I think the main problem is course anglers en block, historically the course angler is from the lower sociological orders of society and as such we are not as organised as other sports, because of this we tend to get walked over, a good example of this is the way we were stitched up over the lead shot issue. A conmparative study within the industry indicates a more than significant usage and prodution level of lead shot for angling and lead shot for cartridge manufacture, If my memory is correction lead shot in angling took 2% of the manufacturing market, that was of course prior to the ban, and we were the fall guys (an easy unorganised target)and still get stick for it. Had fox hunting been in the hands of the same historic sociological order as course angling, it would have been banned years ago,
I dont mind paying for my sport, dont get me wrong, but the balance is ridiculous, I also dont believe we get value for money from the EA, although I accept they have inherited a lot of problems from their predecessors.
I firmly believe greater consessions should be given on licensing to the young, particularly teenagers, I have done a little bit over the years to create an interest in angling for the young, a young lad who lives local to me, was particularly keen on fishing from an early age, he lived with his mother and her boyfriend, who didnt pay him much heed, so he used to spend a lot of his time fishing on the local pits. He didnt have much money, certainly not enough to be able to afford a rod license. One day he got caught and that was basically the end of his fishing! he now breaks into cars for a living.
Angling has a major part to play in societal structure, an introduction into natural history and even environmental sciencies, creating a life long love for the natural environment. Sadly not many kids are comming into the sport these days, and we even have clubs and waters which exclude them, anglers really are their own worst enemies at time, isent it about time we all stood up to be counted, and started to fight for what is right. Anyone with a serious interest in our sport should at least check out the Specialist Anglers Alliance website SAA.