Elizabeth Oughton Jane Wheelock Geoff Whitman Realising the Economic, Social and Environmental Benefits of Angling in River Catchments Elizabeth Oughton Jane Wheelock Geoff Whitman

Angling in the rural environment: social, economic, ecological and geomorphological interactions Aim: to analyse the complex network of natural and socio-economic relationships around angling in the river environment. Field work is being conducted in, on and around the Rivers Esk, Swale and Ure in North Yorkshire We have been collecting data for approximately twelve months now

The interdisciplinary relationships between data collection work packages WP 2.1 Environmental visions WP 2.5 Institutional environment WP 2.3 Angling and river processes Stakeholder input Angling in the consumption Integrated rural development economy WP 2.4 WP 2.2 Biodiversity and fish ecology

What are the expected benefits from angling? Economic Social Environmental …and how are they to be achieved?

Economy (Estimates*) The total capital value of inland recreational fishing in England and Wales (£3 billion (75%) still waters) plus additional annual expenditure by coarse anglers of £2 billion The capital value of trout in England £560 million (68% still waters) The capital value of salmon rod fisheries in England and Wales £128 million plus additional annual expenditure of game anglers of £545 million * Our Nations’ Fisheries EA 2004

How does angling impact on the local economy? Some preliminary findings from our angling survey (n=63) All but one of the respondents was male Average distance travelled to fish 28.4 miles (Range 1-75) Average daily spend £17 (max. £29.95 but three spent £0) Estimated annual expenditure highly variable (£3525 -£23) high expenditure was accounted for by angling holidays e.g. Ireland, Canada, Denmark and Scotland. The Esk and Swale attract locals and anglers angling clubs based in nearby conurbations. Neither type are likely to bring much additional spend to the local economy

Angling impact on the local economy Specialist angling businesses particularly still water complexes but also some others e.g. fish hatcheries, tackle shops Angling as a part of a livelihood jigsaw, diversification strategies of rural households Angling as a part of a rural tourism package

Society ‘Angling is proving to be good for self-esteem and well-being. We have supported several projects that have shown that an interest in angling can also be a powerful and cost-effective way of tackling anti-social behaviour, educational under-achievement and youth crime’* ‘Get Hooked on Fishing’ ‘Recreation is re-creating whether it is of the body or the mind, what [the angler] is doing is re-creating his mind…time spent angling is not counted in your allotted span’** An increase in personal and social well-being *Fishing for the Future, EA n.d. p.5 ** Interview Swale angler 14.11.06

Environment Angling is regarded as the ‘eyes and ears of the water environment’ ‘Angling has been at the heart of conservation development in England and Wales’* anglers bringing different types of knowledge about the environment, ‘custodians’ Expansion of angling as a threat Introduction of non-native species and associated problems Overseas travel and the introduction of disease *Angling in 2015: Getting more people into fishing. First consultation paper - December 2004:8

Realising the benefits – some challenges Data Qualitative differences in social benefits Extrapolation from studies characteristic of very specific sites Distribution of benefits Who benefits and how? A more qualitative understanding of benefits is required and a more flexible concept of success Scale Management and control of angling not generally centralised making an integrated policy more difficult Constraints associated with scale of policy implementation and planning

Realising the benefits – some more challenges

Qualitatively different institutions effect the governance of angling e.g. Private property Statutory bodies EU And they may themselves have conflicting objectives Different mechanisms and no single clear policy route to achieving the multiple benefits of angling

Conclusions – so far On balance the contribution of angling to the economy, society and environment appears positive but as yet we have not identified a clear route for bringing about these positive benefits through the development of angling alone. Angling should be seen as a part of other rural development policies in the countryside and efforts should continue to encourage angling amongst the younger cohort in both rural and urban areas It is still early days and we continue our researches and dialogue with our many stakeholders