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Scunthorpe Police Angling Club

We are based at the southern end of the
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A wonderful world
of Fishing Flies and Fly Tying Products.
A fantastic selection of artificial fishing flies, many unique to
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~
Welcome
to Fish-uk News ~ Local and national fishing news and
articles. Latest news courtesy of the
Environment Agency National Press Office. We will add any news as it becomes available to us.
If you would like to post an article send it to
webmaster@Fish-uk.com for your fellow anglers to have a look at. Become a Reporter!
Would you like to become a Fish-uk reporter for your area - UK or
Worldwide? for more info -
Click here |
________________
Fish take dip in local pool
|
16th October 2008
Environment Agency - Press Release
More than 300 carp had to be temporarily re-homed in a local leisure
park swimming pool following an incident at a lake at Little Ranch
Leisure Caravan Park at Begdale, near Wisbech.
Environment Agency fisheries officers were called out following a
report of about 200 dead fish on Friday evening. They took a water
sample for chemical analysis to try to find out the cause.
Tests revealed the water had high salinity levels which has been
known to lead to the presence of the alga, Prymnesium, which can
produce a toxin lethal to fish.
Paul Wilkanowski, ecological appraisal officer, said: ‘Acting
quickly was key to preventing the death of more fish in Begdale and
we were able to identify the cause of this incident very quickly.’
The lake was dosed with hydrogen peroxide to kill the alga and
prevent any further release of toxins. Further tests a few days
later showed that the Prymnesium had in fact been killed by the
chemical.
The carp have now been returned to the lake and discussions are
taking place regarding the re-opening of the lake for fishing.
Paul added: ‘Anyone who sees dead fish, fish in distress, or
pollution in our rivers and streams should call our emergency
hotline number as soon as you can.
‘In this case, it was the swift action of our officers that saved
the carp, but the story could very easily have been different.’
Environment Agency emergency hotline number 0800 80 70 60.
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________________
Eel poacher
ordered to surrender boat
|
14th October 2008
Environment Agency - Press Release
Eel poacher ordered to surrender boat
A Gloucestershire man has been ordered to forfeit his boat and
fishing equipment after being caught fishing for elvers using
illegal nets and without a licence.
David Sparkes, 24, of Hardwicke, Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty at
Gloucester Magistrates’ Court to two charges relating to illegal
fishing for elvers on the River Severn. The charges were brought by
the Environment Agency under the National Eel Fishing Byelaws 2004.
Mr Sparkes was fined £250 and ordered to pay costs of £250. In
addition to this, a Forfeit Order was made in respect of the boat
and associated equipment used by Sparkes.
For the Environment Agency, Kiran Cassini told the court that the
trade in elvers (or glass eels) is very lucrative, fetching up to
£250 per kilogramme.
Fishing for elvers is strictly controlled to safeguard stocks of
adult eels that have declined in recent years. Fishermen must obtain
an Environment Agency licence and can only use hand-operated dip
nets up to a certain size. The Environment Agency carries out
regular inspections of the elver fishery on the River Severn, to
ensure that anglers both possess a valid licence, and are operating
legally in the area.
On the 21 February 2008 Environment Agency officers observed Mr
Sparkes’ boat being launched from Weir Green and travel downstream.
There Mr Sparkes was observed operating two nets from his boat. Upon
inspection by Environment Agency Water Bailiffs, Mr Sparkes was
found to have caught elvers, although he did not have a licence to
do so.
Speaking after the case Bill Burleigh, an Environment Agency officer
involved in the investigation said: “Fishing for elvers in this way
is not only illegal but it is severely damaging to the eel stocks.
Many elver fishermen fish legally on the River Severn, but to do so
from a boat using these methods shows a total disregard for fellow
fishermen, the law and the future of this species.“
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______________
Prompt call saves fish
|
6th October 2008
Environment Agency - Press Release
Environment
Officers were the first on site and immediately carried out
investigations to see if pollution was the cause of distress to the
fish. After a thorough investigation, the cause was put down to
natural causes following low pressure during intense thunderstorms
which removed oxygen from the water.
Environment Agency
Fisheries Officers used oxygenating equipment to increase the oxygen
levels, and follow up checks the next day found the oxygen levels
had returned to normal.
It was estimated
more than five hundred fish were killed, with Roach, Pike and Perch
being some of the affected species.
