Fishing for the benefit of us all
01/03/2008
ANGLING is a major outdoor activity and Newcastle University social scientist Dr Liz Oughton's Relu study is investigating its consequences for rivers, the environment and the rural economy.
The Angling in the Rural Environment project is looking not just at rivers, but the fastgrowing area of stillwater fisheries.
Angling is seen as being important for the economy, but rivers are under pressure from a range of human activities, while there are concerns that stillwater fisheries can lead to the introduction of alien species and disease problems.
"We are looking at ways in which angling may be developed which may benefit the natural environment and the local economy," said Dr Oughton.
The project will also study how angling is supported and governed and what it offers participants in terms of health and relaxation.
"We want to identify ways in which policy and practices can change to allow angling to play a more active role in the rural economy," said Dr Oughton.
Wear Valley Council has granted planning approval to Northumbrian Water for a multi-user track 1.6km long on the southern bank of the Derwent Reservoir, which will run between Pow Hill Country Park and the dam of the reservoir, a main angling venue.
Northumbrian Water's plans for the 2008 fishing season, which opens on March 15, will see pounds 500,000 being spent on at least 165,000 trout to be reared and stocked in reservoirs.
The company says the investment will help maintain its position as the leading provider of stillwater game fishing in Northern Europe, which attracted 55,000 angler visits last season.
The company's "go fishing" guide out now reveals full details of the plans for the season including highlights for multi bait, fly and coarse anglers.
Fishing visitors to Derwent reservoir near Consett, County Durham, will have a special quarry - a number of tiger trout will be stocked throughout the season.
(c) 2008 The Journal - Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
Source: The Journal - Newcastle-upon-Tyne
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