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~ Welcome
to Fish-uk News ~
Fishing
News from May 2008 to October 2008
Fishing News from October 2008 - April 2009
Present Fishing News from April 2009
Local and national fishing news and articles.
Latest news courtesy of the
Environment Agency National Press Office.
Any news will be added as it
becomes available.
If you would like to post an article for your fellow anglers to
have a look at
send it to
jim@Fish-uk.com
IMPORTANT
Use of information on this page from the Environment Agency is restricted.
Use may be granted - Subject to complying with the Environment Agency's terms and Conditions.
These can be read here
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or this is a link to their Terms and Conditions webpage
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Fish take dip in local pool
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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!
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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
|
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
|
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.
The match was
organised by the Environment Agency in partnership with Northumbrian
Water, Tyne Anglers Alliance, and the Tyne Rivers Trust, with the
help of local fishing tackle shops, angling clubs and riparian
owners who donated their fishing for the event.
·
Winning angler was Eddie Bridon, who fished the Riding Mill section
of the main Tyne, with a bag of dace, roach and chub, totalling an
impressive 60lbs 14oz. This is the second biggest weight recorded in
the five-year history of the match, and gained the first prize of
£500.
·
Second place went to Ian Kirton who secured a prize of £400 with
another mixed bag from the Hexham section just downstream of the
town which weighed in at 44lb 6oz.
·
The
average weight landed in the match was around 13lbs per angler, with
17 competitors landing 20lbs of fish or more and an incredible 42
double-figure bags recorded. Dace were the most plentiful fish,
followed by chub and roach. Other species recorded included eels and
gudgeon.
Environment Agency
Fisheries Technical Specialist, Phil Rippon – who himself weighed in
with a creditable 32lb 10oz – said: “Once again, the Tyne
Championship has proved a great success, with some fantastic
fishing, and improved information on the river’s fish stocks. We had
85 anglers travelling from as far a field as Northamptonshire to
participate.
“Recent heavy rain
left the river in high flow, so to offer the best fishing conditions
possible to anglers, the Agency arranged with Northumbrian Water for
a temporary suspension of the large release from Kielder Water,
which had started earlier in the week.”
Anglers gathered
at the auction mart in Hexham to draw their pegs, which ran from
Wark on the North Tyne down to Bywell on the main Tyne. Once the
draw was completed anglers dispersed to their pegs before commencing
the 5 hour match at 11:00am.
“In addition to
providing a fantastic day’s sport for anglers from across the
region, the information provided by the catch records, carefully
recorded by Environment Agency staff as each angler weighed in, will
be used to continue to improve our knowledge of the Tyne’s fish
stocks, and help target effective management actions in the future.
“I’d like to thank
everyone who helped in organising the match, and all those who
kindly offered anglers access to their water for the event.”
Photos are
available on request.
Media enquiries:
0113 231 2381 / 2469 / 2373 or
outside normal
office hours, please call 0800 80 70 60.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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_______________
Environment Agency improves fish
parasite action
|
20th
August 2008 Environment Agency -
Press Release
Fisheries and
fish suppliers are benefiting from changes the Environment Agency
is making to the way it controls harmful fish parasites.
Paul Lidgett,
Fisheries Policy Advisor at the Environment Agency, said: “Over
the past year our scientists have established a new process to
assess the risks parasites pose to fisheries.
“This allows us
to assess the risk of new parasites to fisheries and those we
already control. We can establish which parasites pose little or
no risk and remove controls on them to help reduce the costs on
fisheries and fish suppliers. The assessment also helps us take
rapid action to apply controls and prevent spread where new
parasites are detected which do pose a threat.”
One project
looked at the fish parasite Neoergasilus japonicus, a
crustacean that infects the skin of a wide range of coarse fish
and salmonids. The parasite, which first appeared in fisheries in
the early 1990s, is currently classed as a Category 2 parasite.
This means strict controls are
placed on where infected fish can be moved to
and can only be stocked into totally enclosed waters with
no risk of escape.
However, as a
result of research work by the Environment Agency, from 1
September 2008, Neoergasilus japonicus will be removed from
the list of Category 2 controlled pathogens. This change could
benefit the fish supply industry to the tune of £100,000 and free
up fish for sale from many restricted waters.
Paul Lidgett
continued: “Our decision was independently peer-reviewed by a
panel of scientists and independent fish health experts. The group
concluded that Neoergasilus japonicus does not pose a
significant threat to fish stocks, either at an individual host or
population level.
“The change to
the parasite list enables us to focus on more significant threats
and will help us strengthen the controls we have in place. By
critically assessing each Category 2 parasites we are increasing
credibility of the list. The project has also shown that there is
a real need for other parasites to remain on the Category 2 list
and be strictly controlled.”
Mike Heylin of
the Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust said: “The work now
done by the Environment Agency is strengthening the control of
fish parasites. The removal of those that don't cause harm and the
assessment of new threats can only help protect our fisheries by
allowing the Environment Agency and fisheries managers to
concentrate on those which do cause fish problems."
In the last
year, the fish health team at the Environment Agency has also:
-
detected fish
parasites new to England and
Wales and assessed the need for controls on them;
-
investigated
cases of swollen vents (Red Vent) in salmon;
-
investigated
specific disease problems on stillwater fisheries;
-
developed new
guidance to prevent fish disease outbreaks;
-
produced
guidance for the identification of Category 2 parasites;
-
expanded our
work on fish deaths;
-
investigated
the disease potential of some non-native fish populations;
-
assessed the
fish disease threat climate change may bring to our fisheries;
-
supported the
work to improve fish movement legislation through the Marine
Bill.
Further information can be found at
www.efishbusiness.co.uk
and for more information about the
Environment Agency’s fisheries work, visit
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fishing.
Media enquiries:
020 7863 8710 or outside normal office hours, please contact the
National Duty Press Officer on 07798 882 092.
Category 2
parasites include those fish parasites and diseases that the
Environment Agency considers to pose a known or potential threat
to native fish stocks in England and Wales. They are all
non-native parasites, and include those which have entered the
country in recent decades and have become established in some
waters.
|
Parasite |
Hosts |
|
Category 2
parasites |
Anguillicola
crassus |
Eel |
|
Bothriochephalus acheilognathi |
Common
carp/variants, grass carp, tench, crucian carp, orfe, roach,
common bream. |
|
Ergasilus
briani |
Large range
of coarse and salmonid species |
|
Ergasilus
sieboldi |
Large range
of coarse and salmonid species |
|
Monobothrium
wagneri |
Tench
|
|
Neoergasilus
japonicus |
Large range
of coarse and salmonid species |
|
Pomphorhynchus laevis |
Riverine
coarse fish and salmonids.
|
|
Novel
parasites |
Lernea
sp. |
Cyprinids
|
|
Pellucidhaptor pricei |
Common
bream. Potential range unknown. |
|
Philometroides
sp.
|
Crucian carp
and goldfish. |
|
Tracheliastes
sp. |
Range of
coarse fish species, potentially salmonids. |
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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_______________
River Slea - a great place to fish
|
31st July 2008 Environment Agency -
Press Release
An Environment
Agency survey has shown that the number and variety of fish in the
River Slea has returned to normal, five years after a pollution
incident decimated populations.
In 2003, hundreds of
litres of pesticides were washed into the River Slea and although
the Environment Agency was quick to try to contain the incident,
around 100,000 fish were killed and all other aquatic life was
wiped out. This year’s fish survey shows that the river is well
on the way to recovery with a range of fish being caught including
elvers, brown trout, pike and perch.
The Environment
Agency has restocked the river with nearly 40,000 fish since 2003,
partly paid for by the prosecution of the people responsible for
the pollution incident. The size of some of the fish caught shows
that adult fish are also entering the Slea from the River Witham.
Chris Reeds of the
Environment Agency said: ‘This is excellent news.
Good numbers of fish indicate a really healthy river
environment, in stark contrast to the aftermath of the pollution
in 2003. Hopefully we’ll see anglers returning to the river in the
near future.’
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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______________
Elver fishermen fined for using
illegal nets
|
25th July 2008 Environment Agency - Press Release
Elver fishermen fined for using illegal nets
Three men caught fishing for elvers with illegal nets have been ordered to pay £4,509 in fines and costs. The case was brought by the Environment Agency.
Environment Agency bailiffs were carrying out routine checks on the River Parrett at Bridgwater on March 5, 2008, when they found Paul Squire fishing with a fixed net.
An elver dip net should only be operated by hand. Officer’s saw that Squire had attached a rope and float to his net and fixed the net handle to the riverbank using a stake. A series of long poles had been attached to the net to keep it in a fixed position in the river.
A net used in this way, known as a ‘fixed engine’, gives a fisherman an unfair advantage and enables him to catch more than his fair share of elvers. Eel numbers have declined in recent years and it is important stocks are not over-fished.
Squire, of Chilton Street, Bridgwater, was fined £700 and ordered to pay £925 costs by local magistrates after pleading guilty to four fishing offences of contravening the National Eel Fishing Byelaws 2004 and the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Paul Meare, of Osborne Road, Bridgwater, who was fishing with Squire, admitted three offences and was fined £525 and ordered to pay costs of £847.
In a separate incident on February 22, Steven Riddle, of Penzoy Avenue, Bridgwater, was caught on the River Parrett using an illegal elver net. He admitted three offences and was fined £525 and was also ordered to pay full costs of £987.
All three men had nets and equipment seized at the time of the offences. The court ordered these items to be destroyed.
In his summing up the magistrate at Bridgwater told the fishermen they were lucky not to be banned from elver fishing. He added if they were caught in the future a very heavy fine would be imposed and a ban would be part of that sentence.
‘Illegal fishing damages eel stocks, is detrimental to the environment and unfair to law abiding fishermen. We will not tolerate the use of fixed nets and will prosecute anyone we catch fishing illegally 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 peaked at £525 per kilogram. They currently fetch around £200 per kilogram.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
|
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____________________
Midland's Summer Blitz Traps
Forty-Nine
|
21st
July 2008 Environment Agency -
Press Release
Summer Blitz Traps Forty-Nine
49 rod licence
cheats have been reeled in by the Environment Agency during a
licence blitz across the Midlands throughout July. With a
massive surge in anglers taking to the waters over the course of
the school holidays, the Environment Agency is urging everyone to
ensure their licences are up to date. Those who try to avoid
purchasing a rod licence face the summer blues with a hefty fine
of up to £2,500 and a criminal record.