Moreton’s Leam is
located in the Nene Washes, in north Cambridgeshire, and is a Site
of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is a habitat for the
Spined Loach fish, although none were seen in the mortalities.
The incident
happened on 8 September 2008, at Moreton’s Leam, Whittlesey.
Anyone who sees
dead fish, fish in distress, or pollution in our rivers and streams
should call the Environment Agency emergency hotline number on 0800
80 70 60 as quickly as possible rather than leaving it to the end of
the day, or worse the next day. This will ensure a quick response
in dealing with the incident.
Members of the
public can also report pollution incidents on the same 24
hour emergency hotline.
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_____________
Elver fisherman fined for flouting
byelaws
|
2nd October 2008
Environment Agency - Press Release
Elver fisherman fined for flouting byelaws
A Bridgwater man was today fined for illegally fishing for elvers on
the River Tone in Somerset in a bid to boosts his catch. Garry
Roberts was fined £300 and ordered to pay £200 costs in a case
brought by the Environment Agency.
On March 8, 2008 Agency officers were checking fishing licences on
the River Tone near Burrowbridge when they discovered what they
believed to be an oversized net near Hook Bridge.
When measured it was 1.58 metres long instead of 1.25 metres as
required.
Garry Roberts, of Hog House Farm, Wembdon, Bridgwater, was cautioned
and had his net seized.
Elver fishermen are only permitted to use dip nets up to a certain
size. Each net must be hand held and not fixed in any way.
Any net that is oversized gives a fisherman an unfair advantage and
enables him to catch more than his fair share of elvers that
currently fetch around £250 per kilogram.
‘The Environment Agency will not tolerate illegal fishing. The
defendant’s actions were financially motivated and detrimental to
both the environment and law abiding fishermen,’ said Richard
Dearnley for the Agency.
Appearing before Bridgwater magistrates, Garry Roberts was fined and
had his net destroyed after pleading guilty to two offences under
the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 and National Eel Fishing
Byelaws 2004
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________________
New fish
species found in the Thames Estuary
|
2nd October 2008
Environment Agency - Press Release
New fish species found in the Thames Estuary
The Environment Agency and the Zoological Society of London have
uncovered a new species of fish in the tidal Thames - the Greater
Weever – one of an astonishing 125 species of fish known to be found
in the river.
The Greater Weever, a predatory fish, can grow to a length of half a
metre and has venomous spines on its back and was discovered last
week as part of a two year, joint monitoring programme looking at
fish populations in the tidal Thames.
The new find will bring the total recorded number of fish species in
the Thames Estuary up to a grand total of 125. The 125 species
listed have been caught in the tidal Thames between Fulham and
Tilbury since 1964. A number of the species listed are resident
within the estuary, with others being considered occasional visitors
or simply passing through into the freshwater Thames.
During this two year study over 60 species of fish have been
recorded, including commercially important species such as Sole,
Cod, Sea Bass and Thornback Ray. Unusual species such as the
Short-Snouted Seahorse and John Dory have also been recorded. In
addition, conservation species such as the Twaite Shad, European Eel
and River Lamprey have been recorded.
The Thames estuary is under huge pressures, including new
development, dredging, cargo vessel traffic and commercial fishing.
Data gathered by the Environment Agency and the Zoological Society
of London from monitoring programmes such as this one provide vital
information for detecting changes in fish populations.
Environment Agency Fishery Officer Emma Barton said: “The diversity
and abundance of fish is an excellent indicator of the health of the
Thames estuary. Long-term monitoring provides us with vital
information that helps shape the way we manage future development on
the estuary.”
Matthew Gollock, Zoological Society of London’s Thames Conservation
Project Manager, said: “Heavy pollution in the Thames estuary once
left the waterway devoid of fish species. However, the discovery of
this new species and the blossoming diversity of fish are hugely
indicative of the renaissance of the estuary.
“The Zoological Society of London’s partnership with the Environment
Agency will help us to understand much more about the distribution
and behaviour of the many species and, in the long term, help us to
maintain and conserve the estuary, and increase its biodiversity.”
The Greater Weever can grow up to 50cm in length, though the
specimen recorded in the survey was just 20cm long. Greater Weever
fish are believed to feed on small invertebrates and fish. Both the
Greater Weever and its close relative the Lesser Weever, are
venomous, with spines on their backs near the gills.
Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an
international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our
key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. ZSL runs
ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific
research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in
field conservation in over thirty countries worldwide.
www.zsl.org
The Tidal Thames Conservation Project (TTCP) aims to monitor and
conserve habitats and species associated with the Thames Estuary,
and is a part of ZSL’s Marine and Freshwater Conservation Programme,
ZSL’s TTCP and the Environment Agency have collaborated on a number
of projects including the present population surveys, and monitoring
of eel returns in the estuary and its associated catchment.
The Environment Agency has a duty to protect and enhance the
environment. As part of this duty, we are working towards the
protection of estuaries, which are critical for migratory fish and
nurseries for juvenile fish.
The Environment Agency work in various ways to protect and enhance
fisheries in the Thames Estuary:
A comprehensive biannual survey programme at sites along the Tidal
Thames using various techniques, including trawling and seine
netting, helps to monitor juvenile fish stocks.
Influencing riverside development and planning processes, to take
into account the sensitive foreshore areas.
Enhancing new and existing flood defence walls so that they include
benefits for fish and biodiversity.
Where the Environment Agency has direct responsibility, to conduct
regulation and enforcement to promote sustainable exploitation,
whilst minimising the impact on the environment.
Championing increased access for sea and freshwater angling in an
urban environment.
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A Taunton man has been fined £1,000
|
25th September 2008
Environment Agency - Press Release
Elver fisherman banned for using illegal net
A Taunton man has been fined £1,000 and banned from elver fishing
for three years after he was caught fishing illegally on the River
Parrett in Somerset.
Keith Gould told magistrates he had fallen victim to the ‘credit
crunch’ and needed to earn some extra money. Environment Agency
bailiffs caught him using an illegal fixed net at Huntworth Lane
near Bridgwater.
An elver dip net should only be operated by hand. Environment Agency
officers saw that Gould had attached a rope and float to his net and
fixed the net handle to the riverbank using a stake.
The net was immediately seized by bailiffs.
A net used in this way is known as a ‘fixed engine’ and gives a
fisherman an unfair advantage over law-abiding fishermen. Eel
numbers have declined in recent years and it is important stocks are
not over-fished.
Gould, of 2 Valley Road, Taunton was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay
£350 costs by Bridgwater Magistrates on Wednesday (September 24)
after pleading guilty to fishing for elvers on the River Parrett
without a licence on April 19, 2008, an offence under Section 27 of
the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975. He was also
disqualified from holding an elver licence for three years and
ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.
Visibly angered by the penalty, Gould stormed out of the court
building shouting abuse at magistrates, court officers and
Environment Agency staff.
‘Illegal fishing enables people to catch more than their fair share
of elvers. It harms the environment by removing food for creatures
such as otters and kingfishers and is unfair to law-abiding elver
fishermen. We will not tolerate fixed nets and will prosecute anyone
we catch using them on the River Parrett,’ said Richard Dearnley for
the Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency regularly inspects the elver fishery on the
River Parrett. Fishermen pay £69 a year for a licence. Dip nets are
used to catch elvers – baby eels – as they enter freshwater after
their journey from the Sargasso Sea. Elver fishing can be lucrative.
In 2005 the price of elvers reached £525 per kilogram. They
currently fetch around £200 per kilogram.
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___________
Fish remains polluted ditch -
Invertebrates eliminated
|
23rd September 2008
Environment Agency - Press Release
Fat and solid fish remains
were discharged into a watercourse running alongside the premises of
The Sustainable Fish Company in Pymoor, in April 2008 Ely
Magistrates ’
Court heard today (Tues).
The company told
investigators that they had not realised it was a problem and had
been carrying on the practice since July 2007. They were fined
£2,500 and ordered to pay full costs of £3,287.
Mrs Anne-Lise McDonald,
prosecuting, told the court that there had been a significant effect
on the ecology of the ditch into which a pipe had been discharging
and the waste liquid had caused
‘an almost total elimination of invertebrates’
along the length of it.
‘The ditch
was filled with a thick off-white substance which consisted of fish
skin, fish flesh, fish scales and debris from internal organs of
fish,’ said Mrs
McDonald.
The Sustainable Fish
Company processes and guts fish at Pymoor before boxing them and
selling them on to customers. The gutting machine has an interceptor
and the solid material collected is removed to a skip with the
liquid waste going down a drain in the floor, into the rainwater
drain in the yard and into the ditch.
