Don't panic rod licence sales may just be a statistical blip

Despite an apparent decline in the numbers of those who fish, it’s not all doom and gloom, Angling Times can reveal

The  Environment Agency has revealed that during August there was a 14 per cent decline in licence sales compared to the same time last year. 

However, according to an EA spokesman there are several important factors to be taken into account regarding the figures.

“These monthly comparison figures don’t take into account the popular introduction of the 365-day licence and three-rod licence.” he said. 

“We know these licences have changed sales patterns and we will be able to make an accurate comparison next April. The Environment Agency produces figures for fishing licence sales each financial year. The new figures won’t be available until April 2019, when we can make accurate year-on-year comparions .”

While acknowledging that now is not the best time to assess the data, the Angling Trust has called for all branches of the sport to pull together to reverse the situation. The Trust’s Chief Executive, Mark Lloyd, commented: “We need stronger engagement from the angling trade and from government if we are to make progress. 

“We need to make angling part of young people’s everyday lives and we will campaign and build programmes to get angling into the school curriculum and part of the growing Scouts and Guides movement.

“With these stats in mind, it’s worth recognising that despite the many challenges facing angling it’s important to remain positive and fully support strategies aimed at bringing newcomers to the sport.”

He also mentioned cultural changes that have led to a decline in participation of other sports, including football and tennis. 

Highlights of the Trust’s efforts to increase participation in angling include over 1,800 events held across the country which introduced over 47,000 adults and 30,000 juniors to
the sport. 

In addition to these events, the Environment Agency is constantly working on developing a National Angling Strategy aimed at conveying the health and social benefits of angling, and how it can be used to help drive environmental improvements.