With the arrival
of the summer holidays and National Fishing Week, now is the
perfect time to enjoy a leisurely day out with the family,
enjoying the surrounding wildlife while your little nippers try
and catch their first fish. However, before you start packing your
tackle and your picnic, you must ensure that everyone over 12 has
a valid licence. The money that comes from rod licences is vital
to maintaining the lifeblood of Midland fisheries and shows your
support for this popular sport.
Martin Cooper,
for the Environment Agency says: “It’s fantastic to see so many
people purchasing their licences and ensuring the whole family can
have a great day out fishing. Unfortunately there are still those
who try to break the law and cheat their fellow anglers by
refusing to buy a licence.”
To coincide with
the summer break, Environment Agency Bailiffs will be carrying out
further licence blitzes across the Midlands fisheries to hook any
rod licence cheats.
Mr Cooper
continued: “So far our officers have visited numerous sites across
the region, checking over 1,300
anglers. Thanks to their rigorous checks we can put a stop to
those that are trying to damage this sport. The message is clear,
buy a licence or pay the penalties”
With the option to pay via direct debit, you
can now cut out the need to worry about renewing your licence.
Alternatively, you can hook yourself a rod licence from the
Environment Agency website:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk,
by giving our sales team a ring on 0870 1662 662 or by popping
down to your local Post Office.
This summer
don’t let your rod licence be the one that got away.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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______________
King of the
Fens’ comes to Benwick
|
3rd
July 2008
Environment Agency - Press Release
Restored fishery hosts national competition
A national team angling competition, the ‘King of the Fens’, is
going to be hosted by Benwick Angling club on Sunday 6 July on the
Old Nene at Benwick. The club has been chosen to host the
prestigious competition following the restoration of the banks of
the old course of the river by the Environment Agency, in
conjunction with the Middle Level Commissioners, County Farms,
local landowners and Benwick Angling club.
The Environment Agency has spent £20,000 on 40 new angling
platforms installed along the Old Nene river between Chapel Farm
and Halfpenny Toll bridge at Benwick, which allows the fishery to
be used again.
The fishery had a reputation as one of the best competition and
pleasure fisheries in the country, with excellent stocks of roach,
bream and tench, but bank erosion had meant that fishing
practically stopped over the past few years.
Kye Jerrom from the Environment Agency said, “We’re really pleased
that this top class natural fishery is now back in use and has
been chosen to host the ‘King of the Fens’ competition. Rod
licence funds have been used directly to pay for the platforms,
which give local club anglers and anglers from all over the
country access to great fishing all year round.
‘Working with the Middle Level Commissioners, who installed the
platforms, has allowed us to complete this project to a high
standard with a relatively small budget and we hope anglers
nationwide will enjoy coming to fish here.”
Terry Fairbrother Benwick Angling Club Secretary said, “This
project will be great for our club and fishing in Benwick as a
whole. It has improved access and comfort for all anglers and made
the venue safer especially for children and older members. The
platforms were in use from the first day of the season and club
bookings have already increased dramatically as a result of the
improvements. It’s great to see the Environment Agency putting
something back”.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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_________________
Fisherman fined for illegal net
|
1st
July 2008 Environment Agency -
Press Release
Fisherman fined for illegal net
A commercial
fisherman was yesterday (30 June) ordered to pay £2,000 in fines
and costs for setting an illegal gill net in the sea off
Christchurch in an area used by migrating salmon. The case was
brought by the Environment Agency.
On December 15,
2007 Agency officers received a tip-off that a net had been set in
the sea off Avon Beach in Christchurch Bay. The use of fixed nets
is prohibited in this area to protect salmon and sea trout that
regularly pass along the coastline on their way to Christchurch
Harbour. After entering the harbour, the fish make their way up
local rivers to spawn.
On discovering
the net, Agency officers kept it under surveillance until local
fisherman Russell Murphy returned by boat to retrieve his catch.
Although no
salmon or sea trout were found in the net, Murphy had committed an
offence by fishing in what is effectively, a ‘no go’ area for
fixed surface nets. On checking the net, officers found it
contained a number of sea fish including bass, pollack, mullet and
a flounder.
‘Salmon would
have been making their way along to coast towards Christchurch
Harbour at the time of this offence and would, therefore, have
been vulnerable to illegal netting. The offender is a commercial
fishermen and should know where he can and where he can’t fish,’
said Stuart Kingston-Turner for the Environment Agency.
Murphy, of Marine
Drive West, Barton on Sea, New Milton, Hampshire was fined £1000
by Wimborne magistrates and ordered to pay £1000 costs after
pleading guilty to, on December 15, 2007, using an illegal fixed
net in tidal waters off Avon Beach, Christchurch Bay, Christchurch
contrary to the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 and the
Salmon Act 1986.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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________________
Environment Agency prevents oil from entering Hastings
reservoir
|
1st
July 2008
Environment Agency - Press Release
On Friday 28 June, the actions of the Environment Agency prevented
an oil spill entering the Wishing Tree Reservoir in St
Leonards-on-Sea, in East Sussex.
The Environment Agency received a report of
oil entering the reservoir and attended the site to investigate.
