Residents and anglers in Dorset have been invited by the Environment Agency (EA) to submit their feedback on a new scheme to improve the condition of the county's River Frome.

Next week, the organisation plans to unveil its proposals for the future conservation of the waterway, amid concerns that maintenance works and dredging have damaged delicate wildlife habitats.

"We're looking forward to restoring the Frome so that it can support key habitats and species such as trout," said the EA's Alasdair Maxwell. "We aim to achieve this goal with the help of everyone who has an interest in this unique river."

He encouraged fishing rod owners, wildlife groups and other people worried about the state of the River Frome to make their own contribution to the final rehabilitation initiative.

Earlier in the week, the EA revealed that a special haven had been created on the River Wear in County Durham to help nurture fish stocks in the region.

An angler from Somerset has been hit with a 12-month ban after being caught breaching local bye-laws by using prohibited equipment in a bid to catch more fish, it has been revealed.

Bridgewater fisherman Wayne Bilton was barred from fishing for elvers for one year and ordered to pay legal costs of £365, after the Environment Agency (EA) prosecuted him for using an illegal flow net.

"Bilton's actions were financially motivated and detrimental to both the environment and law abiding fishermen," said the EA's Richard Dearnley. "This prosecution sends out a clear message that the Environment Agency will not tolerate illegal fishing."

The angler's net measured 16 metres in length – 15 metres more than local legislation permits – when he was found to be using the item by EA bailiffs checking fishing rod licences in the area earlier this year.

Earlier this week, the organisation launched a publicity drive in Slough aimed at increasing awareness of the benefits of river maintenance.

Businesses and residents in Slough are being warned of the impact river pollution is having on the area's wildlife as part of a new awareness drive organised by the Environment Agency (EA).

Officers from the organisation visited the Slough Trading Estate earlier this week to inform companies of the damaging effect of industrial pollution, which contaminates waterways and reduces fish stocks in the region.

"Despite its urban nature, recent fish surveys on the Salthill Stream have shown at least ten species of fish to be present," said EA monitoring officer Dan Horsley. "Certain species such as dace are particularly sensitive to poor water quality."

The Salthill Stream and the nearby Chalvey Ditches have been affected by several pollution incidents in recent years and it is hoped this latest scheme will help Slough's perch, chub and dace populations to increase.

Earlier this week, the Angling Trust expressed concern about the condition of rivers in England and Wales and stated that fishing rod users are "determined" to see improvements.

The Environment Agency (EA) has revealed plans to implement a new conservation scheme on the River Wear in County Durham to help protect the local fish population from the effects of climate change and flooding.

Following lengthy discussions with fishing rod owners and landowners in the region, the organisation has announced that it intends to create a refuge for a wide variety of different fish to safeguard stocks.

"The haven is a sustainable alternative to restocking the river with fish every year," said EA fisheries officer Paul Frear. "More fish in the Wear river system will help to attract more wildlife to the river banks."

Heavy rain in the area can cause the river to flow particularly quickly, making it difficult for fry to survive and damaging the local fish population.

Earlier this week, a cull of fish began at Henleaze Lake in Bristol, after a long-running dispute with anglers was finally resolved.

Angling Trust (AT) chief executive Mark Lloyd has criticised suggestions that people from ethnic minorities are deterred from participating in the sport due to perceptions that its enthusiasts are somehow racist.

Responding to a recent article in the Guardian, Mr Lloyd insisted that a "warm welcome" awaits anyone picking up a fishing rod for the first time regardless of their race, but acknowledged that there are still too few black and Asian anglers.

"It is true that ethnic minorities are currently under-represented," he wrote. "A whole host of organisations are investing in angling promotion to encourage greater participation among people of all backgrounds."

Mr Lloyd added that reports such as the one which recently appeared in the newspaper do little to help his organisation's attempts to attract more anglers from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Last week, the Angling Times revealed that the AT had outlined plans to transfer fishing rod licence enforcement powers from the Environment Agency to volunteer bailiffs.

The Angling Trust (AT) has expressed concern about the condition of many British rivers, claiming that scores of waterways across the country are still failing to meet European standards of cleanliness.

Following the publication of a recent Environment Agency (EA) study on the matter, the organisation revealed that just 26 per cent of UK rivers are classed as being good, with 56 per cent moderate and 18 per cent considered either poor or bad.

"This official report from the Environment Agency demonstrates that the vast majority of our rivers are in moderate or poor condition," said AT chief executive Mark Lloyd. "Anglers are determined to see action at local and national level."

Our Rivers campaigner Ralph Underhill agreed with Mr Lloyd, claiming that insufficient action is being taken to clean up Britain's rivers and canals for the benefit of fishing rod users.

Last week, the AT criticised the EA for its initial unwillingness to release details of its river survey, which it was forced to do by the Information Commissioner.

An angling expert has called on the government to conduct further research into the number of otters populating Britain's rivers and canals, after claims that the creatures are enjoying something of a renaissance.

Writing in his regular column for the Angling Times, Steve Partner criticised authorities for failing to establish precisely what effect otters are having on fish stocks and suggested there is a lack of willingness to take action.

"Look, I'm not saying I don't want otters on our rivers. And I'm certainly not saying I want a cull, either," he explained. "But what I am saying is that we need – and deserve – a clear, objective study into the impact these creatures are having."

Mr Partner accused government bodies of being primarily concerned with "self-preservation" and insisted that anglers deserve more for their fishing rod licence payments.

A recent study carried out by the Environment Agency revealed that otter populations have recovered in areas throughout England.

Fishing rod owners have been warned that reductions in public spending could have a negative impact on angling, with venue bosses concerned that the sport may be poised for a downturn over the coming months.

According to the Eastern Daily Press, the anticipated public sector job cuts could deter some fishing enthusiasts from participating in their chosen pursuit with their usual regularity.

"We have already suffered a falling away of numbers fishing the lake this year," said Barford Fishery manager Sarah Thomson. "With fewer people coming through the gate, it has not been easy this year."

Norwich and District Anglers' Association chairman Tony Gibbons told the newspaper that his organisation is already taking steps to ward off the worst effects of the cutbacks by freezing its membership fee for the next year.

The government has already confirmed that it intends to abolish British Waterways as a statutory body and mutualise the group.

A petition protesting against a Berkshire council's decision to sell the angling rights to a previously public stretch of river to a local angling club has attracted more than 500 signatures, it has been revealed.

According to a report on the Get Wokingham website, disgruntled local fishing enthusiasts first launched the petition last month in response to Wokingham Borough Council's choice to grant Southlake Angling Society a monopoly at Lower Earley.

Members will now have to pay £120 a year to take their fishing rods on to the River Loddon at Riverside Park, despite councillor Gary Cowan telling a meeting earlier in October that he regretted the lack of public consultation.

"I apologise that residents and members were not consulted during this process," he said. "The council considered that the fishing was previously unmanaged and as a result there were a number of ongoing problems."

The Angling Trust recently criticised the way the sport is managed in Britain and called for "greater transparency and accountability" in return for fishing rod licence payments.