EA invests heavily in angling, after nearly a million rod licences sold!
A NEW Environment Agency report shows that a whopping £48 million has been invested into angling to help the sport to grow.
The figures come from the EA’s Annual Fisheries Report, which shows that it used the money generated from rod licence sales as well as Government grants to undertake a wealth of projects, including stocking of over half a million fish into our lakes and rivers, installing dozens of fish passes to help migratory species, and helping to protect fisheries from predation and otters.
A whopping £48 million has been invested into UK angling
Around £20 million of the total was raised by rod licence sales, of which 940,974 were sold in the year to March 31, 2020. This was supplemented by a further £28 million in partner contributions and additional Government funding.
Kevin Austin, Deputy Director for Fisheries at the EA, urged anglers to continue their support of the EA by purchasing a licence for the new season ahead:
“Income from licence sales is used to fund vital work to improve and protect our fisheries and fish.
“Income generated is invested directly back into the angling community, improving fish stocks, boosting opportunities for anglers as well as working with partners to make it easier for anyone to take up fishing.”
“Income from licence sales is used to fund vital work to improve and protect our fisheries and fish.”
With an estimated 100,000 people having taken up angling since lockdown began, the EA’s coffers are expected to swell further in the current financial year, and the Agency is planning an increase in spending on projects that benefit anglers and fisheries following the boom in licence sales. This includes further investment in fisheries improvement, events to boost participation, and added protection against predators.
Heidi Stone, the EA’s Fisheries Partnership Manager, is hopeful that fishing’s popularity will continue to soar.
“In 2020, we saw an exceptional increase in licence sales as people rediscovered fishing,” she said.
“We anticipate that fishing will continue to be popular after bringing such benefits to people’s mental and physical wellbeing.”
What the money was spent on
500,000 - Roach, dace, chub, barbel, tench, rudd, bream and grayling stocked
515km - Amount of river habitat improved, alongside 185 hectares of stillwater
58 - Fish passes installed
40,000 - People encouraged to try fishing for the first time, across 1,525 angling participation events
135 - Fisheries Improvement Programme projects to enhance facilities
2,000 - Collaborative projects, with partners including local angling clubs and river trusts
27 - Projects to protect fisheries from otters and cormorants
West Midlands leads licence growth boom
THE WEST Midlands accounted for the biggest rise in newcomers to angling in 2020, new figures have shown.
At the end of November 2020, there were just over 151,000 full licence holders in that region, a rise of 17 per cent over 12 months, with the region of Greater Manchester and Merseyside showing the next biggest increase (up 16.4 per cent to 86,000), followed by Cumbria and Lancashire (up 15.5 per cent to 45,000).
The figures, released by the Environment Agency, revealed that a further 12 regions showed an increase in participation during that timeframe, helping to contribute to an overall rise of 108,000 in the number of rod licence holders.
The West Midlands remains the region with the most overall licence holders, followed by East Anglia (133,000) and Yorkshire (105,000).
The EA also revealed how the overall growth in sales has continued in the months leading up to Christmas, in spite of the Covid pandemic and unfavourable weather conditions.
A spokesperson for the Agency told us:
“Despite traditionally being a quieter time of year for fishing, in October, 36,851 people bought a fishing licence, and a further 18,928 licences were sold in November.”
Rod licence sales continue to boom!
"A reality check is overdue on the price of fishing. It’s amazing value" - Dom Garnett
Complaining about the cost of living was a national obsession well before any pandemic, but you do wonder sometimes when it comes to the value of fishing.
Yes, it can cost a bomb if you want to join a carp syndicate or fly fish the chalkstreams. And yes, many of us instantly double the cost by accumulating enough tackle for three people. But is the cost of going fishing really so terrible?
I had to chuckle wryly to myself the other day as regulars at a day-ticket lake moaned about parting with eight quid. The last time I went to a fourth tier football match I paid three times that amount just for a seat, and still had to fork out for a pint and a match day programme.
My last day-ticket fishing session was a case in point. I was fishing a pretty rural lake and all I needed to get bites for pretty much the whole of an enjoyable morning was a pint of maggots and a few worms from the compost heap.
I have no desire to stir up a hornet’s nest here, but perhaps a reality check is overdue on the price of fishing.
Our sport offers incredible value for money. Thirty quid for an annual licence is not even 60p a week, and kids are free. Yearly club tickets can be had for well under £50 in most areas. So why do some of us still talk of daylight robbery? Do these people never take the wife to the pictures or pick up the tab on a family meal out?
Thirty quid for an annual licence is not even 60p a week
Coarse and carp anglers, I have to say, are especially curmudgeonly on this score. As an all-rounder I quite regularly pay £20-£50 for a day’s fly fishing on a beautiful river or lake (I really should work harder on my Z-list celebrity status to get more freebies!).