This is a major amenity in the Hastings area and is very popular
with anglers. When Environment Officers investigated, they found
the stream that flows into the reservoir was covered in thick
black engine oil. With help from Southern Water, investigations
took place including visits to a number of industrial units in the
area, but the source of oil could not be traced.
Operations Delivery staff from the Environment Agency have
deployed a number of methods to prevent the oil from entering the
reservoir. They installed two types of boom, one which acts as a
barrier and one to absorb the substance. There is also a special
type of fibrous material which floats on the surface of the water
and absorbs the oil.
Rebecca Long, Environment Agency Officer said:
“This could have been a serious situation if we had not acted
quickly to prevent further spreading of the oil. The Wishing Tree
Reservoir is an important site for wildlife as well as a being a
popular place for anglers and for other recreational activities.
“We have been unable to determine the cause of this particular
incident, but we will be monitoring the site regularly. Even the
smallest amount of oil put down a drain can have a devastating
effect on the environment. All waste oil should be disposed of
correctly and taken to the local civic amenity site.”
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
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|
___________________
Deal to secure future of historic Severn fishery
_____________________
Elver
fishermen banned for using illegal nets
|
26th June 2008 Environment Agency -
National Press Office
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Two elver fishermen face lengthy bans after being caught with
illegal nets on the River Parrett in Somerset. Neil Champion from
Bridgwater and Mark Bailey from Street were also ordered to pay
more than £4,000 in fines and costs and had their fishing
equipment confiscated and destroyed by the Environment Agency.
Fishing for elvers or glass eels 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.
On February 8, 2008 Agency bailiffs were carrying out routine
licence checks on the tidal Parrett near Bridgwater when they
found Neil Champion and Mark Bailey using elver nets in
conjunction with a pole and a rope tethered to the riverbank. Nets
fixed in this manner are prohibited under the National Eel Fishing
Byelaws 2004.
Both men were in possession of elver licences and should have been
aware of the byelaws that clearly state dip nets must only be
operated by hand and not have any other instrument attached.
The elver fishery on the River Parret supports a number of
licensed netsmen. A licence costs £69.00 a year. Fishermen catch
the baby eels as they enter freshwater after swimming from the
Sargasso Sea.
Elver fishing can be very lucrative. In 2005 they peaked at £525
per kilogram. Elvers currently fetch approximately £200 a
kilogram. The use of fixed nets and other illegal methods gives
offenders an unfair advantage and enables them to catch more than
their fair share of elvers.
‘The Environment Agency will not tolerate illegal fishing as it is
damaging eels stocks and is both detrimental to the environment
and unfair to law-abiding fishermen. We hope this case sends out a
clear message that people caught fishing unlawfully will be
prosecuted,’ said Richard Dearnley for the Environment Agency.
On Wednesday (25 June) Bailey and Champion were each fined £1,000
by Bridgwater magistrates and disqualified from holding an elver
licence for three and two years respectively. Bailey, of
Houndswood Drove, Street was also ordered to pay £1,003 costs and
a £15 victim surcharge. Champion, of Waterfod Close, Bridgwater
was ordered to pay £1,035 costs.
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_______________
Derwent fish ‘no cause for concern’
|
20th
June 2008 Environment Agency - National
Press Office
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has reassured the Environment
Agency that they found no cause for concern in test results from
fish samples taken recently from the River Derwent following the
silt incident at Glebe Mines in January 2007. This is the second
batch of fish samples to be checked and cleared by the FSA since
the incident.
Having assessed the results of tests on fish samples for the
presence of heavy metals, the FSA concluded that the food safety
risk from consuming grayling and trout from this site would be
minimal. None of the results gave cause for concern.
They found that the levels of lead, copper, zinc, and arsenic in
the Derwent fish samples were not significantly different from
levels normally observed in fish. Concentrations of lead, mercury
and cadmium were below permitted limits. They assessed that
consuming three 140g portions of the fish in a week would
contribute to only 8% of the safety guideline for cadmium.
Mark Cunningham, the Team Leader who led the investigation said,
"There has been some speculation about the safety of the fish and
I hope the outcome of the FSA’s assessment will help to put minds
at rest. We will continue to monitor the river for as long as it
takes."
Jillian Spindura from the Food Standards
Agency said: “The results of our
tests showed there is no cause for concern for consumers. As a
precaution we have also recommended that fish are tested later to
monitor the levels of metals in fish caught here.”
The silt that escaped from the Glebe Mines lagoon was formed from
naturally occurring rock which, due to the local rock formation,
contained background levels of some metals, such as lead. As part
of our monitoring programme, we have taken chemical, biological
and plant samples, as well as fish tissue samples, to determine
whether there was any impact on the food chain. The FSA results
confirm that there has been no impact .
Immediately after the incident the Environment Agency began a
detailed investigation. This was split into three phases:-
-
The formal investigation, looking into the cause of the
incident, which has now been completed. The case file has been
sent to our legal team for a decision on whether further action
should be taken.
-
The recovery phase, concerned with the removal of the silt. We
have assessed the best method of removing the silt without
causing harm to the environment and work is underway.
-
The monitoring phase, looking at the short and longer term
impacts, which is ongoing.
Our monitoring programme began immediately after the incident.
