Permitting angling will be great for the UK economy

ONE of the main benefits of angling highlighted in the recent Angling Trust report provided to Government officials, was the money the sport brings in.

Fishing makes a substantial contribution to the UK economy

Generating £4 billion annually, angling makes a substantial contribution to the UK economy and is one of our most popular pastimes.

Some 40,000 jobs are linked to fishing through either, manufacturing, retailing, distribution or fishery management.

Fisheries management creates thousands of jobs

In the ‘When We Fish Again’ report, the Trust called upon the findings of The European Anglers Alliance, who suggested that in Holland, where fishing has continued to be permitted throughout the pandemic, the contribution to the economy has nearly trebled.

The lack of anglers on the bank throughout the lockdown has also seen an increase in vandalism, fish theft and poaching, which has economic impacts on fisheries and our enforcement services.

Korda and Embryo boss, Danny Fairbrass, was keen to comment on this issue, in the report he said:

“We have 25 lakes from Yorkshire to Oxfordshire, and almost every one has been vandalised or fished illegally during lockdown.
Our staff and volunteers have spent significant time repairing damaged fences and providing a human presence to deter vandals and poachers.
Property has been stolen, and we have serious concerns that some of our fish may have been stolen as well.
Fellow fishery owners across the UK have complained of similar illegal activity, forcing them out of isolation to protect their livelihood.
With fishing safely re-introduced this would eradicate all of these issues overnight.”

The Trust reinforced the point that anglers themselves are they eyes and ears of our waterways, and letting them return to the banks will ease the pressure on public services.

To read the full report, please visit Angling Trust.

The Angling Trust’s Volunteer Bailiff Service patrolling the banks