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Fishing fun
for Crawley
youngsters
Published:
07-Jun-10
Fishing fun
for Crawley
youngsters
The
Environment
Agency joined
forces with
members of
Crawley
Angling
Society to
give children
a taste of the
pleasures of
angling and
the great
outdoors at
the society’s
prolific
Ballast Pit
fishery near
Crawley.
Children aged
three to 16,
together with
their parents,
participated
in the angling
event at the
fishery on
Saturday (June
5). The free
event was a
great success
as fish
including
carp, tench,
perch, bream,
rudd, roach
and pike, were
caught by all.
John Sutton, a
fisheries team
leader for the
Environment
Agency, said:
“Once again,
Crawley
Angling
Society
provided a
great
opportunity
for local kids
to learn about
angling in a
peaceful and
safe
environment.”
The
Environment
Agency
provided two
professional
angling
coaches – Rob
Walmsley and
Dave Sims -
together with
equipment and
prizes.
Prizes and
bait were also
supplied by
local tackle
shop owners –
Steve Mugridge
of Jack Frost
Tackle and
John Parker of
the Tackle
Warehouse.
The event has
been running
for 16 years
and encourages
youngsters
from all walks
of life into
the sport. It
teaches them
how to become
successful and
responsible
anglers whilst
respecting
fish and other
wildlife.
Event
organiser
Lenny Wells,
chairman of
Crawley
Angling
Society, said:
“A lot of hard
work goes into
this day, but
it is well
worth it. This
year 22
children took
part and we’ve
already had
some great
feedback from
the kids and
their
parents.”
The largest
fish of the
day was an
11lb mirror
carp caught by
10-year-old
Chris Adshead.
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Gyrodactylus salaris is spreading through Europe and threatening the UK's salmon population.
Find out how you can help stop this parasite entering the UK.
The Gyrodactylus salaris parasite is less than half a millimetre in size but it can seriously harm or kill salmon. It is widespread in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, and has also been found in France, Germany, Portugal and Spain.
Thankfully the parasite has not yet reached the UK but it is possible that even one parasite imported to a previously unaffected river could cause an epidemic in a very short time.
The main threat is from imported diseased fish and controls are now in place to minimise these risks. However, there is also a small risk that watersports enthusiasts returning from European countries could inadvertently carry the parasite back to this country.
How you can help
The parasite can survive in wet or damp conditions for five to six days on boats, equipment or clothing. If you are returning with equipment used in rivers in the European countries listed above you can help prevent importing the disease on nets, reels, canoes, wetsuits, clothing and footwear by doing two simple things:
Thoroughly drying all equipment for at least 48 hours. (Drying in sunlight in temperatures above 200C), OR
Disinfecting by immersing equipment in seawater or a salt solution (sodium chloride concentration 3% or more) for a minimum of ten minutes.
Marine vessels returning from abroad do not pose a risk as the parasite cannot survive in seawater.
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Ban on fishing
young eels
until next
year to halt
plummeting
population
Published:
02-Jun-10
Fishing for
juvenile eels
has been
banned until
February of
next year in
an effort to
stop their
complete
disappearance
in English
waters, with a
maximum fine
of £50,000 for
those who
break the
rules.
Once common in
British
waters, the
long-term
future the
once
traditional
sea-side
delicacy is
bleak as the
numbers of
eels entering
European
rivers has
crashed by up
to 95 percent
in recent
decades, the
lowest since
records began.
Eels start
life as larvae
at sea
drifting on
the
mid-Atlantic
ocean currents
until they
reach the
coast and grow
into elvers.
They then
enter
estuaries and
migrate
upstream to
grow and
mature in
rivers, lakes,
ponds and
wetlands for
between five
and 50 years
before
migrating
downstream to
the sea to
bread.
Their decline
is thought to
be caused by a
number of
factors
including
fishing and
changes to the
habitats adult
eels depend on
to migrate to
and from the
sea. Their
survival may
also be
affected by
changes in
ocean currents
and
temperatures
which may be
linked to
climate change
Locally, the
Environment
Agency has
tried to boost
eel
populations by
undertaking
works to make
migration
through rivers
and wetlands
easier through
the
installation
of 45 fish
passes,
designed to
allow eels to
navigate past
man made
structures
such as weirs
and locks.
They have also
been going on
patrols to
stop poachers
and improving
availability
of good
quality
habitat for
eels through
habitat
creation
schemes.
Sally
Chadwick,
Fisheries
Technical
Specialist for
Environment
Agency, said:
“Given the
critical state
of our eel
stocks we have
had no choice
but to
introduce a
close season
on fishing for
elvers from
now until 14
February next
year.
“If eel
population
numbers don’t
improve soon
we could reach
a critical
point of no
return and
face the end
of this
species living
in our waters
and possibly
global
extinction.”
Notes
1. Regulation
10 of the
Marine and
Coastal Access
Act 2009 now
makes it an
offence to
fish for
juvenile eels
(or elvers)
BETWEEN 26 May
2010 and 14
February.
2. Eel are
important to
the diet of
several other
rare and
protected
species, such
as otters and
bittern.
3. Eels are
listed as
endangered by
the Convention
on
International
Trade in
Endangered
Species.
