Rising rod licence sales boost fishing projects

The Environment Agency invested more than £48 million in projects to enhance fisheries and make improvements for anglers, angling facilities and the environment during 2019-20.

The organisation’s Annual Fisheries Report, which has just been released, shows that over £20 million was raised from rod licence sales in England and Wales, with almost a million (940,974) fishing licences sold between April 2019 and 31 March 2020.

This was supplemented by partner contributions and additional government funding, allowing the EA to spend over £48 million to support the management of fisheries.

Environment Agency fisheries staff also used rod licence income to work with the Angling Trust and the police to educate anglers, enforce fisheries law and protect the sport for those who want to fish safely and legally.

This resulted in 1,611 successful prosecutions and over £285,900 in penalties against people committing angling offences.

Licence sales have also allowed EA fisheries officers to save thousands of fish and helped protect hundreds of fisheries.

Kevin Austin, deputy director for fisheries at the Environment Agency, said: “Income from fishing licence sales is used to fund vital work to improve and protect our fisheries and much-loved fish species. Our Annual Fisheries Report shows how income generated is invested directly back into our 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.

“When you buy a licence, you are supporting important work by the EA, including restocking, fisheries enforcement, habitat improvement and fish rescues when needed.”

You can see an overview of the EA’s work in this short film: