The Minister joined a group of women anglers today on the banks of the River Lagan at Shaw’s Bridge in a bid to encourage more females to take up the sport.
He said: “Angling is usually considered to be a male dominated sport but I would like to see more women, senior citizens and young people getting involved. I am pleased to say that there has been an increase in recent years in the number of females who fish either as a leisure activity or as a serious sport and they can encourage others who might be interested in having a go.
“The benefits to health and well being are considerable. Angling can be a social sport or it can offer peace and solitude that sometimes people crave. It also brings with it economic benefits and makes a significant contribution to tourism and rural regeneration.
“Today I am announcing the 2008 permit and licence charges and although the general permit has increased in line with inflation, there will be no increase in the cost of concessionary permits for senior citizens and disabled anglers.
“Indeed to continue to attract more visitors and tourists, there will be no increase in the cost of three day and 14-day game and coarse angling permits either and the cost of a juvenile season game permit remains at only £2 – what an excellent stocking filler for a young person!”
The Department continues to publish its Angling Guide in two parts to provide separate information on the Game and Coarse Fisheries in the Public Angling Estate. A new angling guide is also being produced in time for the 2008 season which will provide detailed information on all the Public Angling Estate fisheries with facilities for anglers with disabilities. A copy of the appropriate guides will be available free of charge to anyone who buys a DCAL permit and may be obtained either through our authorised distributors or directly from the department.
Notes to Editors:
The 2008 permit prices are as follows:
- General Season Game Permit £62.00
- Juvenile Season Game Permit £2.00
- Local Season Game Permit £46.50
- 14-Day General Game Permit £15.00
- 3-Day General Game Permit £5.00
- 14-Day Coarse Permit (2 rods) £9.00
- 3-Day Coarse Permit (2 rods) £4.50
- Annual Coarse Fishing Permit £23.00
- Concessionary Game/Coarse Permit £15.00
Further information on all permit prices is available from
Inland Fisheries,Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure,
3rd floor, Interpoint,
20-24 York Street,
Belfast BT151AQ.
Telephone 028 9025 8870, Fax 028 9025 8898
E-mail: brendan.downey@dcalni.gov.uk
Visit www.dcal-fishingni.gov.uk 
for general information, angling permits and River Bush day tickets.
All media enquiries to DCAL Press Office on 028 9025 8901 or via email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk .
