28-Jun-2006 - A three-pronged
approach to tackling fish theft in England and
Wales has been proposed by the Environment Agency
at yesterday’s Angling Summit.
Environment Agency fisheries
policy manager Adrian Taylor outlined the approach,
which included:
Investigating the size and scope
of coarse fish theft and illegal netting,
Stepping up education about fisheries law throughout
the community,
Considering whether fish theft can and should
be added to the Environment Agency Enforcement
and Prosecution policy.
Mr Taylor said the Environment Agency’s Fish Movements
Enforcement Team had already started investigations
into fish theft, including the creation of a database
to track any trends in prosecution evidence.
"At the moment there is
mainly anecdotal evidence about the scope and
scale of fish theft. The first thing we need to
do is determine whether any trends exist, so we
know where to target our resources," Mr Taylor
said.
"Secondly we need to step
up education across the board, with the aim of
reducing ignorance about fisheries law and accepted
angling practices."
The third prong in tackling
fish theft is establishing whether the Environment
Agency should prosecute under the Theft Act where
normally the primary responsibility is that of
the police.
"If legal advice suggests
we can prosecute fish thieves, we would consider
revising our policy to include Theft Act offences
where these occur in conjunction with offences
under our fisheries legislation, such as fishing
without a licence," Mr Taylor said.
"Historically the removal
of fish from rivers was common practice, but now
there is a general understanding among anglers
that any fish caught should be returned to the
water. However, anyone fishing legally with a
valid rod licence can keep the fish they catch
as long as they have the fishery owner's permission.
"The Environment Agency
continues to monitor the impact that taking coarse
fish has on fish stocks, but there is currently
no sign that stocks as a whole are suffering."
Terry Fell, speaking on behalf
of the Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust,
said the umbrella organisation for coarse fisherman
had enjoyed good discussion at yesterday’s angling
summit and supported the Environment Agency’s
proposals on tackling fish theft.
"Holding this summit at
the House of Commons emphasises the support being
shown to anglers who are rallying against fish
theft," Mr Fell said.
"But equally its important
for anglers to support the enforcement teams and
give timely reports of possible fish theft cases
they encounter."
Mr Taylor said stealing fish
to stock other waterways posed a far bigger danger
to the future of angling - due to the threat of
spreading disease and pest species - than removal
of fish for the dinner-plate.
"A new fisheries bill would
go some way to solving this problem, by regulating
the fish supply industry and those that visibly
carry species throughout the country. At moment
all the legislation says is that these people
need written approval to stock fish. The Environment
Agency believes this needs to be tightened up."
If you see people breaking
fisheries laws, call 0800 80 70 60.
Head Office Press Office
