The Environment Agency and Angling Trust Get Fishing Fund is back for 2023

Press Release – for release by the Angling Trust on 5^th December 2022

• Monday 5th December launch date
• £100k of funding will get even more people fishing, more often

Since 2019 the Environment Agency has invested over £300,000 of fishing licence income in 200 projects nationwide and enabled thousands more newcomers to get into fishing. This popular fund launches on Monday 5^th December, with grants of up to £2,500 per organisation available via the Angling Trust who administer the Get Fishing Fund.

The Get Fishing Fund is all about spreading the many health and wellbeing benefits that simply getting out to spend time fishing can bring people of all ages and backgrounds. The fund can be used to purchase equipment, fishing tackle, and resources to run fishing events and is always a big hit with clubs, fisheries, charities, coaches, and organisations aiming to get beginners fishing for the first time. For that reason, non-angling organisations such as schools, local authorities and charities based in England are encouraged to apply too at www.anglingtrust.net/getfishingfund.

We know many people who have been fishing previously stop for different reasons such as lack of time, and we would like to see them to give it a go again. Clubs and fisheries are encouraged to think about providing events for families where a parent, grandparent or carer can return to sport with children who are the anglers of the future.

Heidi Stone, Fisheries Partnerships Manager at the Environment Agency said:

“Spending time on the bank provides a welcome tonic from the many pressures of life right now. We know that fishing has a huge appeal – and it’s easy to get started. The Get Fishing Fund is a brilliant way to help more people from many different backgrounds discover what fishing is all about.”

Clive Copeland, Head of Participation at the Angling Trust added:

“For any organisation that might not have considered including angling in their offer, a grant of this size can go a long way. Since the launch of the Get Fishing Fund, we’ve seen the fantastic impact that even the smallest amount of money has had on enabling community organisations get more people fishing.”

With applications assessed on a weekly basis, funds may be allocated before the deadline of Sunday 5^th March 2023 so please do not delay and submit your application now.

 Notes for Applicants:

• The contact for Get Fishing Fund applicants is: [email protected]
• The fund opens on Monday 5th December 2022 and closes Sunday 5th March 2023.
• Because funding is limited, applicants are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later.
• Funding applications can be made on the Angling Trust website at https://grants.anglingtrust.net/online-application-forms) or search “Get Fishing Fund”
• For more information on coaching and courses visit net/get-involved/coaching. In some circumstances, the Environment Agency may be able to provide bursaries for training new coaches

Notes for Editors:

• The contact for this Press Release is: [email protected]
• Get Fishing is the Angling Trust’s campaign to grow participation in angling. Annually, the Get Fishing campaign introduces over 30,000 people to angling at hundreds of fun, safe and friendly events funded by the Environment Agency from fishing licence income.