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Fishy
goings-on –
and on a
massive scale
Published:
01-Jun-10
One of the
biggest
studies into
freshwater
fish migration
ever to take
place in
Europe is
being
conducted on a
Lincolnshire
river.
The
Environment
Agency is
working with
Lincoln
University on
the project
which aims to
record fish
movements and
habitat use on
the lower
River Witham.
Information
gathered will
be used to
help develop
habitat
improvement
schemes.
Chris Gardner,
of the
Environment
Agency’s Data
Analysis and
Reporting
(Fisheries)
team, is
leading the
study.
He said: “The
course of the
lower River
Witham has
changed many
times over its
2,000-year
history. Its
current course
- without
meanders and a
free-flooding
floodplain -
dates from
1830 and can
be quite
inhospitable
for fish.
“One of the
biggest
pressures is
the lack of a
natural
floodplain.
When the river
rises, high
banks prevent
the river
escaping into
fields and
fish have
difficulty
finding
shelter away
from the heavy
flow in the
main channel.
For this
reason, the
river’s side
channels are
particularly
precious as it
is thought
these are used
by the river’s
fish
population.
This study
aims to gain
evidence to be
used to
maintain and
enhance this
important
habitat.”
The Witham
Bream Project
began in 2006
when seven
native bream
were caught
and tagged
with acoustic
transmitters.
Over the last
three-and-a-half
years, more
than 80 large
adult bream,
weighing
between 4lb
and 7lb, have
been tagged.
The survey is
taking place
on a 40km
stretch of
river between
Bardney Lock,
near Lincoln,
and the
Witham’s tidal
limit at
Boston. Data
will continue
to be
collected
until November
2010.
The tags,
which emit
ultrasonic
‘pings’, can
last up to 20
months. They
transmit
signals to 27
fixed
receivers
along the
length of the
river and in
some of the
side channels
and can
monitor fish
movements 24
hours a day,
seven days a
week.
Receivers log
the date, time
and tag number
when activated
by a passing
fish. Data is
downloaded
every couple
of months and
enables
movements of
individual
fish to be
monitored. So
far, more than
3-million fish
detections
have been
recorded and
it has been
found that the
tagged bream
regularly
travel more
than 20km in
just a few
days.
Dr Paul Eady,
Reader in
Behavioural
Ecology at the
department of
Biological
Sciences,
University of
Lincoln, and
Dr Charles
Deeming, the
university’s
Senior
Lecturer in
Conservation
Biology, are
working with
Chris on the
project.
Dr Eady said:
“This is truly
groundbreaking
research into
the secret
lives of
lowland river
fish. Apart
from the
practicalities
of tagging and
monitoring the
fish, one of
the main
challenges has
been the
analysis and
interpretation
of over
3-million
pieces of
data. However,
from this
data, we have
uncovered some
fascinating
insights into
the behaviour
and ecology of
bream in the
river Witham
which can be
used to inform
the management
of this
important
lowland river
habitat”.
The study has
also
identified
that most
activity
happens in
spring and
that the fish
congregate
en-masse in
certain areas
of the river
over winter.
Chris said:
“The results
of the work
demonstrate
the mobility
of freshwater
fish and the
importance of
shallow
side-channels
that provide
valuable
spawning
habitat. It
also
highlights how
fish use
deeper
side-channels
as essential
refuge during
winter
floods.”
Notes
Tags are
surgically
implanted into
the fish’s
body cavity
through a
small incision
on the belly
that is closed
with a single
stitch.
Tagging is
carried out
under full
anaesthesia
in-the-field
and is
licensed by
the Home
Office, under
the Animals
(Scientific
Procedures)
Act 1986.
Large adult
fish are
tagged because
they are
fairly safe
from predation
and are an
important
target for
anglers.
A recent fish
survey on
Sincil Dyke,
carried out as
part of the
Witham Bream
Project,
resulted in
more than 2.5
tonnes of fish
being netted,
counted and
returned to
the river. The
fish included
tench, pike,
roach and more
than 1,200
bream weighing
between 2lb
and 7lb. Among
the fish
caught, three
had been
previously
tagged. These
were
re-released at
Langrick
Bridge, on the
River Witham,
to test their
homing
instinct.
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Otters left
dead after
illegal
fishing on
nature reserve
Published:
28-May-10
Two otters
have been left
dead after
nets were
illegally set
in an
Environment
Agency nature
reserve and in
the River
Hull.
High Eske
Nature Reserve
at Tickton,
near Beverley,
is an
important
spawning
ground for
coarse fish,
such as pike,
perch, carp
and bream in
the River Hull
and angling is
strictly
controlled.
Fishing with
nets at the
reserve is
prohibited and
the illegal
nets snared
two otters so
that they were
unable to
escape. Both
otters had
been dead for
some time.
Walkers found
the trapped
otters
yesterday
afternoon and
raised the
alarm with the
Environment
Agency. The
RSPCA,
Environment
Agency
fisheries
enforcement
officers and
Humberside
Police’s
wildlife crime
officer
attended the
scene and
gathered
evidence,
including
retrieving the
dead otters
and seizing
the nets.
“Illegal
angling has
become an
increasing
problem at the
reserve in
recent
months,” said
Environment
Agency team
leader Phil
Young.
