One of the questions anglers ask the Environment Agency (EA) most often is “how do you spend our fishing licence money?” There is no short answer to that question, as every year we strive to make a real difference for our fisheries and anglers through an array of activities.
In our newly-published Annual Fisheries Report for 2018 to 2019, we outline the extent of work undertaken thanks to this important source of funding.
During the financial year 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019, we sold 955,310 fishing licences. This generated an income of £21,347,795. We also received £1,100,000 grant-in-aid from central government.
In fact, we spend far more than we receive, by being able to attract funding from other parts of the Environment Agency, government and our external partners. For every £1 of fishing licence money we invested in projects, we secured an additional £28.67 worth of additional investment to improve fisheries and develop fishing opportunities.
The Report gives details on all the work we do, including vital work with our brilliant network of approximately 1,700 partners. These include organisations involved in angling such as the Angling Trust, Canal and Rivers Trust, as well as a large number of local angling clubs, fishery owners, local councils and charities. With the support of our partners, we are able to deliver far more, ensuring that every pound from the licence fee income is used to its full potential.
The work we do includes an array of diverse actions, ranging from fisheries enforcement, habitat improvements and fish stocking, to fish stock surveys, responding to incidents and regulating fish movements to help prevent disease. These are just a few of many more examples. We also work with the Angling Trust and others to help encourage more people to take up fishing (last year, through the taster sessions, more than 37,000 people tried angling for the first time) and we carry out research to ensure we continue to use the most up to date and effective techniques to protect fisheries.
We also work with a range of volunteers including the Angling Trusts Voluntary Bailiff Service, who provide eyes and ears on the banks to ensure people are complying with the law. This is a vital piece of work that ensures anglers fish legally and can enjoy the sport, while preserving and protecting fish stocks. They also provide a huge number of volunteer angling coaches, who give people the chance to try our wonderful sport.
When you are buying a licence, please remember all the good work that you are helping to support. Licence fee funds projects that ensure our fisheries are sustainable and healthy, and that anglers can enjoy the sport for decades to come.
To keep up to date with the work we do, please remember to opt in to receiving communications from us when you buy a licence.
Annual fishing licences are available from only £30. To enjoy fishing and make sure you fish legally - go to www.gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence.
6 comments
Comment by Peter Astbury posted on
Is it true that the natural resources Wales, have closed salmon hatcheries on the river Dee?
I know that catch and release will help preserve stocks but if they have closed or stopped hatcheries is this not a backward step? Surely the more fry that leaves the river system the better chance of them returning.
I recently counted 20+cormorants In one pool last year on one of our rivers, so how many fry would you think they devoured?
NRW are playing a numbers game, so why not HELP numbers and have more hatcheries.
People will stop fishing in Wales and go elsewhere not the best way to help tourism is it?
Comment by eileenroffe posted on
Morning NRW are the agency to contact: https://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en - we seperated in 2015 - best wishes - Eileen
Comment by Ray smith posted on
As a angling club and fishery that has a lake with a natural flow pipe out to the river how can we apply to recieve more stock for the lake
Rsrepairs1@btinternet.com
Higham Ferrers
Comment by eileenroffe posted on
Hi Ray, please call 03708 506506, so that an advisor can contact a member of the local fisheries team to discuss it. Or e-mail some details, including the location to: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk so that we can pass on your query to the relevant team - Joz
Comment by David Gill posted on
Need a little help .I have a standing order and get my fishing license sent to me every year could you please tell me when they are being sent out so I can renew my fishing club ticket.David Gill No 12195004134371 .
Regards
Dave
Comment by eileenroffe posted on
Hi David, direct debit payments are taken in March and licences are posted in time for their renewal on April 1st - Joz