Grants of up to £6,000 are available to support non-lethal and legal techniques to manage unsustainable predation (the preying of one species on another) at angling sites and venues across England that are covered by an Environment Agency non-migratory trout and coarse fishing licence.
The Angling Trust’s Angling Improvement Fund is designed to support non-lethal and legal techniques to manage unsustainable predation (the preying of one species on another) at sites by:
- Mammals such as otters and mink, and
- Birds such as cormorant, goosander, and other fish eaters.
The Trust is looking for well planned projects that demonstrate a good understanding of the current impacts of predatory species at a site, including:
- Evidence is shown of the real need for action.
- Independent expert advice has been sought, preferably from an Angling Trust Fishery Management Advisor (FMA), and
- Project that are sustainable over several years thereby safeguarding fish stocks and angling opportunities.
The Trust will also expect to be provided with evidence that applicants have at their disposal the expertise to deliver their project within the timescales permitted (successful applicants will be expected to complete any funded project works within 3 months of the award acceptance form being received).
The maximum award is restricted to £6,000 per project. Applicants should attempt to match the award with a similar amount of funding from their own sources. This may include cash, volunteer time, donations, or a combination of all three. However, the greater a contribution by an applicant in cash, the more favourably their application will be scored. Commercial venues cash contribution must be equal to or greater than the grant applied for. An applicant may be offered less than the total amount requested.
Grants can be used for:
- Installation, repair and material costs of otter proof fencing (Stillwaters only).
- Provision of fish refuges including marginal planting (Stillwaters only).
- Removal or modification of bird loafing and roosting sites.
- Non-lethal equipment such as auditory and visual deterrents.
- Fees to bona-fide professional contractors to implement the project.
- Mink management - Mink control should ideally link to existing catchment wide mink control/eradication projects. as a result, there are some parts of the country now considered mink free (such as most of East Anglia), and/or
- Any other measures aimed at reduction of predation
If you are uncertain whether your predator is eligible, please contact one of the Trust’s Fishery Management Advisors (details below) before making an application.
The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest is Friday 19 December 2025 (applications may be made at any time up to and including this date).
Further information, guidance and a link to the Expression of Interest form can be found on the Trust’s website.