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Reel value of sea angling studied Scots sea angling 'worth £140m'
(1 day later)
A survey assessing the tourism and business benefits of recreational sea angling in Scotland is to be unveiled. Recreational sea angling in Scotland is worth more than £140m a year to the economy, according to a new report.
Environment Minister Richard Lochhead is visiting the Mull of Galloway to launch a study into the economic impact of the pursuit. The study commissioned by the Scottish Government shows the outdoor pursuit supports nearly 3,200 full-time jobs.
He will also hear calls for a pilot marine park in the area in order to try to conserve fish stocks. Environment Minister Richard Lochhead launched the report during a visit to Luce Bay in Dumfries and Galloway.
He said the findings highlighted the "vital importance of our marine environment to the sustainable economic growth of Scotland".
"The report has found that sea anglers spend some £140m annually and that the sector supports household incomes totalling £70m," said Mr Lochhead.
"Our beautiful and diverse coast and seas, as well as our many high quality coastal tourist businesses, offer a tremendous amount to sea anglers.
"The Scottish Government is very keen to safeguard the sport's success and to investigate how best it may develop in future."
Declining stocks
It has been estimated sea angling generates about £25m for the economy of Dumfries and Galloway alone.It has been estimated sea angling generates about £25m for the economy of Dumfries and Galloway alone.
Ian Burrett, vice chairman of the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network, said the value of the pastime was significant for the country as a whole.Ian Burrett, vice chairman of the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network, said the value of the pastime was significant for the country as a whole.
However, he said that unless urgent measures were put in place the benefits to the economy in places such as south west Scotland could be lost.However, he said that unless urgent measures were put in place the benefits to the economy in places such as south west Scotland could be lost.
"We are very concerned that the fish stocks on the west coast are declining at an ever increasing rate," he said."We are very concerned that the fish stocks on the west coast are declining at an ever increasing rate," he said.
"We believe that the only way that the stocks can recover is if large areas of the west coast - Luce Bay and the Solway - are actually closed in the form of a marine park."We believe that the only way that the stocks can recover is if large areas of the west coast - Luce Bay and the Solway - are actually closed in the form of a marine park.
"In the short term we are looking to set up an angling centre in Luce Bay which will keep out destructive forms of commercial fishing.""In the short term we are looking to set up an angling centre in Luce Bay which will keep out destructive forms of commercial fishing."