Company bosses did not
realise the system was a problem and thought that as the solid waste
was being captured, the remaining liquid would not be a problem.
Since the Environment
Agency discovered the offence the company has changed its practices
so that the waste liquid is now collected in a cess pit before being
tankered away.
After the hearing
Environment Agency officer Dr Euan Simpson said:
‘This pollution was completely avoidable had
the company installed the correct infrastructure before setting up
the fish farming operation. The case highlights the need for all
companies to consider options for trade effluent disposal
particularly in areas lying outside the sewer network.’
The Sustainable Fish
Company Ltd pleaded guilty to:
On or before 2 April 2008
you did cause poisonous, noxious or polluting matter to enter
controlled waters, namely a tributary of the Hundred Foot Drain at
Straight Furlong, Pymoor, Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Contrary to section 85(1)
and section 85(6) Water Resources Act 1991
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_____________
Research sheds light on impacts of
flood on fish
|
23rd September 2008
Environment Agency - Press Release
Rivers disconnected from
their floodplains could be having serious consequences for fish and
other river life according to a new Environment Agency report.
Using state-of-the-art
telemetric tagging systems the Environment Agency has investigated
what happens to coarse fish like roach, chub and dace in floods and
high river flows and found that the disconnection of rivers from
their natural floodplains has serious consequences for aquatic life.
Dr Graeme Peirson, a senior
fisheries scientist at the Environment Agency, said:
“Many lowland rivers in
England and Wales have been physically separated from their natural
floodplains by the construction of floodbanks to prevent flooding
and enable development in agriculture and housing. Our research
found that when extreme flooding, like that of summer 2007, occurs
and floodbanks overtop, fish and other river life enter the nearby
floodplain but can become stranded there when river water recedes.”
“The research also shows
that this disconnection of river and floodplain can reduce the
overall quality of river habitats, causing problems for spawning
fish and juveniles.”
The research team carried
out field studies at three locations across England:
Work on the River Ouse in
Yorkshire involved collecting young fish from the main river
channel, backwaters and areas of water isolated from the main river
channel behind floodbanks and using high definition sonar imaging to
track their movements. In the summer many of the fish had become
trapped in waterbodies created when floodbanks overtopped, and were
unable to return to the main river channel.
In the River Roding in
Essex, which has been re-stocked following a major pollution in
2003, researchers found that floodplains (both natural and man-made)
were being used by a wide range of newly-stocked, hatchery-reared
coarse fish as a safe refuge from floods and high river flows.
In the River Trent in
Nottinghamshire a number of man-made floodplains showed very similar
communities of fish to those found in natural floodplain systems –
indicating the benefits of re-creating floodplains that are
connected to the river system.
Dr Peirson continued: “The
research shows that reconnection of rivers to their natural
floodplains or to semi-natural floodplain waterbodies, and
re-stocking in appropriate circumstances with farm-reared fish, are
both important techniques in achieving a healthy ecosystem.”
“Reconnection of rivers to
floodplains is not only good for fish and river life, but can also
play a part in reducing flood risk. By allowing high flows from
rivers to spill safely into what is a natural part of the river
channel, it can help reduce the potential risk of river banks
bursting further up stream.”
Research Contractors:
University of Hull
International Fisheries Institute: J.D. Bolland and I.G. Cowx
School of Biological and
Biomedical Sciences, University of Durham: J.D. Bolland and M.C.
Lucas
This project was funded by
the Environment Agency’s Science Group, which provides scientific
knowledge, tools and techniques to enable us to protect and manage
the environment as effectively as possible.
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_______________
Fishing without a licence costs Derby man
over £500
|
12 th
September 2008 Environment Agency -
Press Release
Derby man,
Daniel
Johal, aged 20, of Hopwell Road, Derby, was fined a massive £437.50
and ordered to pay costs of £75 and a £15 victim surcharge at
Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court yesterday for fishing without
a licence.
The offence was
committed at Riverside Estate, Borrowash, Derby on 10 May 2008.
Speaking after the case, Environment Agency Environmental Crime Team
Leader, Peter Rutherford, said: “Anyone fishing inland waters in
England and Wales has an obligation to buy a licence. Money raised
from licence sales is put straight back into improving the
environment for wildlife and anglers. We are delighted the court has
imposed this exceptionally high fine. Illegal anglers should realise
that our officers are on the riverbank. If anyone is convicted after
flouting the law, this fine demonstrates that they will be
punished.”
