I suppose that there is a fair bit of PR about it. However, they have said it now and it is up to us to use that to our advantage. The EA has published a booklet and a leaflet with a press release under the heading:-
A better environment, healthier fisheries - our strategy
with the following words:-
If you've got good places to fish in your area, you can get a whole host of benefits:
* It's good for the economy, as anglers spend a massive ?3 billion on their sport each year
* It's good for your health, with a survey showing angling gives the greatest boost to self-esteem and well-being
* It's good for young people, as a proven and cost-effective way of tackling anti-social behaviour, educational under-achievement and youth-crime
* It's good for the environment, with people telling us that seeing fish is one of the best indicators of a clean water environment.
* It's good for tourism, especially in rural areas, by creating jobs and prosperity, extending visitor seasons, and providing good business for restaurants, pubs, shops, hotels, angling clubs and other businesses.
If you'd like to see these benefits in your community, download our strategy and find out how we're going to get this working.
See for yourselves on
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/fish/569882/1307328/?version=1&lang=_e
I have sent an e-mail to the EA saying that these booklets should be sent to all schools with a supply of leaflets to all children.
Let's put pressure on them to keep to what they say and make fishing the truly great sport for all.
But if I remember correctly I was actually drying myself at the time of the news....but enough of my morning habits!! It is very good news to get some positive media coverage...I knew angling was a popular pastime but ?3bn a year is astounding.