Figures released by Carwyn Jones, Minister for Countryside, Environment and Planning reveal that a partnership, between Environment Agency Wales and the Wales Tourist Board (WTB) has proved to be a winning formula for angling in Wales.

Results from research carried out to measure the effectiveness of the Fishing Wales marketing campaigns show that those requesting a Fishing Wales brochure took a total of 58,687 fishing trips to Wales worth £69 million to the Welsh economy in 2004-2005, £27.3 million of this was directly attributable to the campaign activity itself.

The Fishing Wales project has been funded as part of a £2.4m (over 3 years) Welsh Assembly Government initiative that the Minister announced in 2002 to develop and promote Welsh Fisheries.

The Wales Tourist Board and Environment Agency Wales have been co-operating to tackle the task of developing and marketing fishing in Wales, in order to increase prosperity and employment, particularly in rural areas.
Announcing the figures today at the Dyffryn Springs Fisheries, St Nicholas, Carwyn Jones said:

"I am delighted by these results. Soon after its inception the Welsh Assembly recognised the great value of angling both socially and economically and supported the Sustainable Fisheries Programme.It is very rewarding to see the huge returns on our investment after a relatively short period of time. The news is particularly good for rural communities where most angling visitors spend their money. Having obtained additional income into Wales we must now retain it."

Helen Phillips, Director of Environment Agency Wales welcomed the results:

"It is through our partnerships with the WTB, Welsh European Funding Office and Welsh Assembly Government that this campaign has been made possible. The high quality work compliments the excellent quality of the Welsh environment and fishing opportunities. We are grateful for the support of our partners and in particular the angling clubs and fishery businesses of Wales who have opened their doors and welcomed anglers into their communities. Wales was awarded Objective 1 funding by the EU in order to improve rural incomes and create jobs, in rural areas. We have demonstrated, through the Fishing Wales project, how this can be achieved without detriment to our beautiful Welsh environment."

Jonathan Jones, Chief Executive of the Wales Tourist Board commented:

"I’m delighted with these figures which show that our marketing campaigns are delivering for the Welsh economy, this also shows how, by working in partnership with the Environment Agency, we have been able to ensure that the campaigns are supported by appropriate development activity.
"What we are looking to do is develop Wales as a leading destination for fishing whilst avoiding compromising the status of the stocks or access to fisheries by local people."

"Marketing is now getting the message across that fishing in Wales is better than anywhere in the UK and is helping to change the image of fishing in Wales, and, in so doing, create jobs and prosperity in rural areas."

Well-managed fishing is an environmentally sustainable form of tourism in which all areas of Wales can participate. It also offers the opportunity to extend the traditional visitor season and generate financial rewards for restaurants, cafes, pubs, shops, hotels, guest houses and other businesses including the fishery owners themselves, be they private farmer, fishery manager or voluntarily controlled community angling club.

Notes to editors:

Case studies

Funding has been allocated to four fishing clusters around Wales. £30,000 in helping them establish their operations. They are the Anglesey Charter Skippers’ Association, West Wales Premier Fisheries, United Utilities Operational Services - Welsh Water’s managers of its reservoirs, and the Teifi Fisheries Federation.