“Use of this
type of nets
is illegal and
in this
location has
resulted in
the death of
two otters.
“We want
residents and
birdwatchers
to be able to
enjoy the
reserve and
its wildlife
and would
appeal to any
responsible
visitors to
immediately
report
anything
suspicious
that they see
by calling our
incident
hotline on
0800 80 70
60.”
Sgt Dave
Jenkins of
Humberside
Police said:
"I have lived
in this area
all my life
and spent a
lot of time
along the
banks of this
river and
never had the
pleasure of
seeing an
otter. They
are something
of a rarity,
so to find two
dead ones is
quite
devastating to
the
reintroduction
of otters into
this area.
“What makes
matters far
worse is that
their deaths
were totally
unnecessary
and caused by
people who
have placed
nets both in
the river and
nearby pond to
illegally
catch eels.
“We shall be
working with
the
Environment
Agency and
RSPCA to
ensure that
something like
this does not
happen again
and if we can
identify the
person or
persons who
placed the
nets we will
be looking to
prosecute
those
offenders."
RSPCA
inspector
Geoff Edmond
said: ”I’m
appalled by
what’s
happened here.
Otters are
just beginning
to
re-establish
themselves in
East Yorkshire
which makes it
all the more
tragic that
two of their
number have
been killed in
this way.
“They are
fully
protected
under the
Wildlife and
Countryside
Act and we are
working hard
to find out
who was
responsible.
Anyone with
any
information
should call
the RSPCA
cruelty line
on 0300 1234
999 and ask to
leave a
message for
me.”
The nature
reserve is a
former clay
pit which
originally
provided clay
to raise and
strengthen
flood banks
alongside the
River Hull.
The 30-acres
site is next
to Pulfin Bog
SSSI (Site of
Special
Scientific
Interest), one
of the few
remaining
pieces of
fenland in the
area, which is
managed by
Yorkshire
Wildlife
Trust.
Over the past
20 years, High
Eske Nature
Reserve has
become a home
for many types
of ducks and
geese, as well
as barn owls.
Little egrets,
a species
rarely seen in
the UK, also
have been
spotted.
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Help stitch
together a
picture of
fisheries
crime
Published:
26-May-10
The
Environment
Agency has
launched an
operation to
protect fish
stocks across
Lincolnshire,
Northamptonshire
and
Cambridgeshire
against
criminals.
Operation
launched to
reel in
criminals
Operation
Tapestry aims
to tackle
large-scale
illegal
fishing
activities
such as
netting and
the use of
long-lines - a
fixed
unattended
line with one
or more baited
hooks attached
- as well as
illegal
movements of
fish from one
body of water
to another.
Tapestry is
being led by
the
Environment
Agency’s
Environmental
Crime Team.
The operation
will gather
intelligence
that will be
used to build
up a picture
of where
illegal
activities are
taking place
and deploy
resources to
catch those
who are
responsible.
Environmental
Crime Officer
Mark Rumble
said: “We need
to reel in the
perpetrators
of these
crimes. Some
of these fish
are worth
quite a lot of
money. A big
specimen carp
can be worth
up to £5,000
and a lot of
carp are
illegally
imported from
Europe where
they grow
bigger. One
diseased or
parasite-carrying
fish
introduced
into another
fishery can
have a massive
impact on that
fishery.”
As well as
targeting
people who
illegally
remove fish
from lakes and
rivers,
Operation
Tapestry will
also help to
protect eels.
Eel numbers
have crashed
by 95 per cent
since the
1980’s yet
they are often
caught here
illegally for
shipping
abroad to be
sold
throughout
Europe and the
Far East.
A dedicated
information
hotline has
been set up on
01522 785894
for people
with
information
and
intelligence
about illegal
fish movement
or removal.
If, however, a
crime is in
progress,
witnesses
should ring
0800 807060 to
report it.
Supporting
information
such as
vehicle
registration
numbers and
any other
evidence is
very useful.
Mark said:
“The
Environment
Agency
recognises
there is a
problem with
this sort of
activity and
we have
launched
Operation
Tapestry to
gather the
evidence we
need to do
something
about it. We
will still
respond to
incidents when
they happen
but will also
now be
recording
information to
build up a
picture of
where we have
problems and
identify those
responsible.
“This type of
crime
threatens the
livelihoods of
law-abiding
fisheries
owners, the
future of
angling and
the
environment.
Illegal
catching and
movement of
fish can
introduce
disease and
pose a danger
to aquatic
mammals and
other
creatures that
may get caught
as a result of
the trapping
methods used.”
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Salmon numbers
set to
increase on
the River Mole
as massive
weir is
removed
Published:
20-May-10
In the first
project of its
kind in the
south west,
salmon and sea
trout will
soon be free
to swim up the
whole of the
River Mole in
North Devon
The
Environment
Agency and
Westcountry
Rivers Trust
have joined
forces with
anglers and
riparian
owners to
demolish a
massive
concrete weir
at the
Kingsnympton
Park Estate.
Its removal
will give
migratory fish
access to the
top of the
river and its
tributaries.
