Government urged to allow angling as England prepares for lockdown

With England facing a lockdown this week following a surge in COVID-19 cases, the body that represents recreational fishing in the region is lobbying the Government to allow participation in the sport to continue.

In a letter to Cabinet Ministers, the Angling Trust highlighted the benefits of socially distanced outdoor sports like fishing, cycling and golf to the health and metal wellbeing of the nation in difficult times.

It said: “Our purpose in writing to you is to urge you not to place wholly unnecessary restrictions on angling and the £4bn angling trade which supports up to 40,000 jobs in the UK. Recreational fishing has been practised safely and responsibly in England since May 13th in accordance with the approved COVID compliant guidelines produced by the Angling Trust.”

Angling Trust CEO Jamie Cook added: “It would be absurd for ministers to unnecessarily restrict healthy activities like angling, which are demonstrably beneficial for our health and wellbeing at this critical time. We firmly believe that largely solitary, socially-distanced activities like fishing should not be restricted under any new lockdown provisions beyond that which was authorised on May 13th.

“We now have approved guidelines in place covering all aspects on angling, including individuals, clubs and fisheries, coaches and guides, charter boats and competitions. These COVID compliant guidelines have been widely accepted across angling and to the best of our knowledge there have been no known examples where angling activity has contributed to the spread of the virus.”