Posted on April 19, 2023
Ahead of Invasive Species Week 2023, the Environment Agency and Angling Trust (AT) have once again announced £75,000 of funding, through the Angling Improvement Fund, for angling clubs to tackle invasive non-native plant and invertebrate species (INNS) which threaten the health of their fisheries.
Fishing clubs and other angling-related organisations can bid for up to £5,000 each through the Angling Improvement Fund (AIF), or £10,000 for a joint project with others.
You’ll need to consult one of the AT’s Environment Officers before you submit your application, and your local WTT Conservation Officer can help by carrying out a survey of the INNS on your river fishery. All WTT staff contact details are HERE on the Contact Us page of this website.
The deadline for applications is 26 May 2023, and much more detail can be found HERE on the Angling Trust website.
INNS like Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed and American signal crayfish can have an incredibly damaging effect on aquatic ecosystems – but in many cases it’s possible for volunteers to stop them spreading or even eradicate them completely from local areas.
Our Trout in the Town officer Theo Pike has written a helpful book, The Pocket Guide to Balsam Bashing, which provides lots of advice and is available in both print and e‑book formats HERE.