Buying a licence couldn't be
easier - there are around 15,000 Post Offices and other outlets
which sell them direct, and for a small additional charge they can
be purchased over the phone on 0870 1662662 or from our web site -
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish.
Rod fishing licences
Anyone aged 12 years or over who fishes for salmon, trout,
freshwater fish or eels in England and Wales is required by law to
have an Environment Agency Rod Fishing Licence. Rod licences differ
from permits (often referred to as tickets or day tickets) which
give permission to fish a particular water or waters and are issued
by fishery owners.
Buy online
You can buy Full, Junior, 8-day and 1-day licences from our web site
at www.environment-agency.gov.uk. You can also buy a rod licence
from any Post Office in England and Wales, or on our telephone sales
line: 0870 1662 662. From March to October the telephone line is
open 8 am - 8pm every day, and sells all licence types
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________________
Fish poaching duo ordered to surrender
boats
|
12 th
September 2008 Environment Agency -
Press Release
Fish poachers were sent a clear warning today
(Friday) after two men were ordered to surrender their boats after
being found guilty of stealing a large quantity of fish from a river
in Norfolk.
Oleg Stepin, 43 and Gunnar Kaspars, 39, from Aberdeen, Scotland,
pleaded guilty at Kings Lynn Magistrates Court to charges relating
to the theft of fish from the River Wissey in Norfolk. The two men
also pleaded guilty to not having a rod licence and fishing in the
closed season, contrary to the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act
1975. Oleg Stepin pleaded guilty to additional charges of using an
unregistered boat and using a gill net* – an unlicensed instrument.
Oleg Stepin was ordered to pay costs of £60 and to surrender his
boat, outboard motor and petrol pump, worth around £4,000. Gunnar
Kaspars was also ordered to pay costs of £60 and to surrender his
dinghy, worth up to £1,000.
Neil Sampson, National Fisheries Enforcement Officer at the
Environment Agency, said: “Although we were disappointed that these
men were not given a more severe sentence, the forfeiture of their
boats will leave a large hole in both their pockets.
“The result sends out a clear message that illegal fishing practices
will not be tolerated - the Environment Agency will take strong
action to ensure offenders are brought to face justice. It also
highlights the importance of vigilance from the public and how by
working together with the Norfolk Constabulary, we were able to
bring this case to court.
“Illegal fishing can not only cause environmental damage, but
fishing without a valid rod licence disadvantages those anglers who
have paid their contribution towards helping maintain fisheries work
that benefits all anglers in England and Wales.”
Stepin and Kaspars were caught when a boat owner who was cruising in
the area noticed the pair, along with two other men, had set up a
camp along the banks of the river and were barbequing fish. The boat
owner notified the Norfolk Constabulary and police officers
attending the scene found the four men camping with an unregistered
boat and a large amount of fishing equipment, including an illegal
gill net.
DC Ian Young of the Norfolk Constabulary said: “Following the tip
off, our police officers attended the scene found fish on a barbeque
and several live fish threaded on a washing line and kept alive in
the river. The live fish, including several tench between four and
seven pounds and a two and a half pound perch, all had scale damage.
The perch died on its release.
“Police officers seized several items including a boat with an
outboard motor, a small dinghy and fishing equipment. All four men
were arrested. Of the two other men arrested, one was released
without charge. The other man failed to re-appear and is now wanted
by the police. It is believed that he has left the country.
“During the course of our investigation it became clear that the
four men were an organised group who had travelled from Scotland to
a remote part of Norfolk with the intention of stealing a large
quantity of fish.”
The Environment Agency is taking an intelligence led approach to
tackling illegal fishing by using Intelligence Officers and crime
analysts. We can better target our resources to patrol the rivers
vulnerable locations and hot spots for illegal activities.
* Gill nets are made of nylon fishing line and are designed to
ensnare fish by entangling them in its folds. They are illegal under
the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act as they cause extensive
damage and distress to the fish they catch.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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_______________
SW NEWS RELEASE: Trail-blazing patrol
boat on the crest of a wave!
|
4th September 2008 Environment Agency -
Press Release
Its a lean, mean, hi-tech
fisheries enforcement machine! A year after entering service, the
Environment Agency’s new patrol vessel, ‘Proteus’, has already
proved its worth and is living up to its name.
