Anglers land cash for fishery projects

INCOME from fishing rod licences has been invested back into a number of angling-related projects in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall

The Environment Agency has invested rod licence sales funding totalling £36,000 in various schemes in the two counties as part of the Fisheries Improvement Programme (FIP).

Better bankside habitats, eye-catching signage and platforms for disabled anglers are some of the schemes in the South West helped by the programme, which has so far supported projects with 220 £925,000 of funding.

Mike Holland, fisheries officer for the Environment Agency, said: "Anglers often ask us about how we spend the money raised from the sale of fishing licences. The FIP is a prime example of the wide range of activities this income pays for to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries.

"All of the projects we fund must demonstrate benefits for anglers. 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 it's a real team effort. The more people who go fishing, the more we can invest."

Since FIP was established in 2015, more than 1,000 projects have been completed, with nearly £7million reinvested from fishing licence sales.

Every penny that the Environment Agency receives in fishing licence income is reinvested to protect both the sport of angling and England's waterways.