Francesca Glyn-Jones -
18-Apr-2007 - Environment Agency officers
are reeling after spotting a monster fish
whose size has tipped the scales towards
a River Tyne record.
A chub, weighing an estimated 6.5lbs (2.94
kilogrammes), has been seen in the Tyne
which officers say could be as much as 55
centimetres long, and 20 years old.
The Tyne is best known for its salmon and
sea trout fisheries, and although anglers
can hook bigger chub in the South, the officers
say it is the biggest chub they have seen
in the area.
Environment Agency fisheries specialist
Jon Shelley said: “This monster fish was
caught on camera swimming through our Riding
Mill fish trap. We know there are some chub
in the Tyne but this is a real specimen,
particularly as the Tyne is not renowned
for the species.
“This just goes to show how healthy the
Tyne is, and it is getting better and better
as a coarse fishery. The chub proves that
the Tyne is the place to go for a big catch!”
The team wants to find out more about coarse
fish in the Tyne, and operate a log book
scheme for coarse anglers in the area to
record their catches. Anyone interested
in a log book should contact the Environment
Agency’s Newcastle office. All returned
log books are put into a prize draw at the
end of the season.
The Riding Mill fish trap is set up to
monitor salmon and sea trout. It has a fish
counter, an underwater video system and
two fish traps - one for smolts (young salmon)
and one for adults.
It collects information about the number
of adult fish returning to spawn and juvenile
fish migrating out to sea, as well as the
timing and nature of their migrations. The
information is then used in the management
of the fishery.
Environment Agency staff, based in Newcastle,
were so stunned when their cameras picked
up the giant chub, they sent the photographs
to their national fisheries expert who confirmed
the findings.
The average adult specimen weighs up to
2 kg (4.4lbs), is 30-45 centimetres long
and lives for about 12 years.
Fisheries officers are reminding anglers
that they need to renew their rod licence
for the start of the season. Buying a licence
couldn’t be easier – they are available
by phone, through the Environment Agency’s
website or from the Post Office.
+ More
Environment Agency fisheries officers delighted
with small catch
Tim Abbott - 20-Apr-2007 - The four-day
illegal fishing blitz by Environment Agency
fisheries officers returned a small catch
of offenders – which is good news for wildlife
and anglers.
High Impact Fisheries Enforcement (HIFE)
officers went out over the Bank Holiday
weekend from Friday 6 April to Monday 9
April, to protect the wildlife in rivers
and lakes from a range of illegal activities.
Six reports of illegal fishing, mainly
fishing out of season, were issued following
extensive patrols and a number of calls
from the public across London and the Thames
Valley. These reports of illegal fishing
– three near Enfield and three on the River
Wandle – are now being investigated.
Environment Agency’s strategic specialist
for fisheries Matt Carter said: "Our
officers visited dozens of river locations
across the region where we have caught people
fishing illegally in the past and I’m pleased
that the number of offences detected was
fairly low. The majority of anglers are
law-abiding citizens enjoying their sport
– but we have to continue to watch for those
who are out to spoil it.
"We are pleased with the phone calls
from members of the public who see people
fishing in suspicious circumstances, and
obviously care greatly for their local rivers
and streams. Our officers patrol rivers
and lakes regularly, and do their best to
protect fish and the interests of law abiding
anglers."
Officers patrolled hot spots along the
River Wandle, the River Lea Navigation,
the Lower Mole, in the Tideway and Lower
Thames and along London Docks.
The officers have the same powers as the
police when enforcing fisheries law and
are also trained in surveillance techniques.
The HIFE officers were looking for people
fishing illegally for coarse fish as well
as salmon, sea trout, eels and American
Signal crayfish. The officers were also
on the lookout for people fishing without
a rod licence or using illegal fishing techniques
such as mono-filament nets and fish traps
specifically to capture and remove fish.
Anyone caught fishing without a rod licence
is cheating other anglers and can face fines
of up to £2,500. All the money raised
from rod licence sales is put straight back
into improving the environment such as restocking,
improving habitats and improving access
to fishing for all parts of the community.
Members of the public who see illegal fishing
should immediately contact the Environment
Agency free 24 hour hotline on 0800 80 70
60.
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 (0870 1662662) or from our
web site - www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish.
