Post by Hoppy on Mar 21, 2008 22:08:41 GMT -1
Anglers - where does your rod licence money go?
Environment Agency Wales is today urging anglers across Wales to get their rod licences for next season as they announce a rise of almost 30% in funds from sales to be invested in the sport. The season starts on the 1 April 2008.
Plans are in place to invest nearly £300,000 in fisheries, habitat restoration and angling participation over 2008/09, a rise of almost £70,000 from last years spend.
The Agency also expects to secure £440,000 in partnership funding to further improve facilities and opportunities for everyone to go fishing. These partners include local authorities, angling clubs and associations, sports and environment partners and local community groups.
Fisheries in Wales also benefit from significant support and funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’ Sustainable Fisheries Programme.
These investments create better access to fisheries for all, more opportunities for people to get involved in fishing and better habitats for fish. This will benefit not only the anglers but will be a fantastic resource for the local community.
This rise in investment is largely due to the 9% increase in people in Wales buying a licence. This is the largest increase across all regions of the other regions in England.
But they are warning anyone going fishing without a licence to beware - their officers prosecuted over 220 people last year. Over £36,000 in fines and costs were handed out – an average cost of over £163 per offence.
The most expensive licence, a year-long salmon and sewin licence, costs only £68.00 – which is £100 less than a day in court if you get caught fishing without one. A licence for coarse fish is only £25.00 a year.
Illegal anglers deprive the sport of much needed funds to transform and improve facilities in Wales.
Andy Schofield, fisheries policy manager, said:
“We are really pleased to build on last years investment into fisheries with an extra £70,000 being pumped into the sport. These funds come directly from rod licence sales. It shows that with more people buying a licence – the more we can invest in Welsh fisheries.
“The amount of work that goes on is really incredible. We have seen more opportunities for disabled anglers to go fishing, more young people getting involved and some truly remarkable results.
“One of my favourite stories is of the youngster who tried fishing at an introductory event last year – and then went on to win the Welsh Junior Championship! It’s these kinds of stories that make our work so worthwhile.”
The works completed last year include:
· Creating and restoring habitats in Llyn Prysor, Trawsfynydd. This is a major trout fishery and by creating natural reed beds it gives young trout a shelter and somewhere to feed
· Working with the local authority to restore a community fishery at the Gnoll Pond in Neath
· Setting up a community led angling participation project for young people in Swansea
· Lime sand trials to improve water quality for brown trout in Carmartheshire and Ceredigion
· Improving habitat for coarse fish and trout on the rivers Lugg and Arrow
· Restored bays and backwaters to provide a valuable rearing area for coarse fish and invertebrates on the lower Dee
· Helped established a challenge fund for the new rivers trusts in Wales so they can improve river habitat for trout
· Helping to develop more angling coaches with the Federation of Welsh Anglers
· Making fisheries accessible to diasbled angers at Rhyd lydan pools near Painscastle,.
· Restoring a community fishery at Liswerry Pond, Newport. Pond desilted, new paths, platforms
A habitat restoration schemes the Afon Erddreiniog - a major spawning tributary of the Cefni reservoir on Anglesey. Landowners have allowed a generous area of land to be fenced off to provide habitat buffer strip with formalised crossing points and drinking points for livestock. This area of vegetation will provide stability to the banks, reduce siltation of spawning beds as well as cover and food for brown trout.
· Licence fees for 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009
Non-migratory trout, char, freshwater fish (coarse fish)
· Full annual £25.00
· Concessionary annual £16.75
· and eels Junior annual £5.00
· 8-day temporary £9.00
· 1-day temporary £3.50
Salmon, migratory trout (sea trout), non-migratory trout, char, freshwater fish (coarse fish) and eels
· Full annual £68.00
· Concessionary annual £45.00
· Junior annual £5.00
· 8-day temporary £22.00
· 1-day temporary £7.50
Children under 12 years of age do not require a rod fishing licence
Anyone who sees pollution, illegal tipping of waste, poaching, fish in distress or danger to the natural environment can contact the Agency’s emergency hotline on 0800 80 70 60. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, calls are free and will be treated in the strictest confidence.
· We are an Assembly Government Sponsored Body protecting and improving the environment in Wales for present and future generations. We are responsible for managing flood risk, dealing with pollution incidents, reducing industry’s impacts on the environment, cleaning up rivers, coastal waters and contaminated land, and improving wildlife habitats.
