02/03/2006 - Healthier
fisheries means healthier local communities
and economies was the message from the Environment
Agency at the launch of 'A better environment,
healthier fisheries: better fisheries for
our nations' today. "Fisheries is about
more than just fishing and our work is a
key influence on local economies throughout
England and Wales," Dafydd Evans, Head
of Fisheries, said today.
"Angling creates jobs and prosperity,
extends visitor seasons and creates more
business for restaurants, pubs, shops and
hotels.
"Our figures show that nearly four
million people went angling last year leading
to 20,000 jobs and total spending of a huge
£3 billion annually on the sport -
one project alone in Wales generated almost
£30 million through angling tourism,"
Dafydd Evans said.
The Environment Agency’s Fishing in Wales
Project resulted in:
Over 400km of improved rivers as a result
of river habitat improvements and building
fish passes.
£2 million investment creating 1000
jobs in angling clubs, tackle shops, hotels
and restaurants.
£27million generated in one year by
angling tourists and their families.
Over 450 people attending sustainable fishery
management training courses, helping to
deliver 86 partnership projects with angling
clubs and fishery owners, improving fishing
facilities for all.
Releasing the strategy today the Environment
Agency, which is responsible for fisheries
in England and Wales, revealed how it will
adapt to ensure the survival of our fragile
natural fisheries environment. It is success
like that shown by the Fishing in Wales
project which the Environment Agency hopes
to repeat.
Key steps to create a better fisheries
environment by 2011 include:
Increasing the number of fish in our rivers
– only 21 rivers met salmon conservation
targets in 1999.
Providing more chances for more people to
fish with double the amount of active anglers
from black, minority and ethnic backgrounds.
Sustainable fisheries boosting the local
economy, with greater investment in fisheries.
"The presence of fish and angling demonstrates
a healthy environment - our strategy outlines
how we will meet new challenges such as
climate change and invasive species while
increasing tourism, encouraging greater
participation in fishing and continuing
to create a better quality of life for local
communities," Dafydd Evans said.
"Our work to bring fishing to people
through angling participation projects have
paid off for local communities. One such
scheme in Rowheath Park, Birmingham was
the award winning Get Hooked on Fishing
project. Working together with the Bournville
Village Trust this innovative and unique
programme proved successful in tackling
youth crime, antisocial behaviour, school
truancy and educational underachievement
- 98% of participants did not re-offend.
Over 250 children took part in 2005 and
the three-year-old scheme won the Big Lottery
People’s Choice Award.
"Better environment, healthier fisheries
outlines how we will take our work further.
We are determined to create a better, healthier
environment for fisheries and for people,"
Dafydd Evans said.
