father had transmitted the passion to him in his youth. He could still remember the delightful days spent fishing off the wonderful west coast of Ireland, in County Clare where he had been brought up.
As a [...]

Read Full Post »

Going Pan-European: Choices, decisions.

There are few alternatives these days for a European National Fishing Tackle Company than to aim towards the development of new sales in neighbouring countries.
Numerous are the European brands that are presently selling outside of their original market as companies are doing everything they can to generate positive growth inside an oversupplied and rapidly shrinking [...]

Read Full Post »

Wading into Europe: How deep is the water?

Launching a product or a range of new products throughout the European Market can resemble a steep hill climb for any manufacturer wishing to sell his production to the old continent.In this first article we shall cover the example of a fictitious medium size company, with little experience in the fishing tackle market.
Cobiaco, Ltd.; a [...]

Read Full Post »

Is it “business as usual” in Europe?

Now that the 2006 financial year has come to a close, it’s possible to make some first estimations of the current situation within the European market. The World Cup has certainly affected business this last season but cannot be ruled responsible for the general state of the trade.
All over Western Europe, dealers are entering into [...]

Read Full Post »

Small businesses cannot grow competitively within the EU

 The European Union is the N˚1 commercial power in the world. It represents 18% of the total volume of world imports and exports.
The USA account for 16% and Japan for 10%.
The globalization of commerce is putting great pressure on small European businesses due to mounting pressure from multinational companies that can afford to deal within [...]

Read Full Post »