As well as any possible impact on the food chain, we were
concerned about the physical effects of the silt on the stream
bed. The incident left a blanket of sludge which covered the
stream bed and deposits could be seen in the river at Calver. This
blanketing had an immediate effect on the invertebrates (the small
water creatures that fish feed on) but our tests have shown that
they recovered rapidly.
We were also concerned that the silt could have settled into the
river gravels, damaging the habitat for invertebrates and making
the gravels unsuitable for fish to spawn in. We took samples of
the bed of the stream for analysis. The initial tests did show
some local impact, so we have recently repeated the work. This
will help in determining how successful the clean up will be.
We will continue to monitor the river for the foreseeable future
and modify our programme in light of our understanding of the
effects of the pollution. However, to date we have not found
anything which causes us concern.
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|
______________
Filey netsman asked to suspend fishing
|
20th
June 2008 Environment Agency - National
Press Office
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
The Environment Agency have asked licensed net fisherman in Filey
Bay near Scarborough to voluntarily suspend fishing after agreed
trigger levels of seabird by-catch were reached this week.
Seven netsmen are licensed by the Environment Agency to catch
salmon and sea-trout using fixed nets at Filey Bay, an activity
that has taken place here for the last 50 years.
Over the last few years there has been increasing evidence that
the nets are trapping and drowning sea birds – including
guillemots, puffins, razorbills and gannets. An agreement was
reached last year between the Environment Agency, Natural England
(NE), RSPB and the fisherman to voluntarily stop fishing when
certain trigger levels of sea bird by-catch are reached. These
levels have been set by Natural England and adopt a ‘precautionary
approach’ that prevents the fishery from having an impact on the
internationally important seabird colonies on Flamborough Head
Environment Agency Area Environment Manager Mark Scott said: “the
Environment Agency has contacted all seven fishermen today, asking
them to voluntarily suspend netting for two weeks after by-catch
trigger levels were reached.
“This a unique set of circumstances which have required us to find
a way forward that is in everyone’s interests. We hope the
suspension of fishing will be seen by everyone involved as
positive step.”
Natural England's Regional Director Peter Nottage said: "Natural
England has a legal duty to protect these internationally
important seabird colonies. We have been concerned about this
issue for some time and have been working with all parties to
reach a solution.
“This week, the by-catch levels were exceeded and we advised the
Environment Agency to remove the nets from Filey Bay. We are
pleased with the speed at which the Environment Agency has
responded to our advice. We will continue to work closely
together over the next two weeks to agree actions, ensuring
further impacts are prevented when the fisheries reopen."
The Environment Agency is funding a three-year research project to
understand the implications of altering the current fishing
season, to reduce the levels of by-catch.
Mr Scott said: “We want to
find a sustainable solution which allows birds, fish and local
economy to benefit from this high quality environment.
“It
may be that stopping fishing at particularly vulnerable times,
such as during breeding times, could help protect the birds. All
management options will be considered.”
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________________
No record perch –
just a big fine for illegal angler
|
19th
June 2008 Environment Agency - National
Press Office
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
An illegal angler could
have had the catch of the year with a national record size perch
weighing in at 6lb 2oz – if only he had bought a rod licence and
asked the fishery owner for their permission to fish.
Today, Thursday (19 June), at North Surrey Magistrates Court,
Robert Townsend was ordered to pay a total of £290 in fines and
costs to the Environment Agency for fishing without a valid rod
licence.
“This sends a clear message to people who think they can fish
where and when they like without a valid rod licence – it won’t be
tolerated. Over 1.3 million people pay to fish legally in England
and Wales each year; these honest people help fund our work to
protect and improve fish populations,” Dafydd Evans, Head of
Fisheries at the Environment Agency, said.
“It is important that anglers have their rod licences with them at
all times when fishing. If you are caught fishing without one, you
are cheating other anglers and could face a fine of up to £2,500.”
Robert Townsend, 41, from Surrey, was found to be fishing
illegally when he tried to make a claim for the record fish
captured on 31 December 2007 at Thames Ditton, Surrey, along the
River Thames.
Any angler aged 12 years or over, fishing for salmon, trout,
freshwater fish or eels in England, Wales or the Border Esk and
its tributaries in Scotland must have an Environment Agency rod
licence. The cost of an annual coarse and trout licence is £25.
Last year, the Environment Agency invested approximately £30
million in improving fish stocks and angling opportunities, with
some £20 million of this coming from rod licence fees. The money
raised through rod licence sales is invested directly in fisheries
work that benefits all anglers.
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 licence fees for 2007/2008 are as follows:-
Coarse and trout 2007/2008
Salmon and sea trout 2007/2008
Full £25.00
Full £68.00
Junior £5.00
Junior £5.00
8 day £9.00
8 day £22.00
1 day £3.50
1 day £7.50
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____________________
May 2008 rod licence
prosecutions
|
16th
June 2008 Environment Agency - National
Press Office
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Over 200 anglers were brought in front of the courts by the
Environment Agency in May for fishing without a valid rod licence,
resulting in more than £35,000 in fines and costs. Guilty
defendants had to fork out an average of £150 each – the
equivalent of buying a coarse rod licence six times over.