Based at Teignmouth, the £150,000
rigid inflatable (RIB) is used by the Environment Agency for
fisheries enforcement work along the Devon coast including the
seizure of illegal nets. With a top speed of 45 knots, Proteus is
one of the fastest patrol boats in the country.
Just as Proteus, a Greek ‘god of
the sea’, was capable of changing form, its Environment Agency
namesake performs a multi-role function and can take on a number of
different guises. When its not searching the high sea for illegal
nets, the 12.5 m craft can be chartered by other agencies for a
variety of maritime enforcement roles.
In the 12 months since it came
into service, Proteus has been used by the Marine Coastguard Agency
(MCA), the Marine & Fisheries Agency and the Sea Fisheries
Inspectorate that carries out checks on fishing vessels in the
English Channel and Western Approaches.
The craft is equipped with an
impressive array of electronic wizardry including radar, echo
sounder, track plotter and video camera system. Information
displayed on the boat’s ‘master screen’ from navigation and
surveillance equipment can be recorded on disc and used in fisheries
prosecutions.
Powered by twin 300 hp Mercury
diesel engines, the vessel can put to sea day or night. It has a
crew of two and can carry up to six people. In addition to fisheries
enforcement work, the craft is used to carry out sea water sampling
under the EU Water Framework Directive.
‘The new vessel has exceeded
expectations and already proved its worth. It is an impressive
craft. The improved performance has been achieved without an
increase in fuel consumption. In fact, the twin diesels in Proteus
are more economical than petrol engines used in our old patrol
vessel that was smaller and slower,’ said Derek Clifton, who
skippers the craft.
The Environment Agency expects to
get at least 10 years use out of the new vessel. Its old fishery
patrol boat, Nemesis, has been given a new lease of life with a
police forensic team who use it to investigate crime and recover
evidence from the sea.
Photos of Proteus are available
from the Environment Agency’s regional press office on 01392 442008.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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_______________
Environment Agency plays host to top
anglers as major fishing event comes to Somerset
|
2nd
September 2008 Environment Agency -
Press Release
More than 600 of
the country’s finest anglers will line the River Huntspill, South
Drain and Kings Sedgemoor Drain this weekend to compete in the most
prestigious event in the angling calendar – the Division One
National Championships.
This year’s
competition, which takes place on Saturday (6 September), includes
no fewer than three world champion anglers who will be among the 63
teams chasing the National Champion title.
Environment
Agency staff have been busy preparing the watercourses in time for
the top-flight tournament. Excess weed has been removed from river
channels and cut-aways created on the banks to form new ‘swims’.
The improvements
have been carried out by the Environment Agency’s fishery,
recreation and biodiversity team and operations delivery staff who
used a special boat for the weed cutting.
The tournament
is being staged by the National Federation of Anglers (NFA) in
association with the Environment Agency and Bridgwater Angling
Association. It is sponsored by the photography company, Pentax.
Dave Lloyd from
the Environment Agency said: “The staging of the National
Championships in Somerset is a marvellous opportunity for the
Environment Agency to demonstrate the work it does to support
anglers and protect the environment.
“The National is
angling’s Blue Ribbon event attracting the country’s very best
fishermen at the pinnacle of the sport. We’ve put in a lot of time
and effort to ensure the fishery is in tip top condition so that
everything runs smoothly on the day.”
This year, 630
anglers will take to the bank in teams of 10 to compete for the top
prize – a place in next year’s World Club Championship. Participants
include triple World Champion Matt Godfrey and Under 22 World
Champion Callum Dicks. The ladies are also well represented with new
World Champion Emma Pickering taking part.
On Sunday (7
September) budding anglers can try their hand at fishing at a ‘Learn
to Fish’ day on the River Huntspill. He event is free and open to
people of all ages. Families are especially welcome. All equipment
will be provided and professional National Federation of Anglers
(NFA) coaches available to provide tuition.
The event will
be held at Sloway Lane (opposite Laburnum House), West Huntspill on
Sunday between 9.30 – 5.00. It is being organised by the Environment
Agency in association with the NFA and Bridgwater Angling
Association. For further details contact Dave Lloyd at the
Environment Agency on 01278 484655.