The £220,000
job, designed
by consultants
Halcrow and
awarded by the
Westcountry
Rivers Trust
to the
Environment
Agency’s
operations
delivery team,
will start in
early June and
should take
12-14 weeks to
complete.
The weir is
being replaced
by a ‘rock
ramp’, a
fish-friendly
structure
consisting of
a series of
stone boulders
and small
pools to help
salmon and sea
trout migrate
upstream to
their spawning
areas. The
boulders,
weighing up to
3 tonnes each,
will be
carefully
positioned to
create a
series of
artificial
riffles to aid
fish movement.
‘This is the
first time a
rock ramp has
been used on a
west country
river so this
is very much a
ground-breaking
project. We
are grateful
to everyone
who has worked
together to
help secure
more fish in
this important
Devon river,’
said Dr Kelvin
Broad, for the
Environment
Agency.
The project
has been made
possible by a
combination of
funding from
Defra and the
European
Regional
Development
Fund to the
Westcountry
Rivers Trust,
plus the
buyout and
closure of
Head Mill
Trout Farm
funded by
donations to
the Trust by
members of the
River Taw
Fisheries
Association.
Kingsnympton
Park Estate
has given its
consent to the
removal of the
weir.
In addition to
helping fish
migration, the
boulders used
in the rock
ramp will be
positioned to
ensure the
river
continues to
feed water to
the mill wheel
at historic
Head Mill.
‘This is a
major step
forward for
the Lower Taw,
Mole and Bray.
It has been
well supported
by riparian
owners who
have
appreciated
the importance
of this
project. We
can now turn
our attention
to the Upper
Taw and
improving fish
passage over
weirs there.’
said Alex
Gibson,
chairman of
the River Taw
Fisheries
Association.
The river
downstream of
the weir may
be discoloured
during the
work but the
Environment
Agency team
will do its
best to
minimise the
effect on the
river and the
impact on
local angling.
The River Taw
Fisheries
Association
will keep
affected
riparian
owners
informed.
‘The removal
of this weir
will improve
the river
ecosystem and
should boost
the local
salmon and sea
trout
populations.
These benefits
are well
understood and
well
documented and
are
justification
alone for this
project,’ said
Dr Dylan
Bright,
director of
the
Westcountry
Rivers Trust.
‘What is
special about
this project,
however, is
the
partnership
approach
adopted. There
has been an
unprecedented
quantity of
voluntary
contribution
of time and
funds and a
fluid and
balanced
partnership
between
public,
private and
charitable
sectors to
deliver a very
cost-
effective and
popular
project.’
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Thousands of
eels get a
wriggle on in
West Yorkshire
Published:
19-May-10
Eels nurtured
in Yorkshire
will boost
dwindling
numbers
internationally
thanks to the
Environment
Agency and the
Calder and
Colne Rivers
Trust’s plan
to introduce
54,000 of them
to the River
Calder in
Dewsbury and
Wakefield.
The Calder
eels will
eventually
leave the
region’s
rivers to
spawn at sea.
Their
offspring will
then be swept
back to the
eastern
Atlantic
coastline and
could enter
rivers
anywhere
between
Morroco and
Iceland.
Over the last
50 years eel
numbers in the
UK and across
Europe have
dropped
dramatically,
and the Calder
is a priority
for restocking
in Yorkshire.
Eel numbers
are now so low
that the
International
Union for
Conservation
of Nature and
Natural
Resources
classes the
species as
critically
endangered.
Environment
Agency
fisheries
officer Jerome
Masters said:
“We are
stocking young
eels into
areas of the
Calder that
have good
habitat, which
will help the
young fish to
grow to
maturity.
“Eels can’t
reach these
places without
our help,
because weirs
downstream
stop them
swimming in
from the sea.
The weirs will
not block
downstream
migration
though, so the
eels will be
able to get
back to sea
when they
begin their
spawning
migration.
“The Calder
will become a
nursery for
the eels for
10 years or
more, by which
time they will
be strong
enough to
literally find
their own way
in the world.”
The young
eels, known as
elvers, total
around 18
kilos in
weight, and
have been
caught in the
River Severn
and
transported to
Yorkshire
before being
released into
the Calder.
In their
natural life
cycle, eels
are born in
the Sargasso
Sea, south of
Bermuda, and
drift with the
ocean currents
to Europe on a
journey that
can take
several years.
Once in the
freshwater,
males
typically stay
for six to 12
years and
females for
nine to 20
years before
making their
way back to
the Sargasso
to breed and
die.
There is
limited
information
about the
decline of
eels in
Yorkshire
rivers,
however
experts say
the eel
population on
the River Hull
is only 20 per
cent of its
expected
level.
The Calder,
like the River
Hull, feeds
into the
Humber
Estuary, which
is one of the
biggest
estuaries in
the country.
At one time
its eels not
only
contributed to
a thriving
fishing
industry but
were also
vital food for
otters, herons
and bitterns.
However,
increasing
development
means that
most rivers
feeding into
the estuary
have
obstructions
such as weirs
on them.
These prevent
eels from
reaching
higher up into
the river
system, and
some
watercourses
such as the
Don and the
Aire have
weirs at their
mouth which
close off the
entire river
and its
tributaries to
the species.
A vicar
writing his
diary in the
17th century
records how
young eels,
known as
elvers, were
so plentiful
in the River
Don, at
Trumfleet near
Doncaster,
that mill
owners had to
bring pigs in
to eat the
elvers so that
their mill
wheels would
turn again.
Jerome said:
“Eels are the
opposite of
salmon. Eels
spawn in salt
water while
salmon spawn
in fresh
water, salmon
are majestic
and leap up
weirs while
eels slither
down them at
night.
However,
increasing
numbers of
salmon are
returning to
Yorkshire’s
rivers so
hopefully we
can achieve
one similarity
by helping to
turn the eels
into a
Yorkshire
success story
too.”
EEL FACTS
The scientific
name for the
European eel
is Anguilla
anguilla.
European eels
are believed
to spawn in
the Sargasso
sea in the
western
Atlantic.
Maturing
females have
been reported
to contain up
to 10 million
eggs.
The
leaf-shaped
larvae (leptocephaulli)
hatch and
drift in the
Gulf Stream
and North
Atlantic
currents for
up to three
years until
they reach the
shores of
Europe and
North Africa.
Some adult
eels can spend
more than 30
years in fresh
water
(although it
is usually six
to 20 years)
and then their
instinct for
the sea leads
them back
towards the
breeding
grounds of the
Sargasso
again.
The numbers of
juvenile eels,
known as
elvers or
glass eels,
arriving in
rivers which
the
Environment
Agency
monitors, were
the lowest
ever recorded
in 2001, with
numbers only
two per cent
of what they
were 20 years
ago.
In Europe it
is estimated
that between
2,500 and
10,000 tonnes
of eels are
killed each
year in
hydro-electric
turbines.
The oldest
recorded age
for an eel is
40 years. Some
can reach
weights of 7lb
(3.2
kilograms) and
lengths of 100
centimetres.
The heaviest
recorded
weight for an
eel is 11lb
2oz which was
caught in
1978.
The abundance
of eels in
Europe has
declined since
the 1970s,
which is
largely
thought to be
related to
habitat loss.
Other factors
influencing
the eel stock
are pollution,
overfishing,
the
introduction
of the
parasitic
nematode
Anguillicola
crassus.and
possibly the
climate change
altering the
pattern of
ocean currents
running from
the spawning
grounds near
the Caribbean
to the coast
of Europe.
Estuaries are
important
access points
into many
freshwater
systems.
However,
access into
and up these
systems can be
a major
problem with
weirs, sluices
and flap
valves prevent
elvers from
swimming
upstream.
Eels are an
important food
source for
other rare
species such
as the otter
and the
bittern.
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Rod licence
income helps
disabled
anglers at
Berkswell
Published:
18-May-10
Anglers who
buy rod
licences have
made a real
difference to
the lives of
disabled
anglers at
Lavender Hall
Fishery, at
Berkswell near
Coventry.
The
Environment
Agency has
invested
£10,000 of rod
licence income
in an
award-winning
scheme to
improve access
for all
anglers,
including
those with a
disability, at
the Fishery.
The money was
spent on
materials
which enabled
the fishery to
build eleven
new platforms,
new pathways
and a special
coaching
platform. They
are all built
to comply with
the national
standard of
‘Accessible
for All’
platforms
recognised by
the British
Disabled
Angling
Association (BDAA)
and they can
be enjoyed by
all anglers,
disabled or
otherwise.
The new
facilities at
Lavender Hall
Fishery
include:
One 23 metre
by 2 metre
disabled
access
training
platform and
two disabled
access angling
platforms,
each 1.8
metres by 1.8
metres with
access
pathways at
Dragon Pool
eight disabled
angling
platforms
(1.8m by 1.8m)
and access
pathways on
Bens Pool
one disabled
access angling
platform (1.8m
by 1.8m) on
Oak Pool.
The new
facilities led
to the project
winning a BDAA
Accessible
Fisheries
Award Scheme
Gold Award for
disabled
access which
was presented
to Lavender
Hall Fishery
by Environment
Agency
Fisheries
Officer, Tom
Astley, who
was involved
in the
project.
Tom Astley
said “It was a
pleasure to be
involved in
this project,
which will
make such a
difference to
the lives of
Lavender Hall
Fishery’s
disabled
anglers.
“It is another
example of the
way we invest
rod licence
income in the
future of
angling. We
are committed
to making
angling more
accessible for
everyone to
enjoy. Anglers
who buy rod
licences can
be sure that
we spend their
money wisely
for the
benefit of
today’s and
tomorrow’s
anglers.”
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Oversized,
oversexed and
over here
Published:
18-May-10
As part of the
International
Year of
Biodiversity
2010, the
Environment
Agency is
urging people
to protect our
native
Midlands
species by
being being
careful how
they deal with
unwanted pets,
fish and
plants from
other parts of
the world.
In the wild,
non-native
species are
one of the
main threats
to our natural
biodiversity.
They upset the
natural
balance of the
environment
and can, in
some cases, be
harmful to
humans and
pets as well
as wildlife.
Back home,
non-native
species are
controlled by
predators and
competitors
which do not
exist here.
Free of such
control, some
are voracious
predators.
Others
out-compete
native breeds
for food,
space and
light. Our own
wildlife and
plants have no
resistance to
the diseases
and parasites
they carry.
