HALF a million pounds of extra funding is being made available for fisheries projects as a result of an increase in the sale of fishing licences.

The money will come from the Environment Agency, who say sales are five per cent up and that they can consequently help fund an extra 47 projects on coarse and trout fisheries across the UK.

Rivers and lakes have been earmarked for improvement work and a particular emphasis will be placed on inner city work in line with Government targets to get more city kids partaking in outdoor activities. It’s thought the bulk of the work will be done in partnership with angling clubs.

Among several new projects already earmarked for work is the creation of new fisheries in Plymouth, Gloucester and Tyne and Wear areas.

Commenting on the news, EA head of fisheries, Dr David Clarke said: “This shows why it’s so important that anglers buy a licence. Increased sales of trout and coarse fishing license have allowed us to expand out investment in local projects that will really make a difference.”
Figures indicate that in the period to the end of September 1,071,390 coarse and trout licences had been sold – five per cent up on the same figure for 2001.