This is the claim made by the angling Times this week . . . on the face of it that seems pretty clear cut, right?
Anglers have voted to scrap the close season AS it stands — Angling Times
As always, the "devil" is in the detail . . . . . or my alternative sub-title being, "what a crock of *****"
If you read the content you'll see that things are not quite as black and white as the Angling Ttimes would like
you to think, but then they have a vested interest, don't they . . . . .
The "Times" headline "Anglers have voted to scrap the close season etc" is a huge leap away from the facts in
the article . . .
So, let's look at these "amazing" numbers:
The EA only asked 20,000 licence holders to complete and return the survey
Given that there are supposed to be around 1 million licenced anglers that is already a tiny a sample for starters, or approx a whole 2% sample already chosen by the EA so as to be fully representative(?)
Then, only 5,147 of those asked actually returned the survey, so now that is just below 50% of those selected to respond, and a minute percentage of all licence holders. (approx 2% )
Out of those who responded, only 1,695 (or 32% of those polled who actually replied, or just 8% of those originally given the opportunity to make their views known . . . .
Thankfully, this poll result is not being given much credence in DEFRA and their spokesman has stated:
“We plan to hold a consultation later in the year which will examine all the arguments and evidence, to help
inform any future change in the close season byelaw.”
Let's hope and pray that any future consultations will be held openly and honestly . . . .
Anglers have voted to scrap the close season AS it stands — Angling Times
As always, the "devil" is in the detail . . . . . or my alternative sub-title being, "what a crock of *****"
If you read the content you'll see that things are not quite as black and white as the Angling Ttimes would like
you to think, but then they have a vested interest, don't they . . . . .
The "Times" headline "Anglers have voted to scrap the close season etc" is a huge leap away from the facts in
the article . . .
So, let's look at these "amazing" numbers:
The EA only asked 20,000 licence holders to complete and return the survey
Given that there are supposed to be around 1 million licenced anglers that is already a tiny a sample for starters, or approx a whole 2% sample already chosen by the EA so as to be fully representative(?)
Then, only 5,147 of those asked actually returned the survey, so now that is just below 50% of those selected to respond, and a minute percentage of all licence holders. (approx 2% )
Out of those who responded, only 1,695 (or 32% of those polled who actually replied, or just 8% of those originally given the opportunity to make their views known . . . .
Thankfully, this poll result is not being given much credence in DEFRA and their spokesman has stated:
“We plan to hold a consultation later in the year which will examine all the arguments and evidence, to help
inform any future change in the close season byelaw.”
Let's hope and pray that any future consultations will be held openly and honestly . . . .
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