Dafydd Evans, Head of Fisheries at the Environment Agency, said:
“Our enforcement officers target rivers, lakes and other waters
where we believe cheats are present, and we are better equipped
than ever. With access to databases at the switch of a mobile
phone they can verify address and licence details, making it
easier to catch licence evaders.
“A number of anglers believed a licence was valid for 12 months
from the date of purchase. This is not the case. All rod licences
expire on 31 March. To make the most of your licence, renew it
soon and maximise its use for the year. Failure to have valid rod
licence is an offence.”
Last year, the Environment Agency invested approximately £30
million in improving fish stocks and angling opportunities, with
some £20 million of this coming from rod licence fees. The money
raised through rod licence sales is invested directly in fisheries
work that benefits all anglers.
Fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish and eels in England and
Wales and the Border Esk in Scotland requires a licence from the
Environment Agency. Those caught fishing illegally face tough
penalties, including fines of up to £2,500 and a ban from fishing.
Our new charges for rod licences for 2008-09 financial year have
now come into effect. For 2008/09 a full season coarse and trout
fishing licence costs just £25.00 and a salmon and sea trout
licence costs £68.00. There is also a range of concessionary,
junior, eight day and one day licences available.
Buying a new licence couldn’t be easier – around 15,000 Post
Offices and other outlets sell them; a direct debit can be set up,
and they can be purchased over the phone on 0870 1662662 or online
at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence any time, day or
night.
|
| |
|
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN |
| |
|
Region |
Defendants prosecuted |
Total fines |
Total costs |
Cautions |
| |
|
Anglian
Midlands
North East
North West
Southern
South West
Thames
Wales |
46
45
17
14
14
12
78
2 |
6095
2775
£1,340
£825
£945
£795
£7,475
£250 |
£3,290
£2,780
£1,175
£1,025
£865
£900
£5,293
£145 |
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
228 |
£20,500 |
£15,473 |
1 |
|
|
Return to top of Page
_______________
Rod licence blitz brings positive
results
|
9th
June 2008 Environment Agency - National
Press Office
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
More than 8,200 anglers
were checked for a valid rod licence by Environment Agency
officers over the May Bank Holiday, with the evasion rate
continuing to fall for the fourth year in a row.
Dafydd Evans, Head of Fisheries at the Environment Agency, said:
“Our enforcement teams were out patrolling the waters making sure
anglers were licenced to fish.
“We checked 8,231 anglers at 948 waters across England and Wales
between 24-26 May, and caught 387 illegal anglers. With the use of
mobile technology our teams were better equipped than ever with
access to rod licence databases to verify licences.
“It great to see the message is sinking in with evading anglers,
as the rate of evasion has dropped from just under 6% in the May
2007 blitz to less than 5% this time round. A small number of
anglers believed a licence was valid for 12 months from the date
of purchase. This is not case – all rod licences expire on 31
March.”
Reports from various regions include:
New, fully licenced anglers were spotted on river banks in the
North West who told officers they had recently started to fish
after watching fishing programmes on television.
Four illegal crayfish traps and one drop net were seized after
being used at Sandford Lock on the River Thames.
An arrest was made on the Bank Holiday Monday at Cwmbran Boating
Lake after an unlicensed offender became abusive when his rods
were going to be seized. Cwmbran Police have released him pending
a court appearance.
Dafydd Evans continued: “Our enforcement officers target rivers,
lakes and other waters where we believe cheats are present. These
offenders are not only acting illegally, but also cheating
licenced anglers as the money raised through rod licence sales is
invested directly in fisheries work to benefit all anglers.”
Last year, the Environment Agency invested around £30 million in
improving fish stocks and angling opportunities, with some £20
million of this coming from rod licence fees.
Fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish and eels in England and
Wales and the Border Esk in Scotland requires a licence from the
Environment Agency. Those caught fishing illegally face tough
penalties, including fines of up to £2,500 and a ban from fishing.
For 2008/2009 a full season coarse and trout fishing licence costs
just £25.00 and a salmon and sea trout licence costs £68.00. There
is also a range of concessionary, junior, eight-day and one day
licences.
Buying a new licence couldn’t be easier – around 15,000 Post
Offices and other outlets sell them; a direct debit can be set up,
and they can be purchased over the phone on 0870 1662662 or online
at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence any time, day or
night. |
| |
|
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Region |
Waters visited |
Anglers checked |
Offences |
Evasion rate |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Anglian
Midlands
North East
North West
Southern
South West
Thames
Wales |
212
62
233
127
67
94
86
67 |
1,462
1,397
1,750
974
450
585
712
901 |
35
41
83
54
14
20
74
66 |
2.3%
2.9%
4.7%
5.5%
3.1%
3.4%
10.3%
7.3% |
|
|
Return to top of Page
___________________
Boscastle salmon boost
|
9th June 2008 Environment Agency -
National Press Office
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Salmon are making a comeback in the River Valency – the main river flowing through Boscastle.
In 2004 more than 70 vehicles were washed out of Boscastle car park and into the harbour after the River Valency burst its banks in one of the worst floods in living memory. A number of local buildings were extensively damaged.
The flood waters also swept away salmon spawning gravel and most of the young fish in the river at the time. This exceptional event resulted in local salmon and trout numbers slumping to a 20 year low.
