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Angling under threat from licence proposal
THE angling industry in Whitby could disappear overnight if the Government pushes ahead with plans to create a compulsory rod licence for fishermen.
Whitby Charter Skippers’ Association (WCSA) claims this could wipe 2m off the town’s economy and members are to meet with Whitby MP Robert Goodwill today to highlight their concerns.
If the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) proposals are brought in, it would mean the sight of anglers fishing on the pier would become a thing of the past.
The proposal is just one of a number being put forward by DEFRA to help protect the marine environment around the country.
Paul Kilpatrick, chairman of the WCSA, said everyone who wished to use a rod would need to pay for a licence in future.
“It’s madness and it would wipe out the angling industry here overnight,” he said.
“In my opinion the angling industry brings between one-and-a-half and two million pounds a year to Whitby.
“It will be all aspects of the industry that will be affected, bait shops, hotels – we have the biggest angling festival in the UK in Whitby this summer, that will be no more.
“They brought this in in Portugal and in the first year alone the bait shops saw their business drop off by 60%.”
He said the charges are likely to be in the form of a levy of the chartered skippers, an added cost he says they cannot afford.
“For chartered angling vessels the government will probably, in my opinion, introduce a levy,” he said.
“This will probably be a couple of thousand pounds a year, an added cost many of us cannot afford.
“The proposals are still in the consultation stage so we need to get our point across now.”
Whitby MP Robert Goodwill has previously voiced his concerns about the proposal in parliament and has agreed to meet with the skippers to hear their concerns.
He said: “This is an issue I feel very strongly about.
“The Government has seen a way to make some extra money and is trying to impose a stealth tax on an industry that does not require it and is vital to seaside economies.
“I will listen to what the fishermen have to say and then I can put in some parliamentary questions, which must be answered in three days by the minister."
He will meet with the WCSA and other interested parties this afternoon.
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Weather for Whitby
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
