Anglers have voted to scrap the close season AS it stands

Anglers have voted to scrap the close season on rivers.

But just a quarter of those rod licence holders polled by the Environmental Agency took part in the survey..

The EA rolled out the questionnaires to a selected 20,000 anglers asking for their view on the closed season and released the figures today.

The returns revealed that out of those 20,000 only 5,147 anglers took part, 2,553 (49.6%) of said the closed season should be scrapped from rivers and 2,190 (42.5%) preferred to see it remain in force.

Out of the 2,553 anglers who wanted to scrap the close season, 1,695 of them wanted it totally abolished with the remaining 858 wanting a change to the starting and closing date on rivers.

The number of anglers who voted for a change to the close season means the EA will now open up a further consultation process to all anglers and other parties with an interest in fishery management.

Kevin Austin, Deputy Director for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment at the EA, said: “We are grateful to all those that took part in the survey. The fact that so many did shows how important this is to anglers. It also means the results are statistically robust and is a true reflection of anglers’ views.

“We plan to hold a consultation later in the year which will examine all the arguments and

evidence, to help inform any future change in the close season byelaw.”

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust, welcomed the EA’s decision to carry out a full consultation of all anglers.

He said: “The Angling Trust will not take any formal position in lobbying for or against any changes in the river close season but we strongly believe that the views of all anglers should be taken into account and are pleased that this important issue is now going out to full consultation.

“It will doubtless arouse some strong feelings on all sides but as an angling community we shouldn’t be frightened to debate, scrutinise and examine the evidence for the laws that affect and govern our sport.”