The new 2002/2003 season begins on Easter Monday, 1st April and the Environment Agency urges all anglers to avoid being caught out by purchasing their rod fishing licences now. All full and concessionary licences for 2001/02 season expire at midnight on 31 March.

It has never been easier to buy a rod fishing licence. Rod fishing licences will be available from all Post Offices and bankside agents in England and Wales from 14 March 2002, the Agency’s telephone sales line (08701 662 662), and on-line from the Agency’s website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish


Rod License for 2002/2003
Environment Agency Rod Licensing Officer Richard Wightman said:”Over 1.2 million licences were sold last season and the Agency is working harder than ever to develop opportunities and facilities for anglers – especially in urban areas.

“The price of a full licence has risen by £ 1.00, and concessions by only 50p, but the really good news is that we have held the cut-price junior coarse and trout licence at only £ 5.00. Last year, this junior licence was very popular, and saw a sales increase of 27% on the previous year.

“Furthermore I can announce that about 8% of our regular full licence holders have already signed up for Direct Debit and will receive a new licence every year by post from now on.”

NOTES

The new prices that will apply from 1 April 2002 are as follows:

NON MIGRATORY TROUT AND COARSE

Full £ 21
Concessionary, senior and eligible disabled £ 10.50
Concessionary junior £ 5
8-Day £ 6.50
1-Day £ 2.50

SALMON AND MIGRATORY TROUT

Full £ 60
Concessionary senior and eligible disabled £ 30
Concessionary junior £ 30
8-day £ 16.50
1-day £ 5.50

The Direct Debit trial offer for full licence holders in the Agency’s Midlands and Anglian region and all holders of disabled concessionary licences for England and Wales has closed. The Direct Debit payment option will be offered again in Spring 2003 for all licence holders for the 2003/04 season onwards.