Agreed, but not at all surprised anymore.
3 years of fishing has dispelled my ignorance to a degree of what the EA is actually for and against, I have bought a license (AGAIN) but I'm not convinced I really need to, just to fish, catch and return, not having worked out yet what crime I'm complicit in for carrying a card that's T&C I've endorsed, as catch and return fishing in itself is not a crime and has very little impact on the ecological systems around me, I have no intention of taking any fish although the license allows licensee permission in some circumstances, am I simply paying for the intention to commit theft of fish in advance, getting permission, but not actually following it through?
Large funded institutions that make decisions/ make mistakes/test ecological or environmental theories on our behalf (licensees being accountable for, by purchasing their ideas)........isn't that something else altogether?
In particular, a license may be issued by authorities, to allow an activity that would otherwise be forbidden. It may require paying a fee and/or proving a capability. The requirement may also serve to keep the authorities informed on a type of activity, and to give them the opportunity to set conditions and limitations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/License
I still don't know what I may of needed the license for.
So I had a little google and found this....
https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2014/07/17/where-does-your-rod-licence-money-go/
Paul Lidgett concludes:
So, what do you get for your rod licence? The right laws enforced; an emergency response; healthy fish stocks in a good quality environment; and a sustainable future for angling.
All that needs to be asked is does that ring true to every licensee or why is such a huge responsibility left to a national minority of mostly casual catch and release fishermen?