And, once
established,
they are very
difficult to
get rid of.
The pretty
little plant
you tire of
and throw out
may become a
monster on the
riverbank.
Even Goldie
the goldfish
and his
friends can
turn into
killers,
causing the
deaths of
local fish.
The tiny
parasite-carrying
South East
Asian
Topmouth
Gudgeon,
which can
breed faster
than a rabbit,
is already
thriving in
lakes and
ponds in
Worcestershire,
Shropshire and
parts of
Staffordshire.
It could cause
havoc if it
gets into the
Rivers Trent
and Severn.
A fish called
a
Zander,
a voracious
predator from
Mainland
Europe which
can reach
130cm in
length, is
widespread in
Midlands
rivers, canals
and lakes,
including the
Rivers Severn,
Avon, Trent,
Lower Soar,
Lower Derwent
and the
Midlands Canal
network.
The aggressive
American
Signal
Crayfish
out-competes
our tiny
native
white-clawed
crayfish for
food and
carries a
disease called
crayfish
plague which
native
crayfish have
no resistance
to. Whole
colonies of
native
crayfish have
been wiped
out, such as
the one that
used to live
on the River
Manifold in
Derbyshire
until hundreds
died of
crayfish
plague in
August 2008.
American
Signal
Crayfish also
exist in parts
of
Worcestershire,
Shropshire,
and
Staffordshire.
Animals like
the
American
Mink
have decimated
populations of
native breeds
such as the
water vole,
the much loved
Ratty from
Wind in the
Willows. Mink
can be found
on rivers
across the
Midlands but
especially the
River Soar in
Leicestershire.
Non-native
plants are no
less of an
issue.
North
American
Floating
Pennywort
probably
escaped from
aquaria or
garden ponds.
It grows at an
alarming rate,
doubling its
wet weight in
just three
days. It clogs
up
watercourses,
causes
flooding,
hampers water
recreation and
smothers
native plants.
It has been
found on the
River Soar in
Leicester,
where we have
been working
with the City
Council and
British
Waterways to
clear
stretches of
the river.
Unfortunately
floating
pennywort has
now been found
in the River
Trent as well,
and further
efforts are
needed to
control it
there.
Water
Primrose,
an ornamental
and water
garden plant,
is being
tackled by the
Environment
Agency at a
lake near
Lydney on the
Severn
Estuary, one
of just 13
infested sites
across the UK.
It is a
serious health
and safety
risk to water
users as it
looks like
solid ground.
Japanese
Knotweed
is a
particularly
knotty
problem. This
fast-growing
favourite of
Victorian
gardeners
causes serious
problems on
roadsides,
riverbanks and
derelict land,
where it
causes
structural
damage,
overpowers
native plants
and increases
the risk of
flooding. It
is widespread
across the
Midlands.
Originally
from the
Caucasus
mountains,
Giant
Hogweed
is as nasty as
its name
suggests. A
slight touch
from this
toxic 5 metre
high plant
causes painful
blistering.
The 50,000
seeds produced
by each plant
remain viable
for up to 15
years. It is
especially
common along
parts of the
River Severn,
in
Warwickshire,
the River
Sence, the
River Wye in
the Peak
District and
the River Sow
in
Staffordshire.
The pink
flowers of the
3-metre high
Himalayan
Balsam
are now a
common sight
on Midlands
riverbanks.
The tallest
annual plant
in the UK, it
suffocates
native plants
and leaves
riverbanks
vulnerable to
erosion.
Although
widespread, it
is most
commonly found
along the
River Severn
near
Shrewsbury,
the River
Derwent at
Derby, and the
Rivers Churnet,
Dove, Trent
and Tame.
It is vital to
act
immediately if
there is to be
any chance of
controlling
invasive
species. The
Water
Framework
Directive
encourages the
Environment
Agency to work
with partners
to identify
new problem
species as
they arise,
and take early
action to deal
with them.
Andrew Heaton,
from the
Environment
Agency, says
“Exotic
plants, fish
and animals
are fine if
they are kept
in a contained
environment
from which
they can’t
escape. The
problem arises
when they are
released or
escape into
the wild where
they can cause
damage and
decimate
populations of
our native
wildlife or
plants.
“People may
think they are
being kind by
releasing
unwanted fish
or plants but
they could be
contributing
to a major
problem for
our natural
environment.
They are also
breaking the
law.
“So, if you
buy anything
that is native
to another
part of the
world, do not
allow it to
get into the
wild here in
the UK. You
can find
advice about
many species
on our website
at
www.environment-agency.gov.uk”
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Prosecution warning over illegal crayfish trapping
Environment Agency urge public to contact them before fishing for crayfish
Published:
14-Apr-10
The Environment Agency, Cumbria Constabulary, the CPS and Natural England are warning that people risk prosecution if they fish for crayfish without a licence. The strict laws are in place to protect native white clawed crayfish populations, which are under threat from alien American signal crayfish.
Today (13 April 2010), Christopher Hemsley, 41, from Bramhope, Leeds appeared before Kendal magistrates for one offence under Sec 9 Wildlife Act and one offence of unlicensed fishing. He pleaded guilty to both offences and was fined 3500 GBP for the Wildlife Act offence and £400 for unlicensed fishing. He was also ordered to pay 85 GBP in costs and given a victim surcharge of 15 GBP.
