Angling and conservation at Sites of Special Scientific Interest in England: economics, attitudes and impacts

1. An extensive questionnaire (181 questions) was devised to examine the relationships and attitudes of angling clubs to their local environment and conservation organizations. Questions related to the fishery itself and the economics of the club were also asked. The questionnaire was sent to 59 coarse‐angling clubs that fished shallow Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in England. SSSIs are statutorily designated sites of the highest conservation value in Britain. Thirty‐one valid questionnaires were returned. 2. The average cost of leasing a water body was £645 ha−1 year−1 (1997 prices) and an adult angler paid, on average, £67 year−1 to fish at a club. The overall profit made by an angling club in an SSSI was, on average, £1760 year−1. Most clubs were not run on a profit basis. Compensatory cash payments were unlikely to influence attitudes to restrictions on stocking. 3. Angling clubs generally had a positive attitude to nature conservation and its enhancement. In 83% of cases, where stocking restrictions had been introduced by English Nature (the statutory nature conservation organization in England) the club involved agreed with the decision. Only 10% of respondents thought that a close season was detrimental to fishing. Aesthetic qualities and tranquillity were considered very important for a fishery to be successful and these were seen to be consistent with nature conservation values. 4. There were areas of concern. Common carp was the fish most likely to be stocked, largely because of financial benefits. Nonetheless, a trend towards carp stocking may have reached a peak. Management culling of fish such as pike took place at 42% of sites and some clubs believed that stronger ties with environmental groups should not be pursued. It may be some time before certain aspects of fishery management, suggested by English Nature as best conservation practice, are accepted by all angling clubs in SSSIs, but attitudes were found to be more positive than often assumed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.