Environment
Agency
South West
Regional Office
01392 352233
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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______________
Keighley man fined after verbally
abusing fisheries officer
|
29th
August 2008 Environment Agency -
Press Release
A Keighley man who
verbally abused an Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer
was ordered to pay more than £400 after pleading guilty to fishing
without a valid rod licence in Bradford Magistrates Court today.
Mark Holmes of 9
Steadings Way, Keighley, was stopped on the 11 April 2008 at Coppice
Ponds in Bingley, while getting ready to fish.
Mr Holmes was
reported for preparing to fish without a valid rod licence under
Section 27(b) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Unfortunately Mr
Holmes also verbally abused the Environment Agency’s fisheries
enforcement officer and he was also reported for a Section 4 POA
1986 - Public Order.
The matter was
originally listed at Bradford Magistrates on 4 August 2008 where the
defendant pleaded not guilty to both offences and the matter was
adjourned until today.
At the Pre Trial
Review in Bradford Magistrates Court today the defendant pleaded
guilty to both charges and was fined £330.00 and ordered to pay
£75.00 costs and £15.00 victim’s surcharge.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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Rod licence money funds new Forest of
Dean angling facilities
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28th
August 2008 Environment Agency -
Press Release
The Environment
Agency has invested £8,000 of rod licence money in new facilities
for disabled anglers on the bottom lake at Cannop Ponds, near Lydney
in the Forest of Dean.
As well as
installing two new spacious and sturdy angling platforms, we
improved more than 80 metres of path and 10 metres of boardwalk. The
work was carried out by contractors working for the Environment
Agency, with co-operation and advice from the land managers, the
Forestry Commission.
The path, which is
suitable for use by less able-bodied anglers, leads directly from
the car-park and allows access to the platforms over what was a
jumble of mud and broken stonework.
The platforms
reach to the edge of a dense stand of horsetail plants, enabling
anglers to cast into deep water. They complement two other platforms
which we installed some years ago on the opposite side of the lake.
These have stood the test of time well and despite frequent use have
not yet required any repair work.
Yorkley Angling
Club, which is based at Cannop Ponds, celebrates its 50th
anniversary this year. Day tickets are available to non-members and
can be purchased from the tackle shop in Lydney and from the bailiff
on the bank.
Environment Agency
Fisheries Technical Officer, Alan Bewick, says “This is yet
another example of how we use rod licence money to improve the
future of angling. Any member of the public can buy a day ticket and
take advantage of these new facilities. We’re sure that Yorkley
Angling Club and all its anglers will enjoy and make good use of the
new platforms and we wish them well in their future activities.”
Any
angler aged 12 years or over, fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater
fish or eels in England, Wales or the Border Esk in Scotland must
have an Environment Agency rod licence. As
well as breaking the law, people who fish without a licence are
cheating their fellow anglers by reducing the amount of money we
have available to carry out work such as this to benefit the angling
community.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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Clywedog angling taster sessions a
success
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28th
August 2008 Environment Agency -
Press Release
During August
2008, around 60 people have taken advantage of the offer of an
angling taster session from Environment Agency’s Fisheries,
Recreation and Biodiversity Team, in partnership with Get Hooked on
Fishing (GHOF) and the Llanidloes Angling Association. The sessions
were funded by money raised from the sale of rod licences.
Two sessions were
held, on the 13 /14 August and 20/21 August, at Clywedog reservoir.
The taster sessions were run by qualified angling coaches, who
taught the delegates how to cast a fly and how to fish the
reservoir. During the evening, people were shown how to tie a fly to
fish with.
This is the first
year the partnership have worked together to provide this event and
it was very successful.
Fisheries
Technical Officer, Claire Quigley, says “Fishing taster sessions
like these encourage the anglers of the future. This is yet another
example of how we use rod licence money to improve the future of
angling.
“As well as
breaking the law, people who fish without a licence reduce the
amount of money we have available to carry out work such as this to
benefit the angling community. They are cheating their fellow
anglers.”
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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Tyne angling championships add weight
to fisheries knowledge
|
20th August 2008 Environment Agency -
Press Release
A cast of 85
anglers took part in the 5th annual Tyne Championship
angling match on Sunday 17th August and in doing so
helped the Environment Agency improve knowledge of rivers fish
stocks to aid management actions in the future.
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