Taken from a recent EA & AT angling strategy document and from the same year as the above Anglers Mail report. So again I ask the question. Where does all this evidence come from and who should we believe?
"Did you know that millions of people go fishing each year? Angling is the 6th biggest sport measured by once per month participation; anyone can do it, at any age, with any ability and in lots of places. In fact, up to four million people have gone fishing in the past two years but many more are interested in taking it up; the sport generates £3.5billion a year for the economy and employs 37,000 people. But did you also know that angling has something else a bit special? Angling is used as a tool up and down the country to improve educational attainment, improve physical and mental health, restore degraded water environments, reduce crime and anti social behaviour and improve personal esteem and effectiveness. It is a gateway to accessing, learning and caring about the natural environment. Now do you want to be part of it?"
