The Professional Coarse Fisheries Association was formed early in 1994 after a series of meetings between owners of some of the UK's larger commercial fisheries who believe that, as angling was the fastest-growing sector of the leisure market, their interests and those of the sport would best be served if they acted under the umbrella of a national body.

Originally named the Commercial Coarse Fisheries Association, it changed its name in Autumn 2005 to reflect more accurately the changes seen in the sport over the past few years and the ambitions of fishery owners who believe in offering sport on modern well run venues where quality of service go hand in hand with wildlife conservation and fishery welfare.