Source: Angling Trust
The ATr report that some 86% of park managers anticipate cuts to revenue budgets over the next three years, which may force them to reduce spending on maintenance and upkeep. 45% of local authorities are even considering selling parks or transferring their management to others.
This presents both a threat and an opportunity for anglers. Unless existing angling ponds situated in public parks are championed and supported some of the best-loved and most accessible fishing venues are liable to be lost, perhaps permanently. However community groups are playing an increasing role in supporting parks, by raising money, doing cleaning and maintenance tasks, and other forms of management.
Could you, or your angling club, do the same?
One of the key aims of the National Angling Strategy ‘Fishing for Life’ is to keep public venues open for fishing. Doing this underpins efforts to get more people, and particularly kids into fishing. The Angling Trust is eager to help any angling club or community organisation that would like to take on the management of a ‘community water’ to improve angling opportunities in the area and they can give advice, help to assess potential needs and benefits, liaise with local authorities, help clubs find development funding for new projects, and help promote the project when it’s up and running.
If you or your club or organisation would like to learn more please contact Rick Warner, the Angling Trust’s National Angling Strategy Manager on: 07850 774857 or email: rick.warner@anglingtrust.net