Is the same fee really so unthinkable just because I happen to be casting a stick float or feeder?
In an era where the country creaks with debt and jobs are uncertain, it’s inevitable that people start to sigh about the price of everything from bacon baps to city centre parking.
Yes, there is real hardship out there and it can be brutal on families. But could it be that a huge part of angling’s massive Covid-era resurgence is the incredible value our sport offers? Perhaps it’s time we asked an honest question or two, therefore. Yes, the price tag of a day’s fishing can vary from “a fiver if I catch you” to three figures; but what’s the true value of a day’s fishing?
What price those few hours of anticipation, relaxation and excitement?
Far from being a rip off, our sport is an absolute steal.
What’s the true value of a day’s fishing?
Fisheries set for busiest winter ever as licence sales soar...again!
THE BOOM in angling participation has shown no signs of slowing down this month, with many venues reporting unprecedented numbers of visitors for the time of year.
After angling’s busiest-ever summer, it was anticipated that numbers on the bank would tail off as temperatures started to fall, but reports suggest quite the opposite, with fisheries saying business is still booming.
Surrey’s Bury Hill Fishery is one of the venues enjoying a productive autumn, as staff member Ian Chennell revealed:
“I’d say there’s probably a 40 per cent increase on the usual numbers we’d experience at this time of year. We sold a lot of memberships for our carp and predator waters, and these anglers keep coming back.
“In particular, we’ve had a lot more people interested in catching pike and zander, so as the temperatures fall, we hope these guys will keep fishing for these winter species.”
A similar trend has been witnessed further north at East Yorkshire’s Starcarr Lakes.
“We’ve had unprecedented numbers on our banks” said fishery boss Shane Turrell.
“I expect things to drop off a bit more when it gets really cold and the bream begin to back off, but if only half the people come who are currently visiting, we’ll still be doing much better than usual.”
In addition to the continued surge in bankside numbers, the Environment Agency has reported yet another boom in rod licence sales, with 36,851 people buying or renewing their licence in October.
This suggests the influx of newcomers to the sport is continuing unabated. An EA spokesperson told us:
“Despite colder weather, we continue to see thousands of people buying licences. We hope this shows that the current popularity of fishing isn’t just a summer trend but the revival of a much-loved sport.”
People can’t get enough of fishing and now look set to hit the banks all winter too!
Extra £1.35m to be invested in fishery projects
Following a boom in rod licence sales this summer, the Environment Agency revealed that £1.35m of additional income will be invested in fishery projects, with an extra £400,000 being pumped into fish farming and research.
The news follows hot debate on where the new income should go, and it seems that the EA is investing it to safeguard the future of our sport.
An EA spokesperson told us:
“Securing £1.35m will benefit our angling community, as it will go to our Fisheries Improvement Programme and the Angling Improvement Fund (AIF) to support local projects across England.
“These projects have already had a big impact, with the AIF helping to fund more than 500 angling projects.
“An additional £400,000 will go towards new equipment at the National Fisheries Laboratory, Calverton Fish Farm and new technology to monitor fish populations.”
The EA is reviewing where further income will be allocated. Watch this space for further developments.
To submit a proposal for the Angling Improvement Fund, visit: www.anglingtrust.net/aif
The money has been generated from a boom in rod licence sales
Post-lockdown rod licence sales soaring - where should the money go?
THE ENVIRONMENT Agency has been handed the chance to tackle some of the biggest issues facing fishing after receiving millions of pounds in extra income.
In the four weeks following the lifting of lockdown restrictions on May 13, more than 335,000 rod licences were sold, a 230 per cent rise in less than two months and 200,000 more than were sold in the corresponding period last year.
In the four weeks following the lifting of lockdown restrictions on May 13, more than 335,000 rod licences were sold
Newcomers to the sport accounted for the majority of the spike in sales, but there is nothing particularly new about the major issues facing angling. Anglers have been crying out for authorities to address growing problems with issues such as water quality and predation, but they aren’t the only problems and now a debate has begun on how the extra cash should best be spent.
The EA will obviously have its work cut out trying to please everyone, so we asked fishery owners, club officials and some of angling’s unsung heroes to tell us where they think the money should go.
Chris Wood, Shrewsbury Angling Club Secretary
SPEND IT ON: Improving river fishing
“The money should be put back into rivers and supporting angling clubs. There are several ways to do this, but the most important is by making fisheries safer. By this I mean building platforms along stretches to make river fishing comfortable and accessible. Clambering down steep banks and cutting your way through a jungle isn’t for everyone, particularly when so many of us are used to sitting by a manicured commercial where you can park next to your peg.
