Funding for angling participation available now

Funding for angling participation available now

A new round of Environment Agency funding will support the Angling Trust to get more people fishing, more often. The Environment Agency has contributed £23,000 in this round of funding, with potential for a further increase if demand and resource permits.

Since the Angling Improvement Fund was launched in February 2015, fishing licence income has helped fund more than 500 angling projects worth an estimated £5.6 million, creating, or safeguarding tens of thousands of angling opportunities in England.

Now, the Angling Trust is inviting applications from a wide range of angling providers including fishing clubs, commercial fisheries, charities, and local authorities seeking funding to run fun, safe and friendly angling participation events that will encourage more people to give fishing a go, or get back into angling.

Subject to available funding, awards up to £500 will be considered where the applicant is able to provide a comparable amount of match-funding (i.e. cash, voluntary time, or a mixture of the two).

Angling Improvement Fund Participation Awards must be used to fund projects to recruit new or lapsed anglers, awards can be used to pay for items that will be used to run an angling recruitment event such as

• Tackle and basic angling equipment
• Consumables such as bait etc.
• Cleaning and hygiene equipment e.g., hand sanitiser and face masks
• Social media promotion

The easing of lockdown restrictions on 13th May has led to a huge demand for angling, especially among families who want to get outside this summer and re-connect with nature after months indoors.

Clive Copeland the Angling Trust’s Head of Participation commented on the fact that many angling organisations need support to run participation events which embrace the current popularity of angling. Clive said “This opportunity is great news for anyone who wants to help boost angler numbers – the funding comes from the Environment Agency which is reinvesting fishing licence income in angling, and helping to provide even more opportunities for people to experience angling in a safe and positive way outdoors, in nature. What’s more, you do not need to be an Angling Trust member organisation to apply.”

Kevin Austin, Fisheries Manager, Environment Agency, said: “We are always looking to invest in our angling community and that’s why we have used the income from the sale of rod licences to provide further funding to help grow this fantastic sport.

“The increased interest in fishing over the summer not only proves people are rediscovering its benefits, but allows us to invest more in our fisheries and the service we offer anglers. We hope that these new projects will encourage more people to give fishing a go!”

Because money distributed as Angling Improvement Fund awards comes from the sale of Environment Agency’s non-migratory trout and coarse fishing licences, projects already receiving funding from the National Angling Strategic Services Contract, projects outside of England, primarily supporting salmon and sea trout angling, or sea angling organisations are not eligible to apply.

Funding can also be used to train angling coaches where the coach will play a direct role in recruiting anglers or getting more people to go fishing again.

The deadline for applications is noon on 28th February 2021.

If you are in the north of England please contact:
James Roche Partnership Development Manager
james.roche@anglingtrust.net 07791 786251

If you are in the south of England please contact:
Dean Asplin Partnership Development Manager
dean.asplin@anglingtrust.net 07854 239731

The Environment Agency funds the Angling Trust to provide more opportunities for people to go fishing and encourage sales of fishing rod licences. Money from fishing licence sales is spent on improving fisheries habitat and angling infrastructure through projects like the Angling Improvement Fund. www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency

The Angling Trust are a representative body for all anglers in England and Wales. Our members support the campaigns we carry out to protect fish and fishing and our programmes to increase participation. We are recognised by Sport England as the national governing body in England and promote active lifestyles and maintaining a regular angling habit. We are united in a collaborative relationship with Fish Legal, a separate membership association that uses the law to protect fish stocks and the rights of its members throughout the UK. www.anglingtrust.net