Four years on the once turbulent Valency is flowing more sedately and the risk of further flood devastation has been reduced thanks to a £5 million Environment Agency flood defence scheme due to be completed this summer.
Agency officers recently carried out a fish rescue on the River Valency to enable contractors to build a storage lagoon upstream of the main Boscastle car park. As well as brown trout and eels, they found a surprising number of young salmon or smolts.
The young salmon were re-located further down the Valency away from the area where the contractors were about to start work. Two years old and approximately six inches in length, the smolts are ready to leave the river and migrate to sea.
‘We are delighted Boscastle still has a thriving population of salmon after all the work that has taken place since the 2004. Hopefully, some of the smolts rescued by the Agency will mature at sea and return to the Valency to spawn. Despite the national decline in salmon stocks, many rivers in Cornwall have healthy or increasing fish numbers’ said Simon Toms for the Environment Agency.
‘Salmon are highly sensitive to the quality of their surroundings. The increase in numbers is probably due to several factors including habitat improvements, a reduction in the netting of wild salmon at sea and the efforts of local people, landowners and businesses,’ said Simon Toms.
As well as the Valency, the Agency recently found salmon on the Porth River near Newquay and sea trout in Bude Canal.
The Agency does not normally monitor fish numbers on the Valency and directs its resources, instead, on Cornwall’s larger rivers such as the Camel and Fowey that have their own Salmon Action Plans. The fish rescue operation at Boscastle provided officers with a valuable opportunity to carry out a health check on the river.
|
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_____________________
Learn fly fishing, for free
|
Free fly fishing taster sessions are being
offered over the summer months by the Environment Agency in the
Bishop Auckland, Seaham and Ponteland areas.
All sessions are suitable for 12 year olds and upwards, and run
from 10am to 4pm. All equipment is provided, and people should
bring a packed lunch and wrap up warmly, in case the weather isn't
good.
The dates and locations are:
• Witton Castle Lakes, Bishop Auckland: 8 June, 6 July, 24 August
- each session is for a maximum of 20 people.
• Sharpley Springs, Seaham: 14 June, 16 August - a maximum of 15
people per session.
• Higham Lakes, Ponteland: 19 July, 6 September - maximum of 20
people per session.
Colin Thrower, of the Environment Agencies fisheries team, is
organising the sessions. He said:
“Angling is open to anyone no matter how old they are or what
their ability is, and we’ve organised these days so people who’ve
not fished before can get a taster of the sport and hopefully
encourage more people to regularly pick up a fishing rod.
“Here in the North East, we’re lucky to have some of the best
river fishing for salmon and trout and some excellent stillwater
fisheries so people don’t have to travel far for quality fishing
in a great environment.”
To book a place on the sessions please contact Sarah Baillie at
the Environment Agency on 0191 203 4138.
Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
|
Return to top of Page
____________________
April 2008 rod licence prosecutions
|
Over 500 anglers were
brought in front of the courts by the Environment Agency in April for
fishing without a valid rod licence, resulting in more than £79,000 in
fines and costs, and five cautions.
Dafydd Evans, Head of Fisheries at the Environment Agency said: “Our
enforcement officers target rivers, lakes and other waters where we
believe cheats are present, and we are better equipped than ever. With
access to databases at the switch of a mobile phone they can verify
address and licence details, making it easier to catch licence evaders.
“A number of anglers believed a licence was valid for 12 months from the
date of purchase. This is not the case. All rod licences expire on 31
March. To make the most of your licence, renew it soon and maximise its
use for the year. Failure to have valid rod licence is an offence.”
Last year, the Environment Agency invested approximately £30 million in
improving fish stocks and angling opportunities, with some £20 million
of this coming from rod licence fees. The money raised through rod
licence sales is invested directly in fisheries work that benefits all
anglers.
Fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish and eels in England and Wales
and the Border Esk in Scotland requires a licence from the Environment
Agency. Those caught fishing illegally face tough penalties, including
fines of up to £2,500 and a ban from fishing.
Our new charges for rod licences for 2008-09 financial year have now
come into effect. For 2008/09 a full season coarse and trout fishing
licence costs just £25.00 and a salmon and sea trout licence costs
£68.00. There is also a range of concessionary, junior, eight day and
one day licences available.
Buying a new
licence couldn’t be easier – around 15,000 Post Offices and other
outlets sell them; a direct debit can be set up, and they can be
purchased over the phone (0870 1662662) or online at
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence
any time, day or night.
|
| |
|
Region |
Prosecuted |
Total fines |
Total costs |
Cautions |
| |
|
Anglian
Midlands
North East
North West
Southern
South West
Thames
Wales |
44 |
£3,405 |
£2,955 |
2
1
0
0
1
0
1
0 |
|
64 |
£4,770 |
£4,920
|
| 35 |
£1,977 |
£2,195 |
| 70 |
£4,963 |
£5,425 |
| 47 |
£4,090 |
£3,165 |
| 33 |
£1,610 |
£2,275 |
|
191 |
£15,328 |
£12,900 |
|
57 |
£5,139 |
£4,125 |
| |
|
Total |
541 |
£41,282 |
£37,960 |
5 |
|
|
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________________
|
North
West Region news...
