English fisheries benefit from surge in participation

Fisheries in England have benefited from a £1.3 million investment over the past 12 months, according to the organisation that provided the funding.

The Environment Agency (EA), the government body responsible for licence sales, says the money from its Fisheries Improvement Programme (FIP) has been spent on 170 projects to boost fish stocks and improve habitat and facilities.

“Every penny the Agency receives in fishing licence income is reinvested to protect both angling and England’s waterways,” says the EA. The FIP programme covers rivers and stillwaters. Funding is matched by local partners, including angling clubs and fisheries. 

The EA has also worked closely with local rivers trusts and the Wild Trout Trust. The total match funding, made up of additional cash and in-kind contributions, is estimated to be more than £3.2 million.

Nine projects in Devon and Cornwall received £64,000, while in Essex a £10,000 grant went towards enhancing facilities at a new fishery developed for military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“All of the projects we fund must demonstrate benefits for anglers,” said Heidi Stone, EA Fisheries Manager. “The FIP allows us to identify and invest in work supporting a local, sustainable future for angling.

“The programme is also a great demonstration of our partnership efforts, with many of the projects completed with the support of landowners, local businesses and fishing clubs. The more people who go fishing. the more we can invest.”

The Environment Agency wants to hear from more clubs and fisheries about the work and projects they would like to see undertaken.