 | The Environment Agency has launched a countrywide survey to help shape the future of rod licences – and it could include the scrapping of our famous paper permits. |
Undertaken by a market research company on behalf of the EA, the survey also seeks opinion from anglers on the creation of a ‘young persons’ concessionary permit, and a potential 10 per cent annual price rise on yearly tickets.
Since 2017, the cost of the standard, two-rod licence has been frozen at £30.00, but the considered changes could see the price rise to £33.00 in time for the 2023 season. It’s believed the new cost would help offset funds lost by the creation of a new permit aimed at encouraging 17 to 24-year-olds to keep fishing.
One angler who took part in the research and reckons it’s the switch from a paper licence – featuring images from celebrated artist David Miller – to a digital record which will cause the biggest upset.
He said: “I don’t mind paying an extra £3.00 a year, and I really like the idea of a young persons’ concession. The people doing the survey told me that there’s been a dramatic fall in licence sales among people aged 16 to those in their early twenties, so anything to encourage them would be great. The only thing I don’t like is scrapping paper licences. They’re part of our angling heritage”
An EA spokesperson said: “No decisions have yet been taken, but any changes to the current fishing licence will not come into effect until 2023, and will be formally communicated to all anglers”.
Since 2017, the cost of the standard, two-rod licence has been frozen at £30.00, but the considered changes could see the price rise to £33.00 in time for the 2023 season. It’s believed the new cost would help offset funds lost by the creation of a new permit aimed at encouraging 17 to 24-year-olds to keep fishing.
One angler who took part in the research and reckons it’s the switch from a paper licence – featuring images from celebrated artist David Miller – to a digital record which will cause the biggest upset.
He said: “I don’t mind paying an extra £3.00 a year, and I really like the idea of a young persons’ concession. The people doing the survey told me that there’s been a dramatic fall in licence sales among people aged 16 to those in their early twenties, so anything to encourage them would be great. The only thing I don’t like is scrapping paper licences. They’re part of our angling heritage”
An EA spokesperson said: “No decisions have yet been taken, but any changes to the current fishing licence will not come into effect until 2023, and will be formally communicated to all anglers”.
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