“River fishing’s popularity is on the rise – our club is completely full, with a 300-angler waiting list – so we need to make our rivers accessible to all. By building more platforms you get more bums on the bank so you can police a stretch more easily, as anglers can report anything dodgy.”
We need to make our rivers accessible to all
Mark Barrow ,underwater cameraman for Beneath British Waters
SPEND IT ON: Tackling the major polluters
“The key area to address is the amount of pollution that goes into our rivers, particularly sewage. I’ve been diving and filming in rivers for 30 years and in the past, I’d film shoals of grayling that were 300-strong. Nowadays in the same areas I find small pockets of 15 or so fish at best.
“I’m sure that all the pollution that enters our rivers is having a negative impact and there needs to be a combined effort between the EA, water companies and all other forces to tackle the problem. There are other issues, of course, but sorting the rivers themselves should be the primary objective.
“I’d like to add that the EA gets a lot of stick, but it does some fantastic work. Its people on the ground are just as frustrated and passionate about all this as we are. The problems may be at the top.”
Do the EA need to take a harder stance on polluters?
Bryan Dray, Wellingborough & District Nene AC Youth Coach
SPEND IT ON: More coaching facilities for juniors and newcomers
“It should be spent on funding grassroots level coaching. We’ve seen a phenomenal number of juniors and newcomers get into fishing this year and we need to keep them interested in angling.
“We’ve got 300 juniors in our club, and our coaching sessions have been key in getting these guys interested. The problem is having the funds to keep it all going.
“It’s been so busy that I’ve pretty much had to give up my day job. We’re also in need of more tackle for the kids to use, as well as a van to transport it.
“If we can continue supporting young anglers and keep encouraging more to the sport, we’ll be able to keep fishing on a healthy grounding for generations to come.”
We’ve seen a phenomenal number of juniors and newcomers get into fishing this year and we need to keep them interested in angling
Kevin Clark, Founder of The Angling Initiative project
SPEND IT ON: Policing our waters better
“I’d love to see the extra money spent on better policing for our rivers. Take my local River Wye for example. It suffers badly from poaching, like many waterways, but it also suffers from other so-called water users doing what they like, with little fear of prosecution.
“In recent years the river has been plagued by high levels of phosphates entering the river from neighbouring farmlands, causing terrible algal blooms, which have a detrimental impact on the water quality.
“There’s also an issue with the amount of water from the river being used for irrigation purposes from various interests along the Wye valley, which the river can’t support. It’s caused some of the lowest water levels I’ve seen in decades, and the fishing has suffered as a result.
“The EA needs to contact the local farmers, make them aware of the problems being caused, and start to do something about it. I’m sure many other rivers are suffering a similar fate...”
May waterways suffer badly from poaching
Licence price freeze for 2021
The Environment Agency has revealed that rod licence prices will remain the same for the fifth year running, continuing to offer excellent value for money at just £30 for an annual permit.
While most anglers welcomed the decision, it didn’t go down well with all, as some were hoping for a form of compensation for missed fishing time during the lockdown earlier this year. The EA, however, supports its decision, citing the vital work that licences fund.
“The income from licence sales is vital for work including protecting habitats for fish, restocking rivers and improving facilities,” a spokesperson said.
“By keeping prices affordable, we also want to encourage as many people as possible to join this highly-rewarding sport.”
Licence prices have been frozen for the last five years
Adult licences will cost £30 for two rods and £45 for three, junior licences (13-17) are free and under 13s don’t need a licence. Concessions also available.
Take a Friend Fishing Scheme Extended
THE HUGELY popular Take a Friend Fishing (TAFF) initiative is being extended right through the summer months, Angling Times can exclusively reveal.
The scheme, run by the Angling Trust and Environment Agency, allows rod licence holders to take one person fishing free of charge, and ran for just over a fortnight last month.
Now, in an unprecedented move, it is being extended to run from August 14 to October 4 to accommodate the surge in angling participation following lockdown, and also to help nurture future generations of anglers.
Jamie Cook, chief executive of the Trust, is delighted by the news. He said:
“It’s a proactive step to grow participation, and we need to seize this opportunity which allows both experienced and new anglers, as well as those returning to the sport, the chance to share the experience and help their friends and families take that first step towards establishing a fishing habit.”
A raft of tackle companies have been quick to throw their weight behind the scheme.
Mat Woods, brand manager at Korum, is well aware of the long-term benefits the extension could bring:
“These remarkable times are providing an insight into how many anglers there could be. We’ve all dreamed of these numbers, and so our focus must now shift towards retaining them. Let’s forge ahead while we’ve got the wind in our sails, and let’s do it together!” he said.
These sentiments were echoed by Korda’s Ali Hamidi, who added:
“The sport deserves to thrive – the mental and physical benefits it brings are phenomenal – and we should all help others to get involved.”
Time to take a friend fishing!