Sales of rod licences on the up
Environment Agency figures for the first part of 2002 year show sales of adult rod licences increased by 22 per cent on the previous year while sales of junior licences increased 33 per cent. Licence evasion rates also showed a fall - down 1.1 per cent on the previous month.
Salkes of fishing licences over the Internet sales leapt 280 per cent over this period, a figure which doesn't include the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend peak. Also, none of the statistics include Direct Debit sales which will push the final figures even higher once they have been collated.
Dr Dave Clarke, the Agency's Head of Fisheries said: "This is great news for the sport. Income for adult licences alone had reached £9million by the end of May. This money will be reinvested in our waters and fisheries for the benefit of all. Now, with the summer holidays almost upon us we're hoping to see the number of sales continue to grow.
"There are number of reasons for this. Anglers are really backing the sport, they know the price they pay for a licence isn't a fee - it's an investment in the pastime they love.
"And buying a licence couldn't be easier - there are around 17,000 Post Offices and other outlets which sell them direct; and for a small additional charge they can be purchased over the phone (0870 1662662) or from our web site - www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish - allowing them to obtain a licence immediately."
The latest blitz, carried out between June 16 and 22, is one in a series of national compliance campaigns. Agency officers visited more waters than in the previous May clampdown and checked more licences.
Yet the evasion rate was down from May's 6.5 per cent to 5.4 per cent. Anyone caught fishing without a valid licence faces a fine of up to £2,500.
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