A YEAR of responsible angling by ten-year-old fisherman Harley Richardson has earned the Isle of Wight youngster a special award.

Harley, a member of the Vectis Boating and Fishing Club (VBFC), has been named the winner of this year’s Wightlink Trophy for Most Responsible Angler.

Each year, Wightlink awards the trophy to the young angler who has impressed the club with their commitment to responsible angling.

The trophy is part of Wightlink’s support for the local community and also reflects the company’s wish to promote good practice while fishing from Ryde Pier.

Colin Webb, of VBFC, said: “Harley really deserves this award. The fish he caught were always treated with respect, carefully wrapped in a towel before being gently returned to the water after measuring.

“He also was very conscious of keeping the area he was fishing tidy and was careful to return any weed caught to the sea to help keep the pier clean and safe.”

Colin says Harley, of Ryde and a Greenmount Primary pupil, also always entered competitions in good humour, listened to advice he received and was always polite.

Dean Murphy, Wightlink’s head of port operations, said: “We are very keen to encourage young people to take up outdoor pursuits and are pleased that Harley — along with other club members — is doing just and in a way that is respectful of the pier and the environment.

“We have a long-standing and positive relationship with the fishing club and we are delighted to support the great work they do with local young people.”

Last year’s winner of the Wightlink Award for Responsible Angling was Ryde Academy student Liam Forbes, 12.