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 As salmon return to Cornwall’s rivers to spawn members of the public have been asked to become the ‘Eyes and Ears’ of the Environment Agency in the latest crackdown on salmon poachers.
Salmon are especially vulnerable at this time of the year as they make their way up rivers such as the Tamar to spawn. In addition to man-made and natural obstacles such as fish passes and weirs, the fish have to run the gauntlet of poachers.
Operation ‘Eyes and Ears’ seeks to enlist the help of people with a keen interest in Cornwall’s top-quality salmon rivers to stop salmon poachers in their tracks. By reporting suspicious behaviour to the Agency’s free 24 hour hotline 0800 80 70 60, members of the public can help bring poachers to book.
The better the information, the more effective the Environment Agency can be in catching and successfully prosecuting poachers. To raise awareness, a special leaflet has been prepared and is being distributed to fishery owners and anyone else keen to safeguard Cornwall’s salmon stocks.
When reporting suspicious activities on the Duchy’s riverbanks, people need to record what they saw, where they saw it, the date and time plus descriptions of people and vehicle registrations. Speed is essential as the sooner the Agency’s fisheries enforcement officers receive a ‘tip-off’ the faster they can act.
‘The illegal removal of spawning salmon from Cornish rivers is putting future salmon stocks at risk. It is vital these mature fish reach their spawning grounds in the headwaters of our prime salmon rivers such as the Tamar. Members of the public can play a vital role in helping catch salmon poachers by supporting our Eyes and Ears campaign,’ said Megan Evans for the Environment Agency.
People can report an incident anonymously if they wish. All information will be treated in strict
confidence.
Source: The Environment Agency
Contact: mike.dunning@environment-agency.gov.uk
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Eight people who went fishing without first buying a licence landed themselves with £1,300 in fines and costs this week, in prosecutions brought by Environment Agency Wales.
Fishing without a licence is an offence under Section 27(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
At Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on 15 November 2006 five men were prosecuted in connection with offences at Llwyn-Onn Reservoir, near Merthyr Tydfil.
At Mold Magistrates’ Court on 15 November 2006, two men were prosecuted who had been seen fishing for coarse fish at Wepre Pool, Connah’ Quay on 6 May 2006 and one man was prosecuted who had been seen fishing for coarse fish at Llyn Gweryd, Llanarmon-yn-Ial on 1 May 2006.
Following the cases an Agency spokesperson commented:
'The income from rod licence sales is re-invested in improvements to fisheries. Our licences are good value, and can cost as little as £3.25. By cheating the system these offenders are depriving their fellow anglers of much-needed income. Our enforcement officers will continue to carry out checks, and we will prosecute any offenders caught, in line with our enforcement policy.'
Source: The Environment Agency
Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
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Irish and European anglers welcome Government decision to close the Irish Drift Net Fishery
 The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) and Federation of Irish Salmon and Seatrout Anglers (FISSTA) have welcomed the recent ruling by the Irish Government to adopt the Independent Salmon Group Report to immediately terminate mixed stock fisheries. A compensation fund of €30 million has been approved to pay commercial driftnet fishermen over five times their annual salmon income to prevent Ireland from breaching the EU Habitats directive in 2007.
Marine Minister Noel Dempsey TD, is to be commended for taking the Independent Salmon Group's (ISG) recommendations to ban drift netting to the Cabinet, despite facing much opposition. With the Irish driftnets removed, there is new hope for a recovery process and salmon regeneration throughout European rivers. Other nearby countries such as Greenland, Faroe Islands and Iceland, who enforce catch restrictions and/or buyouts, will now see some reward for their decision to forego netting rights to fish for salmon as a part of an international drive to help speed the resurgence process.
The European Angler’s Alliance (EAA) was recently joined in Brussels with Ireland's premier salmon angling body, Federation of Irish Salmon and Seatrout Anglers (FISSTA). FISSTA has a long history of campaigning with the Irish Government in conjunction with the North Atlantic Salmon Fund.
In 2004, FISSTA decided to form a united angling and stakeholders group to lobby the politicians in what later became known as 'Stopnow'. The success of this campaign is credited with speeding the decision to end the damaging practice. Anglers have more than welcomed the news, which has been long overdue, after years of protesting the use of commercial nets off the Irish coast. Scientific evidence has historically supported the need for a ban to ensure the long-term survival of Irish & EU salmon stocks.
The EAA secretariat, accompanied by the support of EFTTA, have assisted FISSTA in ensuring that all EU obligations in the protection of the salmon habitat are met. EAA has led the non-Government organisations salmon campaign with the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) for over 15 years.
EFTTA are thrilled with the decision and appreciate the effort of those involved in this lengthy campaign, particularly to Marine Minister Noel Dempsey TD, for taking the ISG recommendations to ban drift-netting.
With the ban successfully reaching the Cabinet level, and making history, there now comes the responsibility for Irish salmon anglers and stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of more salmon returning to Irish rivers are translated into enhanced stocks and a sustainable angling and recreational industry. EFTTA will continue to hear from FISSTA on their level of progress.
Source: www.eftta.com
Contact: info@eftta.com
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