Ian Grant
Senior Member & Supporter
Hot air ? lets hope not, and that finally this new legislation will give the EA some teeth, - we shall see
Ian.
Tuesday 9 February 2010
Carppoaching - epetition response
We received a petition asking:
“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to provide funding to cover frequent nightly security patrols on UK canals, lakes and rivers to protect and prevent decimation of our wildlife.â€
Details of Petition:
“There have been more and more cases of eastern europeans illegally fishing our canals for carp and other specimens of fish at night, not by catch and release but to eat them. This includes swans and ducks. These people do not have licences,do not use the proper fishing tackle and equipment and are destroying our wildlife in large numbers. There needs to be tougher legislation in place to stop this activity, not just signs, deportation or arrest. Please support and put an end to this barbaric activity taking place.â€
· Read the petition
· Petitions homepage
Read the Government’s response
The Government is aware of the concern over the impact of illegal angling or poaching of freshwater coarse fish, such as carp.
The issue is being addressed through new national fisheries byelaws. The Environment Agency (EA) expects to introduce these in the spring of 2010. The byelaw will make it illegal to remove any fish from still waters and canals without the owner’s written permission. For rivers, the byelaw is slightly more complex and sets limits on the take of certain listed species, including carp and perch.
The proposed byelaws and supporting information, can be viewed on the EA’s website at: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/fishing/114281.aspx
The enforcement of the new byelaws will be critical. The EA will be acting on reports and intelligence, focusing efforts on problem sites. It is also looking at how it can improve its ability to respond to incidents reported at night and weekends.
In relation to the taking of swans and ducks, all wild birds are afforded statutory protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Subject to certain exemptions, it is an offence under section 1 of the 1981 Act to kill, injure or take any wild bird; to take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built; or to take or destroy an egg of any wild bird.
Legislation is in place therefore to ensure swans and ducks are protected.
The UK Government has no plans to introduce nightly security patrols on UK canals, lakes and rivers. The EA is committed to enforcing fisheries legislation, with priority given to those incidents likely to have the biggest impact on fish stocks. Offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are enforced mainly by the Police. Members of the public are, therefore, encouraged to report any incidents of illegal fishing to the EA, and any incidents of the illegal killing of wild birds to the police, as soon as possible.
Ian.
Tuesday 9 February 2010
Carppoaching - epetition response
We received a petition asking:
“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to provide funding to cover frequent nightly security patrols on UK canals, lakes and rivers to protect and prevent decimation of our wildlife.â€
Details of Petition:
“There have been more and more cases of eastern europeans illegally fishing our canals for carp and other specimens of fish at night, not by catch and release but to eat them. This includes swans and ducks. These people do not have licences,do not use the proper fishing tackle and equipment and are destroying our wildlife in large numbers. There needs to be tougher legislation in place to stop this activity, not just signs, deportation or arrest. Please support and put an end to this barbaric activity taking place.â€
· Read the petition
· Petitions homepage
Read the Government’s response
The Government is aware of the concern over the impact of illegal angling or poaching of freshwater coarse fish, such as carp.
The issue is being addressed through new national fisheries byelaws. The Environment Agency (EA) expects to introduce these in the spring of 2010. The byelaw will make it illegal to remove any fish from still waters and canals without the owner’s written permission. For rivers, the byelaw is slightly more complex and sets limits on the take of certain listed species, including carp and perch.
The proposed byelaws and supporting information, can be viewed on the EA’s website at: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/fishing/114281.aspx
The enforcement of the new byelaws will be critical. The EA will be acting on reports and intelligence, focusing efforts on problem sites. It is also looking at how it can improve its ability to respond to incidents reported at night and weekends.
In relation to the taking of swans and ducks, all wild birds are afforded statutory protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Subject to certain exemptions, it is an offence under section 1 of the 1981 Act to kill, injure or take any wild bird; to take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built; or to take or destroy an egg of any wild bird.
Legislation is in place therefore to ensure swans and ducks are protected.
The UK Government has no plans to introduce nightly security patrols on UK canals, lakes and rivers. The EA is committed to enforcing fisheries legislation, with priority given to those incidents likely to have the biggest impact on fish stocks. Offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are enforced mainly by the Police. Members of the public are, therefore, encouraged to report any incidents of illegal fishing to the EA, and any incidents of the illegal killing of wild birds to the police, as soon as possible.