Over
£3,000 for Fishing without a Licence
Extract from
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Author: Rachel Fielding
Date published: 18-Apr-2008
21 men from Liverpool and Merseyside have
been fined £1,175 plus £1,550 costs and an additional £315 in
victims surcharges after being caught fishing without a rod
licence.
All 21 men were caught by Environment Agency Officers at three
fisheries in Formby, Rosemary Wood, Carr Side and Red Squirrel
Pool between August and September last year (2007).
Richard McIlwaine, Environment Agency Fisheries Team Leader, said:
“As these men have discovered its illegal to fish without a valid
licence. Those who dodge licence fees cheat fellow anglers out of
vital investment into their sport.
“Money generated from rod licence sales is ploughed directly back
into improving facilities and getting more people out fishing.
It’s also used to protect vulnerable fish stocks and carryout
habitat improvements.”
Anyone aged over 12 who fishes for salmon, trout, freshwater fish
or eels in England, Wales or the Border Esk in Scotland is
required to have a rod licence by law.
The Environment Agency’s “Now Pay Attention Mr Pond” campaign in
currently in full swing prompting North West anglers to buy a new
licence for this year.
Accompanied by his very own ‘Pond Girl’, Miss Deepwater, the pair
are reminding anglers that if they’re caught fishing without a
licence their tackle could be seized and they could face a fine of
up to £2,500. You can catch Mr Pond – Licensed to Fish and Miss
Deepwater in adverts, posters and on Environment Agency vehicles
throughout the North West region.
Rod licences cost as little as £3.50 for one day’s coarse fishing
and there is also a range of weekly, full year, concessionary and
junior licences. All annual licences expire on 31 March each year.
For more information log on to
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence
or call 08708 506506 (8am – 6pm
weekdays)
|
_________________
|
Monster chub
on the Tyne
Extract from
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Author: Rob Walsh
Date published: 22-May-2008
Environment Agency officers working on the River Tyne had a big
surprise recently when they caught an impressive specimen of chub
in their fish trap at Riding Mill, near Hexham.
Measuring 54cm in length and weighing in at an impressive 6lbs,
the fish is one of the largest recorded from the River Tyne.
Ecological Appraisal Officer Niall Cook said: “Our fish trap is
set up to monitor salmon and sea trout stocks, as part of the
impact assessment for the second Tyne Tunnel development, which is
being funded by the Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority.
However, coarse fish are also caught, as well as unusual species
such as sea lamprey.”
“The capture of this large chub is yet another indication of how
well stocks of coarse fish in the Tyne are doing nowadays. It also
hints at the presence of much larger chub in the river that could
perhaps rival the specimens of over 8lb caught on the River Wear
in past seasons.
“By taking a sample of scales from the fish and looking at growth
rings through a microscope we were able to tell that the fish was
at least 13 or 14 years old.”
The British record for a chub is a fish of 9lb 5oz caught by Andy
Maker from an undisclosed stillwater in 2007.
All fish caught in the Riding Mill fish trap are returned unharmed
to the water once they have been scientifically sampled.
|
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________________
Elver fisherman fined for
using illegal net
|
Extract from
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Author: Mike Dunning
Date published: 2-Jun-2008
A Bridgwater man caught fishing for elvers
with an illegal net has been ordered to pay £1,000 in fines and
costs.
Environment Agency bailiffs were carrying out routine checks on
the River Parrett at Saltlands, Bridgwater on February 7, 2008
when they found Matthew Godbeer fishing with a fixed net.
An elver dip net should only be operated by hand. Officer’s saw
that Godbeer had attached a rope and float to his net and fixed
the net handle to the riverbank using a stake. A series of long
poles had been attached to the net to keep it in a fixed position
in the river.
A net used in this way, known as a ‘fixed engine’, gives a
fisherman an unfair advantage and enables him to catch more than
his fair share of elvers. Eel numbers have declined in recent
years and it is important stocks are not over-fished.
After questioning Godbeer, Agency officers seized his net and
equipment.
‘Illegal fishing damages eel stocks, is detrimental the
environment and unfair to law abiding fishermen. We will not
tolerate the use of fixed nets and will prosecute anyone we catch
fishing illegally on the River Parrett,’ said Richard Dearnley for
the Environment Agency.
Godbeer, 20, of 66 King George Avenue, Bridgwater, was fined £500
and ordered to pay £500 costs by local magistrates after pleading
guilty to contravening the National Eel Fishing Byelaws 2004 and
the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
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 peaked at £525 per
kilogram. They currently fetch around £200 per kilogram.
|
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___________________
Man caught netting
illegally in Aberystwyth
|
Extract from
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Author: Curig Jones
Date published: 30-May-2008
At around dawn last week (22/05/08) Environment Agency Wales
Enforcement Officers, on a routine patrol saw a net set near the
harbour at Aberystwyth. One man was seen to check and lift the net
from a boat and return to the harbour and moor up.
When he landed, he was stopped by the two officers and asked to
show his catch. The catch consisted of some small mackerel, spider
crabs and two sewin (sea trout) of around 5lb in weight each.
Taking salmon or sea trout by any unlicensed method is illegal.
Local byelaws also prevent netting in this area, as they do around
other river mouths.
Environment Agency Wales will now be considering its next step, in
line with its Enforcement Policy.
|
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