The prosecution comes after a member of the public contacted the Environment Agency on the morning of 27 September 2009, reporting that they had spotted a number of men removing native white claw crayfish from the River Kent at Staveley. Fisheries Officers from the Environment Agency went down to the site and found a number of illegally set crayfish traps. After contacting the police for assistance Mr Hemsley was stopped, and
tried to empty the contents of a carrier bag back into the river. Investigations found 14 cooked crayfish in a vehicle, further investigations revealed that over 40 protected native White clawed crayfish had been illegally taken and killed. Officers were able to return several live Crayfish to the river.
Native crayfish have come under threat from signal crayfish, who out compete them for food and habitat and spread crayfish plague. A new Byelaw for trapping crayfish in England and Wales came into force in 2005, which restricts the accidental or deliberate movement of alien crayfish to reduce the risk of 'crayfish plague' being spread to native crayfish, whilst still allowing the legitimate trapping of the crustaceans in some
areas. To ensure the protection of our native crayfish trapping is not permitted in the North West of England.
Matt Brazier, Fisheries Team Leader at the Environment Agency said, “We need to protect our native crayfish populations, and managing trapping is a vital way to achieve this.
“The media have raised the profile of signal crayfish as ‘food for free’, and highlighted the need to protect native white clawed crayfish from signal crayfish. However, as this case demonstrates this can do more harm than good. The public perception is often that trapping of signal crayfish is benefiting the environment. In reality the risks this activity brings can outweigh the benefits. Legal trapping is permitted in some
area’s, but it is not a sustainable means of addressing the problems caused by non-native crayfish.”
“Signal crayfish have spread so rapidly as a direct result of deliberate and accidental introductions by man. Promotion of signal crayfish as a food source can lead to an increase in this activity. Unregulated trapping also increases the risks of spread of crayfish plague, risks to otters and other wildlife through the use of inappropriate traps, in which they can drown, and as we see here, accidental trapping of our native
crayfish species.”
I would encourage anyone considering trapping crayfish to contact our National Fisheries Permitting Team for advice on 01480 483968
PC John Shaw, a wildlife officer from Cumbria Constabulary said, “Cumbria Constabulary is dedicated to investigating reports of wildlife crime thoroughly in order to bring offenders to justice. Due to the nature and location of the crimes, wildlife offences can be difficult to tackle so we work closely with partners such as the Environment Agency to provide an effective, joined up policing response.
“This case demonstrates how seriously police and the criminal justice system takes the issue of wildlife crime. We are fortunate to live in a beautiful county with precious, natural habitats and will deal robustly with anyone who decides to try and spoil it.”
Peter Kelly, Senior Crown Prosecutor from the Cumbria Crown Prosecution Service said:
“I worked closely with the officers from the Environment Agency and Cumbria Constabulary to bring this case against Christopher Hemsley under the Wildlife Act. After carefully examining all the evidence that had been gathered during the investigation, I was satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute and that it was in the public interest to do so. I particularly took into account the large numbers of white clawed
crayfish, a protected species in law, that Mr Hemsley admitted taking from the river, and the fact that he was caught by environment agency officers actually in the process of fishing for them.”
American signal crayfish first arrived in the UK’s rivers in the 1970s after escaping from fish farms. They quickly wiped out the white-clawed crayfish from rivers they invaded by out-competing them for food and habitat, and because they carry a fungal disease which is deadly to the native population.
The key issues which led to the legislative changes include:
Threats to native crayfish from signal crayfish
Signal crayfish out compete native crayfish for food and habitat. They also spread crayfish plague, which is harmless to signal crayfish, but has a devastating effect on native populations. They also have a detrimental impact on the wider eco system of the river eating fish eggs and juveniles. This could threaten our salmon populations in the NW.
Identification
Many of those who fish for crayfish are not well enough informed to identify the differences between the two types of crayfish. This has led to misidentification which threatens native crayfish due to accidental and illegal removal. The Environment Agency provides detailed information to assist the public through our ‘Using the Right Trap’ A guide to Crayfish Trapping’ advice pack when they enquire about a licence.
Trapping
Although trapping has been advocated by some to control signal crayfish populations, this can be counter productive. Traps may lead to crayfish plague being spread. The traps themselves are size selective – trapping only the large adults. While this may slow reproduction, it leaves the juveniles free to disperse and will not ultimately prevent their spread.
Damage to river banks
Signal crayfish burrow into the banks of rivers. By doing this they can undermine the structure of river banks.
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Fishing without a licence costs rod licence cheats nearly 700 GBP
Published:
14-Apr-10
Today (13 April 2010) at North Staffordshire Magistrates Court, fishing without a valid rod licence cost three cheating anglers a total of £686.
David Brown, age 31 years, of Eaton Avenue, Litherland, Liverpool, was fined £175 and ordered to pay £127 in costs and a victim surcharge of £15. He was convicted of intending to fish without a valid rod licence at Cudmore Fisheries, Whitmore, on 31 January 2010. The case was proved in his absence.
