Coarse fishing close season on English rivers - consultation results summary
Updated 30 December 2019
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/coarse-fishing-close-season-on-english-rivers/public-feedback/coarse-fishing-close-season-on-english-rivers-consultation-results-summary
The Environment Agency consulted anglers and others on the coarse fish close season on English rivers. We did this to better understand the risks of changing or removing the close season. Also to collate any additional evidence. We would use the responses to help us decide if there’s a case for change.
The consultation ran from 14 January 2019 to 11 March 2019. We publicised the consultation through the media, including social media. We sent email newsletters to online rod licence buyers. We wrote to principal fisheries, conservation and river user groups.
We received 13,680 responses. More than 90% were from anglers. 5% were from fishery owners, members of the angling trade and the general public. 1% were from fishery managers and other organisations.
Overall:
- 49.2% of responses support removing the close season
- 38.8% support retaining the current close season
- 9.2% support retaining a close season but changing the start and end dates
- 2.3% were undecided or did not answer the question
Many participants provided useful informal evidence and personal opinions. However, we did not receive any additional scientific evidence.
Of the 17 national and local fisheries organisations that responded:
- 13 supported retaining the close season
- 2 supported removing it
- 1 supported changing it
- 1 did not answer
If we changed or removed the close season there would be additional angling opportunities on rivers and potentially some economic benefits for angling-dependent businesses. However, the Environment Agency believes, on balance, that these are limited and they do not override the risks to the long-term viability of fish stocks.
Taking the available evidence into account, the Environment Agency has decided to retain the current close season.