GOVERNMENT plans to make sea anglers pay for the first time are another unwanted tax and would put youngsters off fishing, it has been claimed.

The Solent's sea fishermen have reacted angrily to proposals which would cover beach anglers, boat fishing and charter trips across the county and bring them in line with freshwater fishermen who pay £24.50 a year for a rod licence.

They would require everyone over the age of 12 who fishes in the sea with a rod and line to have a licence.

Although a new law is not expected until 2009, it would affect thousands of anglers across Hampshire who have had the right to fish at sea enshrined in the Magna Carta for almost 800 years.

The Government claims it will use the money to help manage fish stocks, improve shore access, car parks, create artificial reefs and provide launch sites for small boats.

Revenue raised through the licence would be used to administer the scheme itself. Tony Spridgeon, secretary of the Hamble Sea Angling Club, said: "I would be very unhappy to pay it.

"I think it would put off a lot of young people going into fishing just as we are having our worst year in terms of membership. The general cost is very expensive anyway."

Chris Clarke, a former world champion sea angler, of Sway, New Forest, said: "I'm totally against it.

"Personally I think it's just going to be another tax and enforcing it will be difficult because most sea angling is done at night. It would cost more to police it than what they will raise."