· More information about the Agency is available on the world wide web – www.environment-agency.wales.gov.uk
Environment Agency Wales is today urging anglers across Wales to get their rod licences for next season as they announce a rise of almost 30% in funds from sales to be invested in the sport. The season starts on the 1 April 2008.
Plans are in place to invest nearly £300,000 in fisheries, habitat restoration and angling participation over 2008/09, a rise of almost £70,000 from last years spend.
The Agency also expects to secure £440,000 in partnership funding to further improve facilities and opportunities for everyone to go fishing. These partners include local authorities, angling clubs and associations, sports and environment partners and local community groups.
Fisheries in Wales also benefit from significant support and funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’ Sustainable Fisheries Programme.
These investments create better access to fisheries for all, more opportunities for people to get involved in fishing and better habitats for fish. This will benefit not only the anglers but will be a fantastic resource for the local community.
This rise in investment is largely due to the 9% increase in people in Wales buying a licence. This is the largest increase across all regions of the other regions in England.
But they are warning anyone going fishing without a licence to beware - their officers prosecuted over 220 people last year. Over £36,000 in fines and costs were handed out – an average cost of over £163 per offence.
The most expensive licence, a year-long salmon and sewin licence, costs only £68.00 – which is £100 less than a day in court if you get caught fishing without one. A licence for coarse fish is only £25.00 a year.
Illegal anglers deprive the sport of much needed funds to transform and improve facilities in Wales.
Andy Schofield, fisheries policy manager, said:
“We are really pleased to build on last years investment into fisheries with an extra £70,000 being pumped into the sport. These funds come directly from rod licence sales. It shows that with more people buying a licence – the more we can invest in Welsh fisheries.
“The amount of work that goes on is really incredible. We have seen more opportunities for disabled anglers to go fishing, more young people getting involved and some truly remarkable results.
“One of my favourite stories is of the youngster who tried fishing at an introductory event last year – and then went on to win the Welsh Junior Championship! It’s these kinds of stories that make our work so worthwhile.”
The works completed last year include:
· Creating and restoring habitats in Llyn Prysor, Trawsfynydd. This is a major trout fishery and by creating natural reed beds it gives young trout a shelter and somewhere to feed
· Working with the local authority to restore a community fishery at the Gnoll Pond in Neath
· Setting up a community led angling participation project for young people in Swansea
· Lime sand trials to improve water quality for brown trout in Carmartheshire and Ceredigion
· Improving habitat for coarse fish and trout on the rivers Lugg and Arrow
· Restored bays and backwaters to provide a valuable rearing area for coarse fish and invertebrates on the lower Dee
· Helped established a challenge fund for the new rivers trusts in Wales so they can improve river habitat for trout
· Helping to develop more angling coaches with the Federation of Welsh Anglers
· Making fisheries accessible to diasbled angers at Rhyd lydan pools near Painscastle,.
· Restoring a community fishery at Liswerry Pond, Newport. Pond desilted, new paths, platforms
A habitat restoration schemes the Afon Erddreiniog - a major spawning tributary of the Cefni reservoir on Anglesey. Landowners have allowed a generous area of land to be fenced off to provide habitat buffer strip with formalised crossing points and drinking points for livestock. This area of vegetation will provide stability to the banks, reduce siltation of spawning beds as well as cover and food for brown trout.
· Licence fees for 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009
Non-migratory trout, char, freshwater fish (coarse fish)
· Full annual £25.00
· Concessionary annual £16.75
· and eels Junior annual £5.00
· 8-day temporary £9.00
· 1-day temporary £3.50
Salmon, migratory trout (sea trout), non-migratory trout, char, freshwater fish (coarse fish) and eels
· Full annual £68.00
· Concessionary annual £45.00
· Junior annual £5.00
· 8-day temporary £22.00
· 1-day temporary £7.50
Children under 12 years of age do not require a rod fishing licence
Anyone who sees pollution, illegal tipping of waste, poaching, fish in distress or danger to the natural environment can contact the Agency’s emergency hotline on 0800 80 70 60. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, calls are free and will be treated in the strictest confidence.
· We are an Assembly Government Sponsored Body protecting and improving the environment in Wales for present and future generations. We are responsible for managing flood risk, dealing with pollution incidents, reducing industry’s impacts on the environment, cleaning up rivers, coastal waters and contaminated land, and improving wildlife habitats.
· More information about the Agency is available on the world wide web – www.environment-agency.wales.gov.uk