Joshua Matthias, age 20 years, of Kingsfield Road, Basford, Newcastle under Lyme, was fined £70 and ordered to pay £127 in costs and a victim surcharge of £15. He pleaded guilty in person to a charge of fishing without a valid rod licence at Rudyard Lake, Leek, on 13 February 2010.
Craig Harvey, age 29 years of Mallory Road, Norton, Stoke on Trent, was fined £15 and ordered to pay £127 in costs and a victim surcharge of £15, to be paid at £5 per week. He pleaded guilty in person to a charge of fishing without a valid rod licence at Holden Lane, Milton, on 4 February 2010.
A day’s fishing without an Environment Agency rod licence could prove very expensive, with a maximum possible fine of £2,500.
Speaking after the case, Midlands Strategic Specialist, Martin Cooper, said: “Anglers who fish without a valid rod licence need to be aware that our Water Bailiffs are out and about checking rod licences. As today’s result demonstrates, sooner or later they are going to get caught and we won’t hesitate to prosecute.
“Not only does a prosecution prove costly, with fines of up to £2,500, it also marks an angler out as someone who cheats his fellow anglers. When you buy a rod licence, the money is used to help fund our work managing fisheries and improving the sport for everyone, work such as re-stocking rivers after pollution incidents. So if you don’t buy a rod licence, you reduce the pleasure of the sport for everyone else.
“The message from this court case is loud and clear – if you haven’t got a valid rod licence, get one today.”
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1000GBP bill for angler fishing illegally
Published:
13-Apr-10
King’s Lynn Magistrates court last week (1 April) handed out the largest angling fine ever, in the East of England, for attempting to take fish and using rods and lines in such a way to cause harm to fish.
Matthew Collins from Hertford was fined £400 for attempting to take fish and £500 for using rods and lines in such a way as to cause damage to fish, in December last year, from the Stoke Ferry cut-off channel. He was also ordered to pay £127 costs to the Environment Agency.
Thomas Coombes, also from Hertford, was fined a total of £250 for the same two offences and ordered to pay £127 costs. Both men pleaded guilty to the charges.
The cut-off channel where they were fishing was clearly signposted ‘no fishing’ in several places, including on the road which gives access to the area and on the river bank itself. The Environment Agency has also carried out publicity over recent years to inform anglers that there is no fishing in this area.
Although both men produced valid rod licences, under Environment Agency byelaws they should not have been fishing in the area, and the way in which they were using their rods was also prohibited.
Where multiple rods are used, the butt ends of the outside rods must not be more than 3m apart. In this case, the butt ends were up to 45m apart. The rule is in place to protect the welfare of fish, as rods placed too far apart cannot be checked fast enough to prevent fish being harmed by being hooked on them.
Environment Agency bailiff Mick Robinson said: ‘These people were fishing in an area where it is clearly sign-posted that no fishing is allowed. To add to this, they were using rods and lines in a way that could have left fish struggling on a hook for some time. I am very pleased with this result and hope it will make all anglers check that they are fishing in the right area and that they do so in a responsible manner.’
On the same day at King’s Lynn Magistrates court, Ramunas Katkevicius from London was fined £175 and ordered to pay £75 costs for fishing without a rod licence in November 2009.
Freshwater anglers are reminded to check that they have a valid licence, readily available for inspection when fishing. Full season licences are due for renewal on 1 April 2010. Short term licences valid for either 1 or 8 days are also available. Licenses can be obtained from any Post Office, by direct debit by calling 08708 506 506, telesales by calling 0844 800 5386 or online from
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence
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Court appearance leaves elver fishermen sunk
Published:
12-Apr-10
Gloucester man guilty of illegally fishing for elvers on the River Severn at Wainlodes
Mark Anthony Green was ordered serve a three-month curfew order (between 8pm and 8am) and pay £300 in costs after a successful prosecution by the Environment Agency. He was also ordered to forfeit his fishing net.
On Friday, Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court heard how the 33-year-old was seen by fisheries bailiffs on banks of the River Severn at Maisemore carrying an elver net on a night in March 2009. When challenged he was unable to produce a valid elver dip-net licence. On another occasion in April 2009, Mr Green was using a boat at Wainlodes Cliff. He and a passenger had landed near the Red Lion pub when they were challenged by Environment
Agency bailiffs. Mr Green got back in his boat and headed off, despite orders from bailiffs and the police to come back. It was only when they threatened to seize his vehicle that he returned some time later and was cautioned.
Imposing the three-month curfew, the Magistrate said that this would prevent Mr Green from fishing for elvers for the rest of this season. If Mr Green leaves his home during the restricted hours he will be in breach of the order.
Lead Bailiff, Bill Burleigh, said after the case “We have built up a healthy rapport with the elver fishing community. Most people understand the rules and are pleased to see us doing our job, which is to protect elver stocks and so enable sustainable fishing to continue. Provided that netsmen have a valid dip-net licence issued by the Environment Agency and they follow the byelaws, we have no problems.”
Many elvers from the River Severn are stocked into rivers and lakes around Europe where they have the chance to grow into adult eels and complete their return journey to the Sargasso Sea where they spawn at an age of 15 to 25 years. Recent studies estimate that elver numbers have plummeted by 98% across Europe in the last 30 years.
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