WIREDGOV

Funding made available by the Angling Trust and Environment Agency will also be used to combat fish predation.

The Angling Trust is asking fishing clubs and fisheries to apply for funding to boost fishing participation as part of the latest round of the Angling Improvement Fund.

The Environment Agency has made an additional £200,000 available after strong rod licence sales in 2014/15. This will support the National Angling Strategy by funding 40 to 50 projects in England.

The money includes £150,000 to support projects themed “Access for All” aimed at increasing participation for people with disabilities by tackling poor access to and at fisheries.

A further £50,000 will combat fish predation by funding fish refuges, non-lethal control of cormorants and goosanders, otter-proof fencing and other projects to manage unsustainable predation of fish stocks.

Sarah Chare, Head of Fisheries at the Environment Agency, said:

In 2015, we sold 1.2 million rod licences. This is great for angling because it means more investment in fisheries and the fishing clubs supporting anglers up and down the country. This round of the Angling Improvement Fund represents the best of our partnership with the Angling Trust as it is aimed at getting more people into our sport and protecting fish from predators.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust, said:

One of the many brilliant things about angling is that some disciplines can be practised by people with disabilities and anyone aged 5 to 95, but we need to ensure that they are able to get to the water safely. That’s why this round of funding will be targeted at projects that help improve access to the water, based on research into what their members and customers need. We will also be continuing our work to protect fisheries from predators to support our predation action plan.